May 2005 Microsoft® point–of-sale (POS) solutions, including Microsoft Point of Sale and Microsoft Retail Management System, enable small and midsize retailers to level the playing field in today’s competitive retail environment. With its ease of use, affordability and reliability, Microsoft point-of-sale solutions are used by thousands of retailers in dozens of verticals, helping them manage inventory, control cash, reduce costs and improve customer service. Microsoft point-of-sale solutions work with Microsoft Office applications and widely adopted financial software such as QuickBooks and Microsoft Business Solutions–Great Plains®. Microsoft Point of Sale provides small retailers with an easy-to-use application to track sales, inventory and customer information. Designed to replace a cash register, Microsoft Point of Sale saves time and money, automating stores at an affordable price. Microsoft Point of Sale works with Microsoft Office and QuickBooks financial software to streamline store operations. Retailers can use Microsoft Point of Sale out of the box with existing PCs and peripherals, or purchase complete hardware and software bundles from leading technology providers. Microsoft Retail Management System provides small and medium-sized retailers with an integrated point-of-sale solution to manage operations in stores and across the business. This powerful software package enables retailers to track inventory more efficiently and improve customer service. Microsoft Retail Management System can be customized for specific business requirements, providing retailers with sophisticated functionality at an affordable price. Microsoft Retail Management System integrates with well-known financial packages, including Microsoft Great Plains and QuickBooks. Retailers can use Microsoft Retail Management System out of the box with existing PCs and peripherals, or purchase complete hardware and software bundles from leading technology providers. Microsoft Retail Management System in combination with Microsoft Great Plains provides a comprehensive solution for retailers that manage their store and financial and inventory operations from a central location. Retail Management System and Great Plains meet the needs of companies with sophisticated business requirements. Complete Hardware and Software Solutions Featuring Microsoft Point-of-Sale Solutions | • | Industry-specific point-of-sale solutions. For independent retailers in specific niche markets, vertical bundles of software and hardware designed for small and medium-sized retailers specializing in beer-wine-liquor, apparel, sporting goods, gifts and hobbies, and specialty retail are being distributed by ScanSource Inc. and Tech Data Corp. The bundles, which include Microsoft Retail Management System, allow independent merchants to invest in information technology at a lower cost than if they purchased the components separately. Bundles start at $2,999 (U.S.) manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) and do not include hardware or software support and services. | | • | Complete point-of-sale solution by Microsoft, IBM Corp. and Symbol Technologies Inc. — three of the most-trusted names in technology. Microsoft, IBM and Symbol offer an integrated, all-in-one, software-hardware-peripheral point-of-sale system for small and medium-sized retailers. At the core of the solution is Microsoft Retail Management System. Hardware from IBM includes the IBM SurePOS 300 point-of-sale system, IBM retail keyboard, IBM ThinkVision 15-inch flat-panel display, IBM SureMark receipt printer and IBM cash drawer. Symbol is contributing the Symbol LS-2208 Scanner. The solution is complete, fully integrated and ready to run out of the box. The solution is being offered to certified reselling partners exclusively through ScanSource at a price of $2,999 (U.S.) MSRP. This bundled solution sets a new standard for affordability from three of the most-trusted names in retail technology. The price includes one year of on-site hardware service on the SurePOS 300 point-of-sale system and a five-year warranty on the LS-2208 Scanner. Optional software services and support packages are available from Microsoft Business Solutions and reselling partners. |
Key Benefits | • | Manage inventory more efficiently. Microsoft point-of-sale solutions allow retailers to manage by the numbers, not by instinct; negotiate better price points with suppliers; eliminate manual inventory tracking; gain a complete view of their business; and immediately access real-time reports. | | • | Provide more personal and professional service to customers. With Microsoft point-of-sale solutions, retailers can easily spot sales trends, understand what customers want and need, free up their counter space, and provide greater accuracy in store transactions. | | • | Adopt an affordable and easy-to-use solution. Microsoft point–of-sale solutions can be installed quickly with minimal training time. The POS technology has the ability to integrate with the Microsoft Office System and accounting programs such as QuickBooks and Microsoft Great Plains. Faster transactions are enabled through touch screens and scanning. | | • | Gain more control over the business, cash and employees. Microsoft point-of-sale solutions empower retailers to track employee actions at the POS and improve their productivity; to recognize when and how theft or shrinkage occurs; and to provide employees with the right amount of authority and access to systems. It also eliminates the need for them to be on site at all times. |
Availability and Pricing Microsoft point-of-sale solutions are available worldwide. Microsoft Point of Sale pricing starts at $799 (U.S.) MSRP* for a single store, single lane. Microsoft Retail Management System pricing starts at $1,190 (U.S.) MSRP* for a single store, single lane. Complete hardware-software bundle solutions that include Microsoft Retail Management System start at $2,999 (U.S.) MSRP.* * Reseller prices may vary. Microsoft and Great Plains are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
| 
