Is there a solution? There are many till systems that have stock tracking, but it is the newer cloud-based ones that have the greatest capability. Given the rural location of most farm shops, installing a cloud based till system has to be weighed up against connectivity restraints. Some of the best cloud system have “Edge” architecture that enables the tills to continue operating if internet connectivity is weak or lost completely. So how do they work? The best systems in this space work on tablet devices, which can be combined with hardware such as cash drawers, enabling staff to serve from a single location or move around the store. These are linked to payment devices via Bluetooth and wi-fi so that as the total is rung through the till, the payment value appears on the payment terminal. This prevents errors in processing as well as supporting multiple payment types. Stock values are updated in real time and can be synced across multiple locations or till points. Sales and stock information is then updated into the finance system daily to sync with payment deposits from the payment gateways, enabling one click reconciliations as well as compliance with Making Tax Digital’s digital links. Dashboards are always available for management to see what is occurring in real time in their shops, cafes and restaurants from any location.
In conclusion All of this is possible when you select the most appropriate system for your needs and configure it in the right way. When sales are processed automatically the finance team can then focus on expense management as well as assessing what is and isn’t successful in your retail premises. But with any change of system comes the challenge of change management and the impact on the team. Processes will need to be adapted, training undertaken and support secured. Getting this right can transform how you and your team work, and enable you to use your retail resources more productively.
AGRICULTURE AND FARMING | SCRUTTON BLAND | 9
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