| Maybe you've heard some retailers say that at one | | | | needs. |
| time--way back when--they used a pencil and paper | | | | The future of retail technology needs to exist in |
| as a method of tracking inventory? Times have | | | | today's technology. There have been many |
| changed, yes, but just how far have retailers gone to | | | | advancements however many software solutions |
| make the advancements they need to keep up? | | | | require constant upgrades to stay current with |
| Systems administrator Ken Sweeney has been | | | | changing needs. |
| around retail for over ten years and witnessed the | | | | The most cutting-edge retail technology breakthrough |
| antiquated methods of tracking inventory. He is | | | | is the recently released Retail Teamwork™. It's |
| responsible for the technology of one of the leading | | | | the first all-in-one retail solution built on the Microsoft |
| sports and entertainment presenters in the world, AEG | | | | Dynamics platform and delivers real-time reporting. |
| Merchandising. Before the installation of a modern day | | | | According to a news article in Women s Wear Daily, |
| retail point of sale system in 1997, the only methods for | | | | The real-time sales reporting capability of Retail |
| tracking inventory and keeping income and products | | | | Teamwork brought one sports store in Mesa, Arizona |
| organized were kept with pencil and paper. | | | | a 25 percent increase in sales over the holiday |
| It took considerable research to find a technology | | | | season. The new integrated retail system boosted |
| solution suitable for the needs of AEG. After using | | | | sales at this $14 million company. "It gave us an edge |
| retail service provider One Step Data, Sweeney was | | | | we were never able to have," said Just Sports owner |
| able to make the right choice for his company. | | | | Kevin Palmer. |
| But do retailers really know what they need without | | | | Another software solution One Ste Data offers is |
| help of a service provider? | | | | Retail Pro®. This software has long established |
| Today's retail point-of-sale technology needs to have | | | | itself as the standard in store management software |
| certain key features that allow flexibility, as well as | | | | for retailers and has been the leading inventory control |
| total functionality for the retailer. | | | | POS system for small to medium sized retailers. |
| * A system that is scalable. It needs to scale smoothly | | | | Kenco Retail Shops (DBA Famous Brands) had |
| from a single store to a chain of stores. It needs to be | | | | switched from using a cash register to the modern |
| deployed with a stable and scalable database. | | | | day point of sale system Retail Pro when owner Ken |
| * A system that is easy to learn. It needs to have an | | | | Sanchez could no keep up with managing inventory. |
| architecture that is familiar to employees and easy to | | | | Kenco opened its first store in 1992 is now a 12 store |
| use. | | | | women's, men's and children's apparel chain located in |
| * A system that is integrates with other applications. It | | | | the New York metropolitan area. |
| needs to operate on a platform that allows users to | | | | In the beginning, owner Sanchez managed his stores |
| move easily from one application to another, and ties | | | | the "old way" by using cash registers and eye-balling |
| information together without manually re-entering it. | | | | the inventory. Our business had grown to a level |
| * A system with dynamic inventory control. It needs to | | | | where we could no longer keep up. We needed a |
| have superior inventory data structures that preserve | | | | system that would give us the ability to quickly and |
| inventory history. | | | | accurately replenish our inventory," explained Sanchez. |
| * A system that provides easy analysis and reporting. | | | | When you think of a retail management system, think |
| It needs to provide unlimited custom reporting capability | | | | "total control." That means you need a system that |
| and allow users to get the reports they want, how | | | | puts you in control of your inventory and prices, helps |
| they want it. | | | | you manage trends, and provides you with tools to |
| * A system that is easy to customize. It needs to | | | | build customer loyalty. |
| support unique retail methods, adaptable to fit changing | | | | It's the only way to stay ahead of the game. |