An EPOS system is a must-have to efficiently run a retail business. The conventional POS system no longer yields desirable results as tracking thousands of items manually is a very time-consuming task. With the use of an electronic POS system, retailers of all sizes can manage their inventory and supervise their offline stores as well as the eCommerce website.

What is EPOS software?

EPOS or Electronic Point of Sale system uses EPOS hardware and EPOS software to provide an effective tracking system to seamlessly run business operations. An EPOS software UK provides the owner with transparent business performance and lets him process, track sales, and do other procedures effortlessly. The EPOS system is also connected to the business’ eCommerce website making it more uncomplicated for the buyers to get all the information they need. It gives them a better user experience and increases business goodwill.

EPOS Software

An EPOS system that fits your business needs is crucial for thriving retail management. It’s one thing to choose the best EPOS software, but finding compatible EPOS hardware is an even more challenging task.

Some businesses may require advanced features to meet their diverse business needs. They usually opt for customizable services to make the most of the system.

The EPOS system offers the following features:

● Sales
● Quick Drop
● Telephone Validation
● Item Tracker
● Workload Management
● Staff Clockwork
● Price Matrix
● E-Mail Tickets & Receipts
● Staff Holiday and Absence
● Shift Management
● Invoicing & Account Management
● Management Alerts
● Expense Management
● Review Orders
● SMS Customer Notifications

EPOS hardware: The exact components of the EPOS hardware can change according to the specific needs of different businesses. However, there are a few core components like a terminal screen which is used unanimously by all retailers opting for different EPOS systems.

It is a screen that displays the order information and allows you to make payments.

Additionally, businesses may or may not opt for cash drawers, receipt printers, barcode scanners, tablets, PDQ terminals, and more.

To maximize the compatibility of the system, it is generally advised to buy both software and hardware from one supplier. This way you can also reduce your costs significantly as it requires no extra integration.

How does EPOS software work?

You can think of an EPOS system as a cash register connected to a computer that records sales, and customer data whilst updating stock levels. Let’s break down the working of an EPOS system into three simple steps:

1. The system is connected to a computer that meets the system’s requirements.
2. The EPOS software reads the product’s barcode via a barcode scanner.
3. It then computes and tells the precise amount to be paid by the buyer.

These three easy steps provide faster service to the buyers whilst making the management easier for the retailers.

EPOS vs POS Software for Small Business: What’s Best?

While the terms EPOS and POS are often used interchangeably, there are subtle differences, especially for small businesses. Our blog on POS software for small business dives deeper into how small retailers can leverage modern tools for better sales and inventory management.

Advantages and Disadvantages of an EPOS software

An EPOS software UK has a variety of merits both for the customers and retailers. Unlike the traditional POS systems, it makes managing a large inventory a painless task.

Advantages of an EPOS system

EPOS system for customers

– Reduces wait time on transactions and order processing
– Enables customers to use promotional/ discount codes in offline as well as online mode
– Provides accurate information about pricing
– The multiple payments and shipping options enhance the customer’s shopping experience

EPOS system for store owners

– Effortlessly manage multiple sales channels in one place effectively centralizing business operations
– Helps in making more accurate inventory forecasts
– Helps in tracking business performance to generate insightful reports
– Limits the scope of manual errors
– The date update is correct, easy, and fast
– Sets up impenetrable security measures to eliminate potential employee theft.

Disadvantages of an EPOS system

The initial cost for setting up an EPOS software UK is higher than a traditional POS system.
For small businesses, it might look like an extra and avoidable expense. The price also varies depending on the kind of system you require, an advanced system is going to cost you much higher than a basic one.

Are you also ready to take your retail business to new heights? Get in touch with Axcess IT today to get a tailored system for your business.

This is a must-attend event for any company or significant persons within our industry to catch-up with existing customers, industry colleagues and an opportunity to introduce our systems to other dry cleaners and laundries from both the U.K and abroad. We have attended every Clean Ex show since 2012 and have recognised it as a priority appointment in our calendar.

We met a great range of new companies on both days; Saturday brought along the independent dry cleaners/laundries, whereas Sunday we had various commercial businesses. Our system was also on show at the stand of our industry partners Tex ID, demonstrating the integration of the Axcess Dry Cleaning Factory System and the ThermoTex Out-SorTexx.

According to the event organisers, the number of people pre-registering for the event was up by 30% on the previous show in 2016 and those numbers were reflected in how busy our stand was, especially on the Saturday. Zak Ahmed, our Business Development Manager, said: “On the Saturday we didn’t have a moment to go have lunch; we were consistently meeting new and existing clients throughout the day. Overall, a very productive and successful show for us.”

We would like to thank all the visitors for attending and the organisers at Meg Events for organising such a great event. The next show will be in two years, so put a reminder in your diary now – it’s an event you don’t want to miss.

Axcess IT had already integrated with ThermoTex Labelling printers, working on machines such as ThermoIdent and the TT4S, however, it was time to strengthen the connectivity between the Axcess Systems and the ThermoTex technology. The Out-SorTexx is a specialised automated assembly product specifically designed to handle folded garments and flatwork.

Connected directly with Axcess Systems, Out-SorTexx pieces up information from the software’s database and then guides the operator, after scanning the item’s barcode, to the appropriate pigeon hole for placement of each item. Once a lot is completed, the operator is prompted to empty the pigeon hole so that it can be used for assembly of the next lot.

Guidance is provided by an LED light which automatically illuminates under the appropriate pigeon hole and extinguishes after the infra-red beam that is covering the slot has been broken. Should an operator inadvertently place an item in an incorrect pigeon hole, an audible alarm and light beacon is activated. These continue until the item is placed in the correct pigeon hole.

As an alternative to the infra-red beam, a more cost-effective solution is available with a simple button confirmation.

This system saves up to 80% of the space required by traditional manual pigeon holes as it automatically makes slots available as lots get completed. Manual reading of tags and then hunting for the appropriate ticket sellotaped to a pigeon hole has become a thing of the past, as the barcoding or RFID scanning eliminates human error, vastly speeding up the process. This automated assembly system also negates the need to continuously check if a lot is complete, as Out-SorTexx does this in digital form.

Perhaps the biggest factor when considering an automated folded item assembly system is the removal of the possibility of pieces going to the wrong customer. When faced with a large pile of pressed white linen, this is a real risk due to the similarity in appearance. No one wants to face the embarrassment of telling a customer they have lost their cherished bed linen and then have to deal with the compensation claim.

The Dry-Cleaning Business based in Wembley, London, considered the above and after tight coordination with us at Axcess IT, they chose a 32-pigeon-hole Out-SorTexx unit for assembly of customer linen. This has recently been expanded to 48 pigeon holes and there are plans for a brand new Out-SorTexx unit dedicated to hotel guest folded garments. Such was the speed of assembly provided by Out-SorTexx, the system now sits directly behind their iron so operators can commence assembly immediately after pressing.
 

At Axcess IT, we are always looking to provide the best solution for our customers. We recognised a demand for a system for small laundries which would meet their basic needs and budgets; a system which would allow them to take the first step into gradually investing in technology.

Mounts Bay Laundry had recognised it was time to consider using a Laundry Management System to help run their business based in Penzance, Cornwall. After regular conversation with the team, Axcess IT’s in-house engineers drafted up a spec customised to their laundry’s capabilities and needs. The system was going to change the game for the team at Mounts Bay, scrapping the old book system and an age-stricken manual invoice software which regularly led to discrepancies. The new Axcess software enabled staff to easily book in new orders; to have each customers’ pricelist automatically embedded into the system; and to generate and send invoices and statements automatically through the system with great ease and efficiency.

Our team flew down to Penzance to install the system and stayed for three days to make sure the installation was smooth and that the team was adequately trained. Our software has allowed the team to avoid mundane mistakes and the accounts system has freed up more time for management, allowing them to focus on bringing in more business.
Julia Hopkins, director of Mounts Bay Laundry, said: “Being complete technophobes we really fell on our feet employing the services of Axcess IT…they guided us through our new system with ease and good grace. I like the fact that they are always contactable to help us when we have a question or two…GO AXCESS!”

If you are a laundry and would like a system which fits both your budget and your needs, get in contact with our team for a free consultation.
 

As you’ve probably noticed while reading our blog, Axcess IT has launched an eye-catching, dynamic new website that signals our intentions to move forwards as a business.

Our business is growing by the day, and the team recently came to a decision that our old website needed a revamp on every level. We needed to update the look and feel of the website, and ensure it offered seamless, simple functionality for all visitors.

Zakariya Ahmed, Sales Director of Axcess IT, says, Were thrilled to launch our brilliant new website, which has been a long time in the making. We recognised the need to upgrade our old site in favour of something more stylish, functional and modern and were very happy with the results. From the content and the images to the layout and design, everything is completely new and aligned with the direction our fast-growing business is heading. We love it!

Navigation was one of the key things we focused on. We wanted potential customers to be able to find their way around our site with ease, accessing the information they need about our systems and services. We have revamped all of the content on our website, describing our systems in greater detail and providing information on every feature and function of our offerings. All images that are up on the website were taken by our own staff, at shops where our systems were installed, to provide visitors with an accurate picture of what they might look like when they are up and running.

Testimonials have also been added to the site, so that potential customers can see how our services and systems have helped our existing clients to build efficient, profitable businesses of their own.

It’s taken around a year for the team to come up with the general idea for the site, as well as outsourcing the work to web design and development experts. It’s been a real challenge, revamping the website as well as running our fast-growing business. Developing is still ongoing based on feedback from our visitors were always looking to improve and make sure our site is the very best it can be for potential customers.

Going forward, we will be updating the site regularly with all of the latest news from the business, our clients and the market in general. We have some exciting developments to share with our readers soon about a collaboration with German firm ThermoTex look out for that on our blog!

In the meantime, please feel free to explore our fantastic new website and get a feel for the new layout. If you think we’ve missed anything out, or would like to suggest a feature that you think other visitors would find useful, get in touch with our team today  we’d love to hear from you!