Industry-Specific Retail, POS Solutions Can Accelerate ROI
Updated: October 24, 2005
Microsoft Retail Management System’s Retail Bundles offer retailers affordable POS systems—without compromise.
If you're a retailer looking for a computerized solution to manage your everyday tasks, you're likely having difficulty finding one that will meet the particular needs of your business. Not sure where to turn to get a comprehensive system that doesn't need expensive customization? Here's where you can find complete solutions developed to meet the specialized needs of specific industries.
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Introducing Microsoft Retail Management System Bundles
Microsoft Retail Management System now provides specialized, no-fuss retail bundles—all-in-one software and hardware packages—tailored for the specific needs of the following industries:
| • | Apparel |
| • | Beer/wine/liquor |
| • | Gifts |
| • | Sporting goods |
By bundling an affordable package of hardware—or retail-hardened point-of-sale equipment—with Microsoft customized software, it's easier for you to automate your business and manage your store more efficiently. And because little customization is needed, you'll realize the return on your investment faster than with piecemeal systems.
Depending upon the size and complexity of your business, you can choose from standard and deluxe bundles for each of the four retail types listed above. You can also choose a bundle for a variety of verticals in specialty and general-merchandise retail. In addition, your new automated solution will be installed by a certified Microsoft partner near you—someone who will get you up and running fast.
And, it's affordable. Bundles start at $2,999 (installation, training, and support options are available for an extra fee)—a substantial savings over buying these components separately.
Standard Bundles
Standard, entry-level bundles are available for retailers of beer/wine/liquor, apparel, sporting goods, and gift stores, and provide simple solutions to meet the unique challenges of each business.
For software, you’ll get Microsoft Retail Management System, version 1.2. The software solution can help you:
| • | Easily automate inventory management. |
| • | Speed up credit card transactions. |
| • | Make productivity reports to help you make better buying decisions |
| • | Track your customers’ buying habits. |
| • | Gain more control over your business, saving you time and helping you increase profits. |
For hardware, you’ll get:
| • | Retail-hardened point-of-sale computer terminal |
| • | LCD monitor |
| • | Keyboard |
| • | Receipt printer |
| • | Cash drawer |
| • | Barcode scanner |
| • | Magnetic stripe reader |
| • | Required cable, accessories, and mouse |
Sporting Goods Retailers Deluxe Bundle
Sporting goods retailers face unique challenges in keeping a lean inventory, tracking items and warranty agreements, and building customer loyalty. Compete more effectively against big stores, and the Internet, by using the advanced capabilities of Microsoft Retail Management System’s deluxe bundle.
| • | Easy-to-understand, point-of-sale functionality helps your staff locate unique items—quickly. |
| • | Rich inventory reporting helps you make smart buying decisions. |
| • | Negotiate better with distributors because you know exactly what to reorder. |
| • | Speak knowledgeably about items to your customers and settle disputes quickly with complete customer buying histories. |
| • | Resolve warranty issues with easy access to complete information about your items. |
Besides the software solution, this deluxe bundle includes:
| • | Fully-enclosed point-of-sale unit. This special unit prevents the need for venting and water resistance. It’s a great feature for busy sporting goods stores where accidental water spills can happen by well-meaning staff members. |
| • | High-end trigger scanners. This scanner has a cord extension to allow for easy reaching over the counter to scan merchandise. |
| • | Top-quality thermal receipt printer. It also has a small footprint to help with space management at the point-of-sale area. |
Overall, you’ll get our deluxe hardware package for sporting goods retailers, which includes:
| • | Retail-hardened point-of-sale computer terminal |
| • | LCD monitor |
| • | Keyboard |
| • | Receipt printer |
| • | Cash drawer |
| • | Line display |
| • | Barcode scanner |
| • | Magnetic stripe reader |
| • | Required cable/accessories |
| • | Mouse |
Beer/Wine/Liquor Retailers Deluxe Bundle
Beer, wine, and liquor retailers manage hundreds of inventory items—all with similar characteristics. It’s often tough to figure out what’s selling, and overbuying can dig into profits. Among the top features that Microsoft Retail Management System can help:
| • | Rich reporting and inventory tracking features that lets store owners make smart buying decisions to better negotiate with distributors. |
| • | Easy-to-understand point-of-sale functionality helps speed up check-out lines. |
| • | Your staff will speak knowledgeably about stocked items, and they will know your customers’ buying histories. |
Besides the software solution, this deluxe bundle for beer/wine/liquor retailers includes:
| • | An omni-directional scanner. Perform physical inventory—the easy way. Manually updating inventory is a difficult process for many beer, wine, and liquor retailers, and many fail to restock inventory regularly. Microsoft Retail Management System makes this task simple with an omni-directional handheld scanner, which allows you to capture the UPC codes and corresponding quantities. The scanner—omni-directional means that it captures the codes even when it’s not perfectly lined up with the barcodes—saves the information, which is then updated in the computer. |
| • | Moisture-resistant touch screen. Grab a bottle from the cooler and your hands are wet, which can damage your computer equipment. The deluxe version’s moisture-resistant touch screen solves this issue. |
In addition, you’ll get our deluxe package for beer, wine, and liquor retailers, which includes the following hardware:
| • | All-in-one, retail-hardened point-of-sale computer terminal with LCD touch screen |
| • | Keyboard |
| • | Receipt printer |
| • | Cash drawer |
| • | Line display |
| • | Barcode scanner |
| • | Magnetic stripe reader |
| • | Required cable/accessories/mouse |
Apparel Retailers Deluxe Bundle
Apparel store owners face stiff competition, especially from larger retailers. Microsoft Retail Management System is designed to help them gain a competitive edge. Here are just a few features:
| • | The customized software offers easy-to-use inventory tracking so you know exactly which products—by color, size, style and more—are selling; custom sales reports promote intelligent buying. |
| • | Easy-to-understand touch-screen monitor lets sales staff quickly process the most complex transactions and item availability for customer requests. |
| • | You’ll have quick access to customer buying histories. |
Besides the software solution, this deluxe bundle for apparel retailers includes:
| • | Attractive, color-coordinated point-of-sale unit. We know that specialty apparel retailers can be style conscious, so we’re offering an attractive POS terminal with a small footprint. Your customers and employees will be impressed by its neat look. It creates a no-clutter atmosphere at the check-out line. |
| • | Special trigger scanner. Your job at your specialty apparel store is hard enough, so we’ve included a rapid scanner that’s ideal for accurately scanning merchandise—of all types, style and size of merchandise—and with the busy retailer in mind. |
Overall, the deluxe hardware package includes:
| • | Retail-hardened, point-of-sale computer |
| • | LCD touch-screen screen |
| • | Keyboard with MSR |
| • | Receipt printer |
| • | Cash drawer |
| • | Line display |
| • | Barcode scanner |
| • | Required cable/accessories/mouse |
Gift and Hobby Shop Retailer Bundles
For gift store owners, profitability is a key concern, and slow-moving inventory is the enemy of profit. Microsoft Retail Management System is designed to help you be more competitive. The software solution can help you:
| • | Manage point-of-sale and business processes with higher financial returns. |
| • | Maintain tight control over inventory and expenditures. |
| • | Provide better customer service and make strategic decisions based on accurate, current information. |
Besides the software solution, this deluxe bundle for gift and hobby shop retailers includes:
| • | High-end scanner. Busy gift shops often have long lines at the check-out counter. We’ve included an easy-to-use, high-end scanner to help speed up those long lines, which retailers will love, especially during peak holiday seasons. |
| • | Top-flight printer. Are your customers waiting in frustration as your old printer slowly transmits a printed receipt? The deluxe bundle for gift retailers will help you resolve that issue. It comes with a top-speed printer that quickly stamps out receipts and other documents in seconds. |
Overall, the deluxe hardware package for gift and hobby shop retailers includes:
| • | Retail-hardened, point-of-sale computer |
| • | LCD touch-screen screen |
| • | Keyboard |
| • | Receipt printer |
| • | Cash drawer |
| • | Line display |
| • | Hand-held barcode scanner |
| • | Required cable/accessories/mouse |
