POS SYSTEM

[dlhm]

I just installed a POS system and have found the pricing to be nearly impossible to navigate. I t has been 4 days of frustration and I still don;t think that some of the preset tables are correct. The installed prices were pretty hefty and I don;t think our customers would tolerate it. THe mouldings we got through fairly well but it is the fit, glass, mounting, etc that we are having a tough time Any thoughts

 

[David Knox]

Which POS system did you install?

 

[Mike Labbe]

Hi and welcome to the grumble!

The example prices that come with the POS software are not meant to work "out of the box" for every market. Prices that work in NYC won't work in Alabama. They are just a guide to get you started, and in many cases were probably set several years ago as part of the installer program.

When we installed our POS, we found the default prices to be set very high; as if in the Manhattan market.

We shopped our market, spoke with other shops we were on good terms with, and decided on default markups for mouldings, labor, and mats that are slightly higher than the local market.

We erased all the glass prices and calculated our own, based on actual cost from our vendor and a floating markup.

That was almost 3 years ago, and i think we've adjusted the prices about 10 times since. It's a constantly changing matrix that requires some thought and research of your market - and of your workflow/time management.

Which one did you get?

Congratulations!
Mike

 

[JFeig]

To be honest, I do not remember what the pre-set prices were for FrameReady when I converted from FullCalc. I have tweeked my POS system prices since 1991 and loaded them in without regard to what was pre-loaded.

As far a catagories are concerned, I have the following:

Fitting charges....... 26 (some are $0.00)
Types of mounts....... 62
Types of glass........ 60 (some are for ovals)
Extras................ 50 (some are $0.00 as Example "Not to FACTS / PPFA Industry standards" or "customer supplied mount")

 

[Jerry Ervin]

Types of mounts....... 62

WOW! How can you have so many? How do you keep them all straight? How many people/employees use that database?

Glazing I have 14, mounting 12, fitting 5, and extras 18. I thought that was a lot.

I guess you are using some of the lines with zero dollars as a way to put pre-determined 'notes' into the ticket.

 

[JFeig]

Ex:
stretch on board
stretch on bars
stretch on HD bars
stretch on sealed bars
stretch - lace
stretch - block
stretch - back staple
stretch - HD back staple
stretch - sew on fabric over bars

 

[dlhm]

Originally posted by Sherry Gray:
Which POS system did you install?

Frameready

 

[dlhm]

Originally posted by Mike-L@GTP:
Hi and welcome to the grumble!

The example prices that come with the POS software are not meant to work "out of the box" for every market. Prices that work in NYC won't work in Alabama. They are just a guide to get you started, and in many cases were probably set several years ago as part of the installer program.

When we installed our POS, we found the default prices to be set very high; as if in the Manhattan market.

We shopped our market, spoke with other shops we were on good terms with, and decided on default markups for mouldings, labor, and mats that are slightly higher than the local market.

We erased all the glass prices and calculated our own, based on actual cost from our vendor and a floating markup.

That was almost 3 years ago, and i think we've adjusted the prices about 10 times since. It's a constantly changing matrix that requires some thought and research of your market - and of your workflow/time management.

Which one did you get?

Congratulations!
Mike

 

[dlhm]

Originally posted by Mike-L@GTP:
Hi and welcome to the grumble!

The example prices that come with the POS software are not meant to work "out of the box" for every market. Prices that work in NYC won't work in Alabama. They are just a guide to get you started, and in many cases were probably set several years ago as part of the installer program.

When we installed our POS, we found the default prices to be set very high; as if in the Manhattan market.

We shopped our market, spoke with other shops we were on good terms with, and decided on default markups for mouldings, labor, and mats that are slightly higher than the local market.

We erased all the glass prices and calculated our own, based on actual cost from our vendor and a floating markup.

That was almost 3 years ago, and i think we've adjusted the prices about 10 times since. It's a constantly changing matrix that requires some thought and research of your market - and of your workflow/time management.

Which one did you get?

Congratulations!
Mike

I got frameready on a recommendation. I was just not expecting to have it be so involved to set up. I am fairly computer literate and I was exceedinlgy frustrated in the set up. the pricing structure is very much trial and error and it is not really flexible from low end to high end. I agree the prices were outrageous, especially if you are getting a volume discount. I am feeling better today, but I was expecting to have my employees use it already and I think it will be awhile before it is utilized. They were not especially hep on using it anyway and now I think they're frightened. IT did feel good to vent though.

 

[Mike Labbe]

That's why we're here. I'm sure the appeal will return once you've decided on a pricing strategy and get it all into the computer. note: This WILL take more than a day, so be patient. You have to be confident in the programs ability before you can expect your employees to accept it, which may be a challenge in itself.

We use Lifesaver software at our shop, but FrameReady is also a fine and popular product common to many Grumblers. It's ranks in the top 3 according to the "technology poll" results in the main forum. Its biggest advantage is the cross platform support for both MAC and PC systems.

Carol from FrameReady (nickname: "Smile with Style")is very active here, and i'm sure will be glad to answer your questions or concerns. She is one of the most pleasant people I've ever met.

Hang in there, it's worth the effort!

Mike
resident propellerhead

 

[Framerguy]

dlhm,

I have used FrameReady since v.2.0 and it is a joy to use. You can set up any and all pricing structures to the penny if you want and can change the structure to account for increases in overhead or such as needed by dollar amount or a percentage.

Go to the FrameReady homepage and sign in and go to the "Palette" which is their discussion forum. (Much like the operation of this forum but dedicated to FR questions and problems.) Carol, Bert, or one of the crew will help you set up your pricing schedules and you can also get answers from other FR owners who frequent the forum. Be patient, it isn't used as much as this forum so it may take a few days to get answers to your questions.

My pricing structure for mouldings, for example, is taken from their example on the webpage dealing with moulding pricing. I modified it somewhat to reflect the local economy but it is broken down so specifically as to compensate for "borderline" priced mouldings that could turn out costing less at a certain price point increase than the old pricing. That happens alot when you are using many of the "chart" pricing guides that are broken down in larger increments.

Good luck.

Framerguy