How to choose a point of sale system

Essentially a point of sale system acts like an electronic cash register that impacts on the whole business environment. Basically, wherever a retail sale occurs a point of sale system should come into play. Early point of sale systems were simple mechanical cash registers that began in the 1970's. As a result of time factors and technological constraints these early machines had limited functionality. Over time, as they evolved in functionality, they became operational in many business environments such as restaurants, hotels and grocery stores. Today's point of sale systems are powerful electronic solutions that are utilised commercially. Even better is the fact that most point of sale modules available today can be fully integratable with stock management systems, accounting systems, as well as payroll systems, just to name a few.....read more

Effective web marketing!

Imagine a world without cars, shopping malls, computers, or even internet access, seems almost impossible doesn't it? Technology has allowed us to advance in such a way that we often shudder to think what life would be like without it. Computers and the world wide web remain one of the more significant advancements of the century. From adults to children, businesses to schools we all seem to have been affected by this world wide phenomenon. Perhaps the main reason for our dependence lies solely in the fact that it provides us with a more convenient and efficient way of dealing with everyday hassles. Today a simple click allows us to connect with a distant friend, make a purchase or even retrieve information when we so desperately need to. From an e-commerce perspective more and more people around the globe are utilising the internet to do their banking or make purchases, the list of benefits it provides is endless. To add further web marketing is a concept that goes hand in hand with the popularity of the internet.......read more

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Serial Numbering -The simple 'Big Ask' for stock environments

Introduction:

It is quite surprising how often we get queries about serial numbering, and whether our system can either handle, or provide them. The question usually crops up after long discussions about the intricacies of stock management and how the BlueBox will be the tool that gives them the ability to finally deal with their many stock management issues. There is a pause and the question is asked in a half whisper, as if it it almost too much to hope for that we also “do serial numbers”. The awe, in our minds, is misplaced. To us, the intricacies of comprehensive stock control, which the BlueBox Business System handles with ease, is far more worthy of admiration. Serial numbering is simply a nice additional feature which adds value to the whole stock management process. Although not the most complex of subjects, our customers interest in the topic makes serialisation worthy of a brief whitepaper.......... read more

BlueBox business systems & the lean manufacturing operation

Introduction:
There is no doubt that the business software industry is fraught with anagrams, jargon and terminology. This can result in a lot of confusion, debate and interpretation as to the meanings of certain concepts. Combine with this the manufacturing specific names and terminology and one can have a tough time holding ones own in a conversation involving system specialists, engineers and business analysts in a manufacturing environment. Lean manufacturing is one of those terms that along with JIT, Kanban, Kaizen etc. has very specific meaning that is not necessarily fully understood by business system providers who purport to offer them..........read more

Make your warehouse more efficient!

Introduction:
If someone had to ask you to rate your warehouse's performance, how would you respond? Whether your operation is Retail, Manufacturing, Distribution or Wholesale in nature, and whether the answer is positive or negative, this is a question which you should know the answer to. Furthermore, you should have the information to back your answer up. If you are not certain of your answer to the question you have probably wondered whether a Warehouse Management System (often called WMS) would make a difference to the efficiency of your warehouse. If you are already have a WMS, you should know the answer already. The obvious challenges are deciding by what means you would measure performance, how you rate efficiency, and on what elements you would base that measure.......... read more

The request for quote process & the pre- procurement lifecycle

Introduction:

Culminating in the Request for Quote document, pre-procurement, as it's name implies, is the process that organisations go through prior to raising an official purchase order. The pre-procurement process is undoubtedly one of the more 'dry' subjects to cover in a whitepaper; never-the-less, it does have value as a business process and, particularly where businesses have significant capital expense, can have dramatic impact on an operations cashflow management. Larger, more complex organisations in particular face a number of challenges in this area, as runaway processes can quickly result in big numbers.......... read more