Monday, June 6, 2011

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Thursday, February 10, 2011

Guide to point of sale software

If your growing retail business still manages inventory with word processor or spreadsheet programs, it's time to consider point of sale software. Point of sale (POS) software serves as an electronic cash register for your apparel retail business and tracks inventory and transactions. The latest POS software packages also include tools for automatic re-ordering when your shoe or clothing inventory runs low, forecasting tools for trending footwear and apparel sales, and even full-featured reports for general ledger and customer relationship management (CRM).

There are numerous inventory POS system or inventory management software packages available for your apparel or shoe retail business. Researching the available options and a few minimum requirements before you buy can optimize the ways POS software impacts the efficiency .

POS history
Point of sale software was once a hefty array of software and hardware components stored in a back office that cost retail chains thousands of dollars in software and hardware implementation and maintenance. High-end POS software even featured hand-held scanners for reading the SKU (stock keeping unit) tags on clothing. At closing time, retail chains could print reports of apparel sales and remaining inventory. However, these same businesses still had to use separate software packages for tracking their inventory on items like shoes or clothes, calculating payroll, managing purchasing budgets and printing yearly tax statements.

The latest POS packages are available as a SaaS (software as a service). SaaS point of sale software simply requires a PC or hand held device that has access to the Internet. For retail chains, this means you no longer need a costly robust computer server handling transactions because the POS is Web-based software and streamlined from a hosted data center. As a SaaS solution, your point of sale software is constantly backed-up and updated with new software builds and e-commerce tools on demand.

POS features
The new generation of point of sale software features comprehensive packages that integrate every requirement of a retail apparel business, plus innovative tools for diverse environments. If your retail business specializes in seasonal sports footwear and clothing, POS software can automate sales and track sizes, colors and styles for placing additional orders.
For example, point of sale software can lower prices on soccer footwear as season wrestling shoes appear in brick-and-mortar stores or online retail storefronts in late September. These features automate your inventory and provide an inclusive sales inventory snapshot. The hosted data supplies reports might reveal, for instance, that soccer clothing in black and red outsold yellow jerseys, and high-top green wrestling shoes were popular for online sales in Wisconsin, but blue footwear selections were the top choice among Texas customers.
Clothing retailers may find features such as inventory query management helpful when items are returned to the store without tags.
Without an SKU to scan, versatile POS packages offer query options for entering a keyword or a category for locating the item.Before selecting a point of sale software package, determine your minimum requirements. Then you can decide which automated software can turn your business into a thriving Internet super store.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

The Advantages Of Finding The Correct Software Inventory System


Technology nowadays has become the root that supports many businesses. This means that more people are looking for technology that is the most efficient and reliable as well as specific to their business. With this in mind, people have come up with many applications as well as inventory management software or inventory pos system cater for these enterprises.

When considering buying this application, for many small business operators, it may appear far fetched, although they should not give up for they can decide to get a small management application system or save up to get the higher-end software. This will allow them to manage their inventories at an achievable cost.

Before an individual decides to get this program, they should consider the financial position of their company at the moment. With this in mind, they can choose to get a low-end program that fits their budget. Since the business is still growing, they can get an advanced one, according to their financial position during the growth of the company.

There are a few things to consider before one buys this program. To begin with, one should consider the benefits of the software. Some find it to be very efficient and resourceful. It also allows for precision thereby, making the operation of an enterprise easy and manageable. People are able to keep track of their products and know for sure the quantity of the products. Knowing this, an individual is capable of planning ahead and is aware of when to bring in more stock so as not to loose customers because they are under stocked.

People should evaluate the applicability of the program in question and decide whether it is relevant. An important factor to note is that this system is very vital in the retail sector. With some products selling highly than others, this program helps to monitor the product so as to maximize on such goods. It also encourages multi-tasking, as one can perform various operations at the same time, like printing out of an invoice while recording expenses.

With this system people, can carry out different business operations within a short period hence, saving time therefore, maximizing on the returns of their investments. One should find the appropriate software specific for their company's demand. This means one that can be able to perform the functions and provide the solutions needed in ones company, in other words one that is compatible to ones business.

This technology enables one to carry out other business operations saving time and maximizing on the profits. To accomplish all these, people need to get the right program that suits their company. This is in terms of carrying out the functions set aside for it as well as solutions, as intended in providing the best results.

Reliability and efficiency is a very important aspect when it comes to choosing the right program for ones business. Durability should also be considered, one should go for an advanced model for the best results. To make this decision, an individual will need the IT department to guide them in getting the best suited software inventory for the best results.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

The basics of inventory tracking


If you’re a small retailer or wholesaler, your inventory is the heart of your business. Not only is it probably the largest single investment you’ll carry as a business owner, but correct management of inventory (inventory management sofware or inventory pos system) can be the difference between a business that hums along efficiently and one that sputters out prematurely. Many businesses with good business plans and good products have failed because poor inventory management has choked out both cash flow and profits.

The purpose of inventory tracking is to ensure that while some of your capital must be tied up in inventory, it does not hinder your company’s cash flow or waste employee’s time. Your business will run best if you have an accurate count of that inventory, procedures for changing it, and an organization scheme that allows fast and efficient access to it. Conquer those challenges, and the business of tracking your inventory will be no problem at all.So how can you ensure that your inventory is managed in a way that helps your cash flow rather than hinders it? Here are a few tips that can help:

I. Set aside sufficient space for your inventory. A sizable and well-lighted area will allow you to organize and manage your inventory in the way that fits your company best. Sufficient space between rows to allow movement without bumping items will reduce breakage and unintentional damage to inventory.
Sufficient space is probably the single most important factor of efficient inventory management, because a lack of space forces your company to take shortcuts and undermines the procedures you set in place to keep track of what you have in stock. A lack of space can be the largest factor in inventory disarray, and an inventory in disarray is an inventory that is poorly managed.

II. Organize your inventory in a manner that fits the type of business you run. How you buy and sell products should be a determining factor in how your inventory is organized. Do you have 10,000 paperback books in a warehouse? Or is it 3000 types of auto parts on shelves for browsing customers? Do some items move quickly? Are there some items worth carrying but which seldom leave the shelves? Do you care about individual items or do you buy and sell in volume? All of these factors can have an impact on how quickly and efficiently you can get your inventory into the hands of your customers.

III. Develop a database of your inventory, including re-order targets. If you have only a few items, a notebook may be sufficient to list every item by type, brand, color, and quantity. If you have thousands, you’ll need to develop or purchase a computerized database (even if it’s only an Excel spreadsheet). But large or small, your inventory needs to be reflected as accurately as possible on paper or on the computer, so you can avoid leaving the phone to rummage the warehouse every time a customer inquires about an item and to allow you to quickly and efficiently gauge how much of your money is tied up in inventory, what inventory is turning
over, and what is simply collecting dust on your shelves.
Every item in your database should have a target level at which a re-order should be made, along with a measurement of the time it sat in inventory. At reorder time, check to see that you sold the items in the time you expected or if you’re selling them faster than you expected. Writing down your expectations up front can help you identify trends that will tell you whether to double your re-order quantity or discontinue carrying an item altogether.
Keep in mind that the quantities you order can affect the cost per item, lowering your costs and increasing your profits. Take advantage of quantity discounts where your inventory allows. By tracking your turnover and comparing trends, you’ll be prepared to get the most for your money without tying up most of your money in inventory that does not move.

IV. Develop procedures for “check-in” and “check-out”. Every item that enters or leaves your inventory needs to be recorded somehow, either directly into the database or onto a receipt that is compared against the database. Inventory tracking means knowing how much of what you have available, and that can only be accomplished by having procedures for adding and subtracting items from inventory.Keep in mind that for procedures to be followed, they must be simple, consistent, and accurate.
Having simple, effective inventory-control procedures in place will ensure that everything in your warehouse is ready to be moved to your shelves and everything on your shelves is ready to be replaced from your warehouse.

V. Strive for accuracy and manually double-check at least annually. No matter the procedures you have put in place to ensure the accuracy of your inventory, mistakes and errors will creep in. Whether it’s through items not being properly recorded or through pilfering employees, the more items that move through your database, the larger the gap between what it reflected in your electronic database and what sits in your physical warehouse will grow.That means that monthly, quarterly, or annually, a physical inventory should be taken of everything in the warehouse and compared to the inventory database. It doesn’t mean shutting down your business while everyone goes through the warehouse and counts, but it does mean that an occasional physical survey must be taken (maybe during slow periods) to ensure that everything in your inventory is accounted for. Such checks will also help you identify items that are susceptible to pilferage, breakage, or simply being put back in the wrong place. Once patterns are recognized, adjustments can be made to avoid similar problems in the future, like keeping small, high-value items under lock and key or keeping glass items well back from busy aisles.
The challenges of inventory tracking can be managed with planning, organization, and consistency; and your cash flow will improve if your largest cost is handled efficiently. That means not only will your bottom line benefit, but your customers will as well.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Using Inventory Software to Save Your Retail Business


In tough retail conditions retail business owners and managers need to make tough decisions. Decisions which get the retail store back on track and profitable.Good inventory control software can help you make these decisions. It can provide a fact basis for any inventory related decision.By tracking inventory which comes into and goes out of the retail business, through a variety of means, the business builds, through the inventory software, the data necessary for good quality decisions.It all starts with good inventory software. This is software which:
  • Tracks every sale.
  • Processes electronic invoices from suppliers and allows you to manually enter invoices.
  • Tracks movement of inventory from a warehouse to retail.
  • Tracks theft of stock.
  • Provides you with excellent reports for understanding the performance of your inventory from a range of views.
If your retail business is experiencing difficult trading, it is probably time for you to more fully embrace your inventory software to turn the situation around.Assuming you use your inventory pos system or  inventory management software properly, here are steps you can take to improve the performance of your business.

Cut dead stock. Print a report of stock which has not sold in the last six months. Review this list and make quick tough decisions about quitting stock which is not performing for the business.
Some retailers are prepared to carry underperforming stock for a long time because they want to be known for their range. This has a cost. If your margin is slim then cutting dead stock is a most urgent business activity.

Move stock around. Print a report showing hat stock items are selling with other stock items. Learn from these shopping basket pairings and consider moving stock on your shop floor as a result.
Get smarter with your stock and use reports in your software to guide tactical moves which are chasing more sales.

Focus on suppliers. Compare the performance of suppliers using reports in your software. If there are suppliers significantly outperforming others, focus more on them. But be sure to let underperforming suppliers know that they have problems.

Too often, retail suppliers control their client businesses. You can take control by relying on your reports which are based on your real sales. Suppliers base their information on what they sell you.

Cut theft. One business problem could be theft of stock by customers. Using theft management tools in your inventory control software you are better equipped to understand what is being stolen and when. Use this information to reduce theft. A cohesive and fact based theft management strategy could improve your bottom line by between 2% and 5% depending on the nature of your business.

The inventory on your shop floor is a good place to start to turn a struggling retail business around. Achieve this by using good inventory management software. Feed it good data and rely on accurate reports to help guide better business decisions.It takes discipline and a preparedness to trust the data more than your own feelings. Confidence will grow with time. Good decisions will be reflected in better business data.
Inventory management software can change a retail business from a basket case to a terrific success story.

    Sunday, February 6, 2011

    How to deal with inventory management software


    "Inventory" to many business owners is one of the more visible and tangible aspects of doing business. Raw materials, goods in process, and finished goods, all represent various forms of inventory encountered in a manufacturing organization. Each type represents money tied up until the inventory leaves the factory as a purchased product. Likewise, merchandise stocks in a retail store contribute to profits only when their sale puts money into the cash register.In a literal sense, inventory refers to stock of anything necessary to do business. These stocks represent a large portion of the business investment and must be well managed in order to maximize profits. In fact, many small businesses cannot absorb the types of losses arising from poor inventory management. Unless inventories are controlled they are unreliable, inefficient, and costly. In attempting to control inventories, managers usually lean towards keeping inventory levels on the high side, yet this greater investment (given a constant amount of profit), yields a lower return on the dollar invested. This is one of the contradictory demands made upon the manager with respect to keeping inventory, others include:

    • Maintain a good assortment of products - but not too many;
    • Increase inventory turnover - but only at a good profit level;
    • Keep stocks low - but not too low;
    • Make volume purchases to obtain lower prices - but don't overbuy; and
    • Get rid of obsolete items - but not before their replacements have taken hold in the market.
    Successful inventory management software  or inventory pos system involves simultaneously attempting to balance the costs of inventory with the benefits of inventory. Many business owners often fail to appreciate fully the true costs of carrying inventory - which include not only direct costs of storage, insurance, taxes, etc., but is also the cost of money tied up in inventory. And it is often not realized that small reductions in inventory investment may result in large percentage changes in the company's total cash position. For example, one reward of improved inventory management may be an increase in working capital without the necessity of having to borrow money.



    Friday, February 4, 2011

    Web Based Retail Pos Systems Can Work


    Retail POS is short for point of sale and this generally refers to the location where the sale is made and payment is made. The checkout stand is a point of sale. The original sales checkout mechanisms were as crude as a pencil and paper and perhaps a ledger for any credit extended by the merchant.

    The initial computerized inventory POS system were bulky and inordinately expensive. The checkout and reporting software was written specifically for a specific manufacturer's machines and only retail giants could afford the software and the hardware. In order to add another checkout point in the store new hardware had to be purchased from the manufacturer of the original equipment.

    Today interoperability is possible among many of point of sale systems. However, the cost of even the standard hardware and the software to connect these is beyond the reach of many retailers. A custom system is certainly not usually affordable for smaller retailers.

    Remotely hosted point of sale software makes point of sale software more affordable and simpler for the smaller businesses. It requires only a browser to access, can be connected to a cash drawer and a credit card machine and even a printer. Software as a service will usually have a flat fee connected to its use, this makes costs more predictable.

    There are still a bewildering number of choices for the retailer considering point of sale software that is web based. Some can interact with a wider range of browser types such as Safari, Opera, and IE, while others are somewhat more limited. The retailer researches the viability and expense of remotely hosted inventory, cash management and sales software should have a check list of necessary features in order to narrow down the choices.

    Cost is a large factor in the choice of any checkout and reporting software.   A fixed cost is preferable for most businesses as it can be budgeted in the same way that the mortgage or payroll is budgeted. Inventory control reports are also considered high priority features by many retailers considering these systems.

    The remotely hosted merchant systems require a browser and an active internet connection in order to use. The reliability of the internet connection in the area should be considered, although in this day and age it most connections are stable. It is important however that the merchant keep in mind the type of browser they plan to use and ensure it is compatible with the system.The ability to process credit cards and debit cards is a must have for many stores or merchants. Some internet based POS systems have a specific credit card gateway provider with whom they work and the merchant could be limited there. Other systems may allow for more flexibility in processors and simply perform a recording and reporting function.

    Web based retail POS systems may not be the perfect solution for all businesses. Remotely hosted software solutions are normally aimed a small to medium sized businesses who have more limited budgets and fewer transactions than the giants in the field. However this type of system can eliminate the need to invest in expensive hardware and be unable to change providers due to the proprietary nature of the hardware and software.