Computing benefits

A computerised system will involve considerable capital investment. It is therefore important to understand the relative benefits of the many different systems on offer.

   A built-in card-swipe for credit/debit card processing gives DryStream’s third generation system its USP. The company has also negotiated low commission rates to make card handling more attractive and profitable: Visa and Mastercard rates start at 1.685% compared with the normal credit rate of 3-4%; while Switch and Delta carry a rate from 16.1p per transaction instead of around 60p.

Additional third generation features include stock control and invoicing, increased pricing flexibility and faster keying. TP Data provides customised systems for drycleaners—both modular systems and a stand-alone design (Posiflex).

Updated software for both types offers Windows 98 compatibility and increased pricing flexibility: there are 99 options for each garment category—previous systems offered 22. Other features to note include a card-swipe for loyalty cards and a work planner. This allows staff to record when work is required. The manager or owner can then plan ahead by obtaining a printout of the workload for each day and will know if and when extra staff are needed.

  InfoClean has three systems and is currently launching an additional, touch-screen model. This is claimed to be particularly easy to work as the user can focus all his attention on the screen.

The company targets the budget-conscious with a value-for-money system which uses an industry-standard keyboard, with all the customised options appearing on-screen. This reduces the initial purchase price (currently around £1999 plus VAT) and makes replacing a damaged keyboard both easier and cheaper. The system has all the standard functions, but some of the management functions, such as stock control, are offered as optional add-ons.

The InfoClean Classic has a customised keyboard and the full range of report systems including invoicing and stock control.

SPOT Business Systems can offer high tech options but puts its emphasis on speed and simplicity.

The company has two key strategies. First: it uses only industry-standard, IBM-compatible computers and printers. Second: all software can be configured/re-programmed on site by the user. Hardware replacements are cheap and easy. Software-updates can be quickly “piggy-backed” into the system.

Systems allow scope for developing promotional tools—such as bar-coded loyalty cards, that help to tie customers into the shop.

Ultra-high speed printers (27.5 lines per second) give a high standard of presentation including personalised tickets with logos and graphics.

Dry Cleaning Computer Systems (DCCS) is a US based company that has exhibited both at Clean UK and Singapore. At Clean UK, it showed an established Dos-based EPOS system and the latest update, Revision 14, includes a frequent-buyer programme.

DCCS has recently launched a Windows-based system, running on NT and 95 and designed to interface with standard off-the-shelf packages including accounts, credit card and mailings. Touch-screen or standard keyboard versions are available.

Checklist

Here are some of the important questions to ask and essential things to consider if you are thinking about purchasing your first computerised electronic point of sale (EPOS) system:

1. Make sure you get a full demonstration and explanation of the EPOS system and take time to ask questions.

2. Find out which features are standard and which are optional extras.

3. Ask for a list of customers using the system and talk to them.

4. Check-out support services including repairs and find out how the supplier handles software updates.

5. Can you re-programme the system yourself or does it require an engineer?

6. Does it have a customised keyboard or a standard-keyboard? Both have their advantages.