One of the great benefits of modern digital POS systems is the way they allow workflows across a business to be joined together. More than just a point for processing sales, EPOS solutions these days provide an interface for managing business-wide processes.
And the big winners when this happens are your customers.
These benefits are multiplied when you pair POS with ERP, or Enterprise Resource Planning software. ERP is software specifically designed to connect different business processes together. As its name suggests, it originated as a solution for the very largest businesses seeking to make efficiency gains across complex organisational structures by linking the likes of accounting, procurement, inventory management, HR and more together.
But in recent times, ERP has come on the radar of smaller businesses, too. And that has opened the door to more and more retailers to reap its benefits.
Sci>Net is a retail ERP specialist and an AURES partner. Built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, one of the world’s most popular ERP platforms, Sci>Net’s ERP>Retail software offers tailored solutions for big ticket, furniture, flooring, fashion, jewellery, luxury and merchant/trade counter retail.
Sci>Net works with ecommerce and multi-channel retailers. For the latter, it offers on-premise POS installations, supplying AURES hardware to clients. Integrating POS and ERP supercharges process efficiency across the business, by streamlining transactional data and making it available for use with other systems – inventory, finance, CRM, even connecting easily with your ecommerce platform.
But as well as benefiting your business, pairing POS with ERP also helps to boost the shopping experience for your customers. Here are three ways it does that.
Faster and more accurate service
An ERP system centralises all customer information, order history, and product details. This empowers staff to access this data instantly, allowing them to answer customer queries quickly and provide accurate information on pricing, past purchases, and warranty details. Reduced wait times and improved knowledge lead to a more positive customer experience.
Streamlined fulfilment
As an extension to the service benefits ERP provides at point of sale, real-time inventory data means that staff can always provide accurate updates about stock availability and wait times, or even suggest alternative options like buying from another store or ordering online. This helps to eliminate the frustration of unexpected out-of-stocks and ensures a smoother fulfilment process.
Improved Self-Service Options
ERP can also improve the experience customers get from using self-service kiosks. An ERP system provides a convenient gateway to making available all the information customers might want to access, whether it’s looking up product details, checking order times, or accessing a loyalty scheme account. ERP systems can also use data captured in a CRM to personalise the self-service experience.
AURES and Sci>Net will be at the Retail Technology Show at London’s Olympia on April 24th and 25th. Sci>Net is exhibiting at Stand 6B78 with the AURES YUNO II terminal on hand to showcase their solutions. If you’re at the show, make sure you go along and learn more about the benefits of ERP in retail!