Too often, business owners try to run critical operations through POS systems on the sales or service floor. This can be problematic for a multitude of reasons. Operational and managerial tasks, such as inventory and bookkeeping, take up time and POS system work space that is vital for business.
But, how can you tell if your use of POS system work space to run reports and complete managerial tasks is actually impacting your bottom line? Here are four tell-tale signs indicating that it’s time you invested in a back office software solution:
1. Reporting Has Become a Hassle
Do you have difficulty pulling reports on the floor amidst the hustle and bustle? If your staff is trying to maneuver around you in order to assist customers, it’s a good indicator that you’d all be better off if you had a back office software solution. If your presence on the floor to pull reports only causes frustration in all parties – yours, your employees, and your customers – then you’ll find that your business’s customer service is lacking. If your customer service is suffering due to reporting, then your business will suffer as well.
2. Distinct Lack of Privacy/Security
If you have to pull reports on the floor, frustration and suffering customer service will be the least of your issues. Credit card summaries, refunds and labor reports that include tips, hourly labor, and time cards hold sensitive information, and are documents that should not be pulled in a public space. A back office software solution will allow you the privacy necessary for running reports that contain sensitive and confidential information, ensuring that you have peace of mind in the knowledge that critical information is secure and away from prying eyes.
3. Unable to Understand Historical Performance
Do you have difficulties when trying to create realistic performance goals? Without access to business data showing historical trends, business owners can often times feel like they’re shooting in the dark. Reports regarding your business’ performance are necessary to gauge whether you are successful, unsuccessful, and what course of action you can take to get on the right track and remain there. A back office software solution will allow you to see where you’ve been so you can figure out where you’re going and how to get there.
4. Access to Real-Time Data is Not an Option
Are you finding that your customers get frustrated when you can’t tell them what is and isn’t in stock right now? If you are unable to access your data in real-time, you’ll lose more customers than you’ll gain. You likely won’t even keep the ones you already have.
Today’s consumers want what they want, when they want it. With the convenience of e-commerce options available at their fingertips, consumers won’t wait around for you to figure out if you’ve got what they want in stock. They’ll be out of your door and across the street to purchase what they want from your competitor.
If you’re finding that you’re having any one of these problems, a back office software solution may be the answer for you.
