Barcode

A barcode is a computer readable representation of information. Initially, barcodes stored data in the widths and spacing of printed parallel lines, but today they also come in patterns of dots, concentric circles, and text codes. Barcodes can be read by optical scanners called barcode readers or scanner. Barcodes are widely used to implement automatic data capture systems that improve the speed and accuracy of computer data entry.

Some common and widely used barcode symbology
UPC, UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN, EAN-8, EAN-13, Code 39, Code 93, Code 128, RSS-14, CODABAR, INTERLEAVED, DISCRETE
RFID

RFID is an abbreviated form of Radio Frequency IDentification, a technology similar in theory to bar code identification.

An RFID system may consist of several components: tags, tag readers, tag programming stations, circulation readers, sorting equipment, and tag inventory wands. Security can be handled in two ways. Security gates can query the ILS to determine its security status or the tag may contain a security bit which would be turned on and off by circulation or self-check reader stations.

The purpose of an RFID system is to enable data to be transmitted by a portable device, called a tag, which is read by an RFID reader and processed according to the needs of a particular application. The data transmitted by the tag may provide identification or location information, or specifics about the product tagged, such as price, color, date of purchase, etc.

RFID systems can be used just about anywhere, from apparels to accessories, cassettes and cd’s to food products — anywhere that a unique identification system is needed. The tag can carry information as simple as a unique number or complex information.

Usage of Bar code
Almost 95% of packed and packaged items purchased from a department or a grocery store carry a barcode on it. This helps a retailer for faster checkouts and tracking inventory placed in-store or warehouse. Both consumers and retailers have benefited from the usage of this technology. Recently, its usage has expanded to scanning electric or telephone bills, movie tickets and providing entries to sports arenas and temples. In large organizations, bar codes are often used to maintain office file system.

Usage of RFID
The use of RFID is not as wide-spread as bar code. Although, RFID is used
•  as a security device for high-ticket (high-value) goods,
•  to reduce inventory cost by having faster, real-time update of inventory flow, and
•  to one day facilitate human-less store checkouts.

Differentiating barcode and RFID technologies

Theoretically, bar coding and RFID are quite similar; both are planned to provide rapid and reliable item identification-and-tracking capabilities. The primary difference between the two technologies is that bar coding scans a printed label with optical laser or imaging technology, while RFID scans, or interrogates, a tag using radio frequency signals. Because of the low cost of bar code labels, established standards, and global deployment, bar coding is a widely accepted, mature technology, while, in the past, RFID had been limited to niche applications. Furthermore, just as there are different bar code symbologies in use today, there are different RFID standards for RF communications protocols.

Further, RFID tags are often envisioned as a replacement for UPC or EAN bar-codes, having a number of important advantages over the older bar-code technology. RFID codes are long enough that every RFID tag may have a unique code, while current UPC codes are limited to a single code for all instances of a particular product. The uniqueness of RFID tags means that a product may be individually tracked as it moves from location to location, finally ending up in the consumer’s hands.

It will be partial to name one, as bar code and RFID technologies are not mutually exclusive, nor will one replace the other. They are two different technologies with two different cost profiles and application usage. They are both enabling technologies with different physical attributes. Bar codes utilize one-way, serialized, and periodic data. RFID utilizes two-way, parallel, and real-time data.

In recent times, awareness for both the technologies has grown to a huge extent. Almost all the major retailers of Class A and Class B cities have implemented these solutions as core component of their business. To generate maximum output from limited resources, one has to think out-of-the-box. The use of these technologies is increasing like a rapid fire. The scope of these systems is huge and increasing day-by-day to support retail industry.

“The term speaks for itself”. POS or Point-of-Sale software is used at location where goods are sold to customers. All sales transaction are made through the software and stored in computer. You provide information like item description, selling price, quantity sold, amount of discount given, tax collected and a few more.

Since the computer records everything, it automates all kind of tasks for you. For example, it gives you a few reports on key tips such as sales for the day, day end report, tax registers, stock statement and more for any specified period.

This is just and example of POS software but there’s lot more to it.

Infact, a few good POS software works as a complete retail management system and does one or more of the following:
·         Point of Sale
·         Inventory / Stock maintenance
·         Financial / Retail Accounting
·         Customer Relationship Management
·         Management Information System
·         Supply Chain Management
·         Store Management
·         Automatic Order Generation
·         Planogram / Space Management
·         Electronic Data Interchange
·         And much more
Now you must be thinking that one or more of above listed features are easily available in any general business application or any standard accounting software. They simply track inventory and maintain financial books. They’re all same.

WRONG…

Every system is designed to suite specific need. There are some features or benefits in common because they share a common business model. But when you start evaluating you will find…
POS software is designed to suite your business
A retail or pos software is designed to suite the needs of a retail atmosphere where as a generic business application targets mass and do not cater to specific needs of retail.
Fast, Accurate and Time saving
Another advantage of retail software is they use barcode technology which makes checkout faster, accurate and there is minimal scope of human errors.
Integrated system saves time and money
Retail management software has add-on modules like loyalty programs, decision-making tools and reports, and also keeps financials in place. This saves your time as you have to record each transaction in only one system and also helps you in fast retrieval of information as and when required. Hence scope of human errors is minimized.

The term USP or Unique Selling Proposition is frequently used now a days. This is something which helps you stay ahead in the competitive world, something that makes you different from your competitors, be it a product or a service or both.

By following these simple steps you can easily find out what is your (your store’s) USP ?

1. Ask Yourself – You need to find out what you offer to your customers which is different from what your competitors offer. You can also consider your layout including furniture & fixture, interior and exterior decor, product range, services you offer. This is what completely makes you different and why people buy from you.

2. Ask your Customers – Why they are here? They may be here because your store is close to their house, or you are located in a market complex or you actually provide good customer service and support when they need it. Believe me, this is the real practical input that people often overlook.

3. Ask your Team – staff – Ask them what makes them work here. It’s only the pay or the relationship you share with them. Ask them what makes them feel good here. What are your positives and negatives including products and services you offer.

Once you have the complete list, make a summary of top 5 or 10 answers. Now you have something in common and something uncommon. This is what is your USP and what exactly you are looking at.

This USP makes you stay ahead of the competition, makes you the leader. You can also use some phrase or sentence to make a punch line for your store, business or organization. This punch line will help bring down the customer to your door step and ultimately increase your brand value.

FusionRetail helps you to do that in just a 2 key press.

• At the POS screen press F10 for Tender Screen
• Then Press Insert at the cash mode which is default
• Next enter the cash amount
• And then scroll to Credit Card Field and again press Insert key
• It will automatically calculate the balance amount for you.

Like wise you can accept multiple mode of payment from a customer.

The barcode is not reading at the pos counter and other 2 customers standing in queue. 

If your operators says “please do not buy this – select something else” you loose 20% margin on that sale. 

FusionRetail helps you to be prepare for unexpected.

It’s innovative search function is easy to learn. The operator can find the product by SKU Code, Name, Brand, Group and Department Etc.

The customer says “I bought this red shirt yesterday but can you change it to black one”.

Technically speaking, the red shirt needs to be stoked-in and the black shirt needs to be stocked-out. This becomes more complex if there is a change in price.  This involves a complex process of Sales, Sales Return and adjusting the price difference. 

FusionRetail Exchange function from the POS Screen — It does all the calculation for you on a single key press. 

You have already scanned 20 items for a customer and the customer wants you to the transaction till he come back with some more item and there are 2 more customers standing in the queue.
In the FusionRetail POS use these function to handle this kind of scenario

1. Press the HOLD button or press  “Ctrl + R”
   
2. It will ask some input so that you can identify that customer later.
   
3. Enter some thing like “blue shirt”
   
4. Proceed for the next customer checkout.
   
5. Once that customer comes back and asking for two more item to be added in his bill
   
6. Just press Retrieve or  press “Ctrl + R”
   
7. From the list select the Blue shirt
   
8. Scan the items to be added to the bill.
   
9. Tender
   

When giving change to retail customers, do NOT, as most cashiers do, hand them the receipt, coins, and bills all at once.

Reason : the customer already has one hand occupied holding the item purchased, making it awkward and difficult to separate these three items.

A better practice for your cashiers:

• First input the total amount customer is giving into the POS system.
• FusionRetail POS Tender will show you the balance to be returned.
• Use Customer Display to show the value of current item and total amount.
• Then,  put the receipt in the bag for the customer instead of handing it to him.
• Next, give him the coins, and wait until he puts them in his pocket.
• Finally hand him the bills, which he will put in his wallet.