What should we use for a POS and Ticket Tracker for Computer Shop / Retail Store?

[FoolishTech]

Interesting. When I last looked at TigerPaw, they didn't seem to offer any kind of POS capability. Retail sales is a good portion of my business, so having a solid POS component is important. I've been looking at upgrading to the latest version of POSitive, now I think it may be a good time to review all the options again.

TigerPaw isn't a true POS but it has the capability somewhat - it's inconvenient as heck though to be honest. You have to create a customer account for EVERY SALE or use a generic account for "quick sales" ... I like all of the *other* features of TigerPaw it's an amazing system, but I do miss the POS aspect of POSitive for the convenience of handling walk-in sales... and even just entering in quick notes on a service ticket...

 

[hightechrex]

id like to know the same thing

 

[Karlin High]

Point-of-sale software... For over a year now with about a small retail area (~2500 sq ft / 230 m2) we have simply been using the Sales Receipts feature in QuickBooks. I know of other stores around here that do the same thing. Probably not ideal, but it works for us.

 

[Rocco]

For my day job, which is 90% retail, we use QB POS. It is a few years old, definitely not the latest version, but we all hate it. When it works, it is good. You do have to input customers, even walk in customers. We did create a customer called "Cash only", but if they use a card, for it to show up on the receipt, you have to have their name and address.

Inventory is good. We have the version that tracks serial numbers, and that is important in that job. I don't see it being necessary in ours unless you sale a lot of computers. It is bulky, can be hard to use, and very easy to screw up. Oh believe me, I am still learning more stuff about it, and have screwed up a lot!

I really don't know what else is out there, but for my own business, I would never use QB POS. The only thing positive about it is that it was created to work directly with QB.

 

[carrcomp]

For my day job, which is 90% retail, we use QB POS. It is a few years old, definitely not the latest version, but we all hate it. When it works, it is good. You do have to input customers, even walk in customers. We did create a customer called "Cash only", but if they use a card, for it to show up on the receipt, you have to have their name and address.

Inventory is good. We have the version that tracks serial numbers, and that is important in that job. I don't see it being necessary in ours unless you sale a lot of computers. It is bulky, can be hard to use, and very easy to screw up. Oh believe me, I am still learning more stuff about it, and have screwed up a lot!

I really don't know what else is out there, but for my own business, I would never use QB POS. The only thing positive about it is that it was created to work directly with QB.

Quickbooks itself can be setup with a 60$ scanner and a barcode database (can't think of which version off the top of my head has that feature) so technically you don't need to have a seperate POS.

You would want one if you had employees entering sales though.

 

[PCX]

On the Note of disappearing data . . . .

On the Note of disappearing data . . . .

Vince is pretty convince that my issue is because we are running mhelpdesk on several computers with the same account, so I am taking advantage of the black Friday deal and purchasing 4 more accounts.

I never felt I needed additional accounts in the past due to the fact that we all work on the same projects and don't really assign anything to anyone specific, but I suppose that an account for the front desk and an account for the separate areas of the shop could not hurt. Anyways, I will report back and let you guys know how it works out. Also, I may be trying out the QB POS in junction with MH as well.


Take advantage of the Black Friday deal on HM for the additional users, especially if you are grand fathered into their old pricing. I am currently getting my additional users for $5 each.

 

[carrcomp]

On the Note of disappearing data . . . .

Vince is pretty convince that my issue is because we are running mhelpdesk on several computers with the same account, so I am taking advantage of the black Friday deal and purchasing 4 more accounts.

I never felt I needed additional accounts in the past due to the fact that we all work on the same projects and don't really assign anything to anyone specific, but I suppose that an account for the front desk and an account for the separate areas of the shop could not hurt. Anyways, I will report back and let you guys know how it works out. Also, I may be trying out the QB POS in junction with MH as well.


Take advantage of the Black Friday deal on HM for the additional users, especially if you are grand fathered into their old pricing. I am currently getting my additional users for $5 each.

Good call!

The best part about the whole thing (in my mind) is that both mhelpdesk and Quickbooks POS will feed your invoices into your accounting.

SCORE!

 

[PCX]

Good call!

The best part about the whole thing (in my mind) is that both mhelpdesk and Quickbooks POS will feed your invoices into your accounting.

SCORE!

Only one problem, its like $1300 for QB POS . . . . I could get the POS Package with the Free Intuit software, but pretty much everyone hates it. At least according to the reviews.

 

[SprinterTech-WI]

Only one problem, its like $1300 for QB POS . . . . I could get the POS Package with the Free Intuit software, but pretty much everyone hates it. At least according to the reviews.

yep... we are currently using the "free" version of QB POS, but basicalyl we have to manually enter every itme at time of purchase...so no inventory control at all.

Somedays I think I should just hire a software developer or 3 and build a single piece of software as a LOB app for all things computer/electronics/cellular retail/onsite/remote stores.... lol

 

[PCX]

yep... we are currently using the "free" version of QB POS, but basicalyl we have to manually enter every itme at time of purchase...so no inventory control at all.

Somedays I think I should just hire a software developer or 3 and build a single piece of software as a LOB app for all things computer/electronics/cellular retail/onsite/remote stores.... lol

On that note, it would be nice if we could all pool together and hire a team of software developers to create the perfect POS/Ticket tracker.

 

[Scales]

On that note, it would be nice if we could all pool together and hire a team of software developers to create the perfect POS/Ticket tracker.

I'm in for that. I have been toying with idea of coding my own, after all I was jr programmer at a medium sized developer. The only thing stopping me is TIME.

 

[TenYardFight]

Don't we already have three or more pieces of software that started that way? Who is to say we could do it? Maybe we all just need a custom kit for our business, lol

 

[SprinterTech-WI]

Don't we already have three or more pieces of software that started that way? Who is to say we could do it? Maybe we all just need a custom kit for our business, lol

I have yet to see one that integrates ticketing, pos, and crm all into a QB friendly program supporting multiple users and locations.

 

[PCX]

I have yet to see one that integrates ticketing, pos, and crm all into a QB friendly program supporting multiple users and locations.

Same here, in fact, I can't believe that no one has come up with a system such as this. I know for a fact that there are other types of businesses other than computer shops that can benefit from this type of system.

 

[pceinc]

Point-of-sale software... For over a year now with about a small retail area (~2500 sq ft / 230 m2) we have simply been using the Sales Receipts feature in QuickBooks. I know of other stores around here that do the same thing. Probably not ideal, but it works for us.

We do this as well. We have a customer named "walk-in" that is used for all POS purchases. If we know the customer we use their existing account so we can keep a history of their purchases. All service pickups are pre-invoiced before the customer comes in. When they come in to pickup their equipment we are simply "Receiving Payment" against their invoice, then we print the invoice and they are out the door.

We use Newwayservice for our carry-in service department.
We use Autotask for our CRM and on-site/managed service clients.
The only problem with our setup is that NWS does not have an export to QB feature but Autotask does.

 

[acesdeals]

I currently use QB and osticket

Osticket takes care of CRM and provides us with an easy way to track repairs and customers get updates instead of calling in all the time

We use QB to take care of everything else

This is our setup:

Customer comes in fills out form, we input data into QB take deposit and then input data into OSticket

After repair is done, we close ticket when customer picks up we use either cash or a separate CC terminal and manually enter value into QB and email receipt.

For selling items i bought a separate register to use just for that so we dont have to input customer data



I just took a look at PCRT and its very cool, the layout could be better but it seems to have a much better feature set and will work better then osticket

Osticket is free, but for a more streamlined and better system i think investing the $200 will be worth it

Even with QB and Osticket there is sometimes communication issues between admin and tech but i think with PCRT that will be reduced

So i will be having my admins and tech demo it out as well and give opinions on weather the move is worth it but i think it is since each tech basically has a WALL with notes and such

PCRT is definitely a great piece of software, for those looking for something more i think combining PCRT with QB would work

 

[Paulmg377]

I have been using intuit online quickbooks for POS and using a manual paper tracking for computer that come in for repair for the past 6 months but have been spending the past 3 months trying to find an all in one program. I have also been contemplating finding a good fast programer to design one for me as I have been unable to find any other method of having to use a separate tracking software and copy and past information into a pos program. on a side note I do love having the ability to create, email and total up sales receipts during on site repairs. just interested if anyone does find a program or willing to help pitch into a pool o to have a program created. I have been shocked though that nothing like this has already been created and resold.

 

[carrcomp]

I have been using intuit online quickbooks for POS and using a manual paper tracking for computer that come in for repair for the past 6 months but have been spending the past 3 months trying to find an all in one program. I have also been contemplating finding a good fast programer to design one for me as I have been unable to find any other method of having to use a separate tracking software and copy and past information into a pos program. on a side note I do love having the ability to create, email and total up sales receipts during on site repairs. just interested if anyone does find a program or willing to help pitch into a pool o to have a program created. I have been shocked though that nothing like this has already been created and resold.

I know I keep talking about it but it is helpful.

mhelpdesk has a download to quickbooks function, and has an Android and Iphone app for on the go invoicing.

FYI

 

[Paulmg377]

I know I keep talking about it but it is helpful.

mhelpdesk has a download to quickbooks function, and has an Android and Iphone app for on the go invoicing.

FYI

I was looking at mhelpdesk a while ago just wish they had some way of printing equipment tracking labels with customer contact info, service request#, etc. on like a dymo printer label. Will probably give it another shot though when get sometime to get it properly setup as I was unaware that they do offer the ability to export invoices to quickbooks.

 

[Scales]

Yeah, I may have to break down and use it . . . it really needs a face lift bad though. I guess I can deal with entering the totals each day or at the end of each week, I just wanted something more streamlined that played well with QB.

I have just installed the latest beta. It looks so much better now. It's almost there for me. A little better CRM functionality and I am set.