Image Retail Solutions has been serving the convenience sector for over 20 years. Their popular ProEPOS software provides a complete suite of features for maximising margins, detecting staff fraud and optimising store operations, and they’re now offering a free hardware scheme to retailers.
Fresh perspective
Many symbol groups have been offering free EPOS systems to their affiliated stores for some time, so the idea of free EPOS isn’t new, but these offerings always come with spend commitments or other strings attached. Image Retail has re-written the rule book and opened the door to free systems for independents as well as symbol stores.
Why now?
With the rising running costs that FMCG retailers face, optimising store operations and maximising margins has never been more important. Most retailers understand the benefits of EPOS but not always the importance of choosing a system that can deliver the key features that make a real difference to the business, from a company that can deliver the level of service that business owners demand. Most systems worth their salt come at a price premium and historically have been out of reach of the smaller retailer.
With the company’s free EPOS system rollout, transitioning from an old or basic system which can’t deliver the benefits of an enterprise grade solution is now within the reach of the tightest budgets.There’s no upfront cost for the hardware, just an affordable monthly support fee that provides help desk support and on-site cover for the equipment.
As well as new business from independents, the company has also seen an uptick in interest from retailers using symbol affiliated systems who want to regain their independence or want more advanced functionality. A symbol affiliated system for example won’t offer price comparisons of stock between wholesalers.
Bespoke features
The system provided under the company’s free EPOS scheme has back office links to all the major FMCG wholesalers and symbols (Booker, Londis, Budgens, Parfetts, Bestway, Costcutter, Nisa, etc). This means stores receive daily product file updates, electronic delivery notes and monthly promo updates. It also provides a wealth of advanced features bespoke to the industry like cigarette gantry integration, scratch card stock tracking and ESEL integration (electronic shelf edge labels, which the company can also provide).
Image also provide a suite of smartphone apps with their systems including scan and shop, home shopping and a virtual HHT (handheld terminal) app that transforms the retailer’s smartphone into a handheld terminal.
The Offer
The free EPOS system that the company is offering comprises a full size touch screen terminal, integrated customer facing TFT advertising screen, barcode scanner, cash drawer and receipt printer. All systems are preloaded with the feature rich ProEPOS software application which links to all the major wholesalers and recognises over 2 million barcodes from the box.
Professionally Installed
All systems are professionally installed by a network of engineers, with introductory guidance provided, followed by handover to the 7 day support desk for more detailed training. Preloaded with the main wholesaler’s product file and linked to a cloud database of over 2m products, it’s ready to use from the box.
Wholesaler Integrations
The system links to the major wholesalers and symbols for price file updates, ordering and delivery note downloads, with monthly promotional offers also fed down. There are also weekly price file updates from the Association of Newspaper & Magazine Wholesalers and Sales Based Replenishment integration with Smiths.
Smartphone Apps
A suite of apps are available for every need, including in-store shopping, delivery and click & collect and also a virtual handheld terminal app for staff to use (iPhone and Android compatible) for price checking, order creation and stock taking on the shop floor.
Back Office
Multiple back office options are available. There’s a native back office application suitable for desktop/laptop or a cloud back office that’s accessible from almost any device including smartphone and tablet. The full suite of back office functions is also available directly from the till terminal itself; ideal in smaller stores where space is restricted.
Support & Maintenance
The company provides a multi-lingual 7 day help desk and a UK-wide network of engineers who provide on-site service and repairs. This compares very favourably with the majority of competitors on the market who offer return-to-base or courier swap outs.
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