Considering POS Software

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Ken Ryan

Ken Ryan

Grumbler
Joined
Mar 11, 2007
Posts
19
Loc
Croton Falls NY
I've got a new shop and am considering POS software. I am looking at Specialtysoft, Lifesaver and Frameready. I'm researching each but could use some feedback from fellow framers already using these systems.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

btw: this is my first grumble posting...so be gentle.

Thanks
 
Welcome Ken!

We have used Full Calc and Lifesaver in my shop....currently using Lifesaver. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Once you get it set up with your prices its so easy to use. Good luck!
 
Check them all out....regardless, one is better than none!

NcFramingChick said:
...We have used Full Calc and Lifesaver in my shop....currently using Lifesaver. I wouldn't trade it for anything....
Click to expand...

This young lady, NcFraming Chick could continue...."but I really know nothing about Specialty Soft as I've never used it!

The truth is that very few framers had experience with one or perhaps two of the POS software programs. Seldom will you find any framer with experience with 4-5 POS software programs.

You should..
  • Did through the archives of this forum and take a good look at each tread that asks similar questions...
  • talk to framers that use 'whosever pos software' and ask them each what they like and don't like about what they currently use.
  • Go to one of the two major trade shows and put your hands on the software up front and personal ......and determine what you feel most comfortable with....
  • Recognize that Specialty Soft, FrameReady, and LifeSaver are the big 3. Their are others that are noteworthy, but the truth is that these three represent 98% of the industry.
  • Truthfully.....all three will do the job!
  • Recognize that each POS software vendor has strengths over their competition and weaknesses. Look at what is important to you.

Regards,

John
 
Check them all out....regardless, one is better than none!

NcFramingChick said:
...We have used Full Calc and Lifesaver in my shop....currently using Lifesaver. I wouldn't trade it for anything....
Click to expand...

This young lady, NcFraming Chick could continue...."but I really know nothing about Specialty Soft as I've never used it!

The truth is that very few framers had experience with one or perhaps two of the POS software programs. Seldom will you find any framer with experience with 4-5 POS software programs.

You should..
  • Did through the archives of this forum and take a good look at each tread that asks similar questions...
  • talk to framers that use 'whosever pos software' and ask them each what they like and don't like about what they currently use.
  • Go to one of the two major trade shows and put your hands on the software up front and personal ......and determine what you feel most comfortable with....
  • Recognize that Specialty Soft, FrameReady, and LifeSaver are the big 3.
  • Recognize that each POS software vendor has strengths over their competition and weaknesses. Examine at what is important to you.

Regards,

John
 
Hey Ken.

Welcome to the grumble. You started your post off great! So don't worry about that. Anyways we use Frameready and are extremely happy with it. It is very easy to use and update and works well with our CMC. Tech support is great and we have had no real issues. It backs up very nicely, nice small files as well as the invoices look great. Hope that this helps.

Justin Alvarez
 
Ken,

Welcome to the Grumble and congratulations on taking this important step to modernize and organize your operation!

There was a recent thread in the computer & POS forum that posed the same question, and had a lot of positive feedback. Rather than duplicate the response, i'll link you to the other post. Inside the post, you'll find some great advice as well as links to a POS Comparison List, the recent grumble survey about pos software, and an article from PFM (Feb 2006) that went over the benefits of going with a POS and some tips for selecting one to fit your needs.

It requires a bit of research, to try the various demos and see what you and your staff are comfortable with. Note that everyone will be proud of their choice, and may not be familiar with what else is out there. Because of that, I suggest grabbing the demos to form your own opinion. The top systems share similar features and benefits, and all have great tech support.

If you will be using the product with the new Windows Vista, check with the vendors to make sure it is supported. I know that Vista does NOT yet work with any of the visualization systems. I have tested Vista here with LifeSaver, and it works.

If you scan through the Tech & Software forum, you'll find a lot of opinions and advice.

http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?t=23198

Best regards and welcome to the Grumble!

Mike Labbe
co-moderator
one of the resident computer geeks
 
When we opened we started off with Specialty Soft Lite. We switched two years ago to LifeSaver primairly because of the "Free Tru-Vue Offer & the fact that I accientally pushed the wrong button and agreed to purchase when setting up the trail version) Well we wasted the first year of free service due to our own procrastination. We have only went live with it since Jan. 07. Honestly I find it very frustrating and not very intuitive.

I imagine that once I finally get used to it, it will be just fine and it does have all of the finacial / reports that our version of LifeSaver Lite was lacking. In retrospect though, I think in my case it would have been easier if I had just paid the extra and upgrade my SS to full version. If I had run the demo first without agreeing to the purchase by mistake I would probably have done so.

As has been said so many times before about the differents POS's and CMC's most people are loyal to what they have. Definetly get POS soon, but take a good look at all of them. It needs to work the way you think, or it will be frustrating. Trying to change the way you think to match it, is kind of like trying to change your personality to make someone else happy, usually doesn't work.:cry:
 
I use Lifesaver and am super happy with it. That being said, I would go to the Baltimore show and give them ALL a spin.

In all honesty, I only tryed Lifesaver and was so happy I never tryed the others.

When you do this, you will not beleive the difference! Customers do not argue with a computer quote hardly at all. They trust computers more then people!

Plus, now, when you are adding up all those prices in front of your customer, thier stress level is rising too:icon45: . The speed of the POS takes alot of the anticipation out for your customer. You can give them severval quotes in a matter of seconds.

I just can't say enough about POS and the advantages!

Good Decision!:thumbsup: And Welcome to the Grumble!
 
Welcome Ken. From one newbie to another. I use Specialty Soft. Got it in 2002 from the Atlanta show. Started out using the Lite version, but have upgraded to the full version. Have had good response from sales and tech support via email or phone. I like the flexibility fo the software. Hope this helps
 
This is one of those areas where whichever decision you make, you will probably be happy with.

John's post was the best process to follow an dI would add that I would make a list of the things you know you need. Not all will do all and most will do more than you need

I would talk to the people, also. It's always about the people

We narrowed it down to Paul Thomas or Carol Graham and it was close

We settled on LifeSaver and have been very happy with the support and they have worked with us a few personal projects that were important to us

I don't endorse any product nor do I work for anyone, but I do recommend them

I must say that you are in a very good position in that you are not switching one for another. That probably creates more problems than any other
 
Ken,
Welcome to the Grumble. Sounds like you have made the best decision already and that is getting a pos system for your shop.
Try whats out there and see what you like. I have used Specialty Soft, Frame Ready, and Life Saver. I like the ease and convience of Life Saver, It's fantastic and saves so much time. It also makes you money and saves you from costly mistakes...
Good Luck on your decision and as always, happy framing...
 
Welcome

I went from nothing to Lifesaver several years ago. I love it. As everyone else has said, whatever you chose will do the job.

The thing that I like is that everything works together, POS, CMC, Frame Vue, Creditcard processing, And didital custom (just getting ready to add)

Good luck with the research.
 
Speicalty Soft

Do your homework as with everything in business and you will end up with the right answer for you. I started with Framers Assistant(now gone) in 1990 moved to FulCalc which has all but disappeared and then researched a selection from the 3 major players in POS. I chose Specialty Soft for a number of reasons. They own and operate a successful framing business so they know what is involved in the framing process - first hand. All you could want is integrated into their software: tutorial videos, POS, Quickbooks, Visualization, Credit Processing, Wizard CMC - it's all right there. They also have all levels: free demo, a lite version, full POS, small chain version, and full large chain corporate version. Periodically they have free online educational seminars to help you better understand and utilize Specialty Soft to improve your business. All that combined with great support - they can even remotely log into your computer to talk you through any issues live right on screen. I also suggest that you give Olivia Shaw at Specialty Soft, a call (800) 417-9248, she's great - helpful, knowledgeable and can answer questions you might not have thought to ask.
 
Hello Ken, from a fellow newbie to the grumble...

The replies you have received so far are good ones. The only wrong choice, in my humble opinion, is no software.

We used Fullcalc from about 1997-2001, when we switched to SpecialtySoft and have loved it. At that time we looked at 3-4 of the systems and talked with many users. SS was the fit for us.

I especially like the depth of reports that are available to look at various aspects of the business, many of which would have been impossible to gather the data for by hand. We also handle many gift items in our gallery and SS manages all that for us as well.

This process is like buying a car -- you need to find the one that offers the features, etc that are important to you. In the long run, that is most important. That might mean a buying Yugo, that might mean buying a Cadillac.....

Mark Roberts (aka 'The Accidental Framer')
Eagle Creek Gallery
Minnesota
 
Mark,
Let me be the first to welcome you to the 'Grumble'. We are glad to heve you here and hope you feel free to chime in as time permits. 'Accidental Framer', I'm sure there is quite a story that brought about that title, maybe you will share it with us one day?
 
FrameReady

If you have access to PPFA's Online Exchange (aka Hitchhikers), there was recently a Lifesaver vs. Frameready discussion there (around Feb. 10).

Here's the response I posted on PPFA's thread:
We started out using LifeSaver because it was free for the first year. As a computer programmer, I found it very non-intuitive and restrictive. We just switched to FrameReady in October and I love it. One of the main advantages for me is that it's written on top of a commercially available database program (Filemaker Pro), so I can look at the underlying data any way I want if I don't like the options available in the interface.

A couple of other advantages I see for FrameReady over Lifesaver:
- Better customer management tools
- Easier navigation between parts of the program
- More intuitive reports
- FrameReady is a more complete solution for running a frameshop. I can manage customers, vendors and orders all from one system.
- FrameReady allows you to save photos of the completed work or work in progress with the customer order.
- FrameReady has awesome support, and they've got great tutorials right on their website.

Advantages of Lifesaver over FrameReady:
- Price update downloads are easier in Lifesaver.
- Lifesaver downloads pricing for TruVue glass. FrameReady doesn't and won't because TruVue and Lifesaver have a business partnership.
- Lifesaver has integration with DigitalCustom for photo restoration and image enhancement services.
- Lifesaver can integrate with PowerPay for credit card processing.

Price comparisons:
- FrameReady is pricier up front but has lower annual costs
- Lifesaver is free up front but has higher annual costs
 
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