Our global reach gets Sintel Systems questions from everywhere. If its in place that sells products, we get the questions. We  received another question from a customer from Moscow, Russia after they had visited us on www.MoscowPointOfSale.com. This question was asked previously, so we decided to offer it in Russian as well. You can read the English version at:

When should I purchase POS and CCTV system? Before opening?

For our Russian audience, please continue reading:

Когда  мне лучше покупать POS систему и камеры видео наблюдения, заранее?

Когда возникает идея открытия бизнеса, продумываются все этапы: когда, где и собственно что, а именно, какой тип бизнеса начнет свое существование. Но возникает ли при этом вопрос о том, какую POS систему лучше использовать или какие камеры купить? К сожалению, существуют такие факторы, при которых не всегда удается контролировать ситуацию. Однако существуют сотни критических ситуаций, которые дожны быть контролируемыми. Управление временем-одна из них. Приведем пример: Вы не станите заваливать гордироб летними вещами, когда на улице -20С или вы не станите продавать новогодние открытки в Марте месяце. Ведь это будет абсолютно не логично!

Готовые POS системы под открытие предприятия в тот же день.

Именно поэтому, основная концентрация внимания должна быть нацелена на принятие логических решений. Найди время для обдумывания, спокойно, без эмоций.

Но давайте же все-таки вернемся к тому моменту, когда мы начинаем задаваться вопрос о том, какую  POS систему лучше покупать и какие камеры установить и вмеcте с тем, где взять все сопутствующее оборудование.

этом вы можете прочитать: Кто мне может помочь с бизнес-консалтингом?

-   У меня не хватает времени: Если вы думаете, у вас нет времени, то готовьтесь заранее, когда вы открываете бизнес. POS и камеры видео наблюдения помогут вам сэкономить столь необходимое время. Посмотрите на это как на вашего молчаливого помощника: Сколько может стоить ошибка неправильной регитрации наличности в кассовом аппарате?

-   Мне не хватает финансов: Очень понятно. Если так, посмотрите еще раз и пожалуйста, прочитайте: Мне нужно несколько систем POS с ограниченными финансами. Какие у меня варианты? Может стоить посмотреть на использованные или недорогие системы POS?

-    Позвольте мне посмотреть, что происходит: Вы входите в бизнес, чтобы преуспеть и поэтому, необходимо взять все под свой контроль. Мы все слышали”не берут нож против пистолета.” Та  же концепция. Ваши конкуренты используют все возможные методы.

Контакт  в США

Для того, чтобы связаться с Синтел Системс на русском, пожалуйста звоните по телефону  8~10 + 1 +818-800-9064

Позвоните нам  855-POS-SALES или 855-CCTV-SALES
www.SintelSystems.com
Хотите узнать, как мы можем предлагать такие  продукты и услуги по конкурентоспособным ценам? Пожалуйста, прочитайте: Как Синтел Системс предлагает лучшие POS, но по относительно дешевым ценам?

** В данный момент, все POS модели используются на английском языке, но при необходимости могут быть также легко перенастроены на русский язык. POS системы на русском языке ожидаются в продаже в 2012 году.

Sintel Systems is www.GlobalPointOfSale.com & www.RussiaPointofSale.com

We get questions from across the world and we recently received a question from a Russian customer which was asked previously, so we decided to offer it in Russian as well. You can read the English version at:

How can Sintel Systems offer the best POS, but at relatively cheap prices?

For our Russian audience, please continue reading:

Короткий ответ: мы предлагаем ценность, не дешевые POS, но… читайте дальше, чтобы увидеть цельную картину.

Самый распространенный вопрос, который мы получаем от наших потенциальных клиентов “В чем разница между Синтел Системс POS и все узнаваемыми брендами, такими как Micros?” Это очень хороший вопрос. В конце концов, мы можем предложить POS-системы по ценам, дешевле чем у наших конкурентов. Умныеклиенты знают, что должна быть фундаментальная причина почему система дешевле. Чаще всего дешевые POS-системы более низкого качества или не имеют необходимый сервис и поддержку.

Синтел Системс не предлагает дешевые POS системы, а скорее, привносит большую ценность для наших клиентов. Как мы это делаем? Очень просто. Мы ориентируемся на наших клиентов.

Во-первых, у нас нет людей, чья единственная обязанность заключается в продажах. Наш коллектив состоит из исключительно технических экспертов,  которые на самом деле понимают POS и Ваш бизнес. Мы это видим так: “Вы продаете, вы и поддерживаете.” Весьма вероятно, что человек, продавший вам систему будет также вас и обучать. Это позволяет нашим сотрудникам нацеливаться на долгосрочные отношения с каждым клиентом. Момент покупки, это только начало долгосрочных отношений. Каждый клиент становится другом.

Таким образом, мы не предлагаем дешевые POS системы,  а скорее, превосходное соотношение цены и высокого уровеня обслуживания. Нашими клиентами являются долгосрочные отношения, а не просто подписание сделки. И именно поэтому Синтел Системы ваш надежный источник. Мы даже сделали сравнение между нами и теми POS системами, которые предлагают бесплатный сервис.

Для того, чтобы связаться с Синтел Системс на русском, пожалуйста звоните по телефону  8~10 + 1 +818-800-9064

Для того чтобы связаться с Синтел Системс, пожалуйста звоните по телефону 855-POS-SALES (8~10 + 1 + 855-767-7253)

Свяжитесь с нами +1 (855) POS-sales или (855) 767-7253 и испытайте все преимущества, когда вы приходите к Синтел Системс за Вашей POS системой.

** В данный момент, все POS модели используются на английском языке, но при необходимости могут быть также легко перенастроены на русский язык. POS системы на русском языке ожидаются в продаже в 2012 году.

We recently submitted the following article and we suggest reading it:

What is the best and cheapest online POS? Is SaaS (online POS) the best option for running my Chicago Pizza Shop or any other business?

Then we got a call from a customer who was interest in a POS system for his Pizzeria in Chicago and asked us, “Don’t online POS systems have any cons?”

As we all know, everything including different types of POS have pros and cons. So, lets discuss the four most commonly mentioned cons and see how it stands against the conventional Point of Sale Systems:

1. The first and apparent benefit of online POS seems to be access to the system which is correct. However, you can get the same access to your POS system with a POS system from Sintel Systems. The difference is that when you access your POS system, you are actually tapping into the unit instead of trying to access the data somewhere in the Cloud.
2. The second mentioned benefit is referred to as “improved cash flow.” What does that mean? It means that you don’t have to put a large amount of capital and will pay monthly. There are two problems with that :
   1-What about your hardware. You will still need hardware including cash drawer, printer, bar code scanner, credit/gift card reader, a touch screen, and maybe a scale. Most of the cost of a POS system is in the hardware. And if you do a “mickey mouse job of putting the hardware together, it will cost you much more over the long term.
   2 -The monthly “license fee” for the software is indefinite. So why not just finance your POS and know when your payments end and you own the system.
3. It is rummered that online systems are easy to use and don’t require installation. All POS systems from Sintel Systems are pre-configured. If you are able to take the system out of the box and plug it in, then you can use the POS system within minutes.
4. Online POS also proudly claims that it will offer any software upgrades for free. If your conventional POS system is connected to the Internet, you get that as well.

Have questions or comments, get in touch with Sintel Systems.

Contact Us
855-POS-SALES
www.SintelSystems.com

Sintel Systems is www.BestPointofSaleNewYork.com www.NewYorkRestaurantPointOfSale.com www.PointOfSaleNewYork.com www.PizzariaPointOfSale.com

If you don’t live in the City of Chicago and visit this friendly city, then you may think that Pizza was born here. The City is dotted with hundreds of great tasting Pizza Shop. No matter what style you try (my favorite is Chicago Style Pizza), the Pizza is AWESOME!!!! On a recent visit to Chicago Pizzeria, we came across the restaurant owner who was interested in obtaining a Pizza Point of Sale for his shop.  After discussing the major point and advantages of getting a Pizza POS from Sintel Systems to include fast transaction times, ease of use and great customer support, we were he asked me about getting an online POS. We are certain that other have the same question, so here it goes.

Let’s start with some definitions. When a service such as point of sale is provided on line it is referred to being on the Cloud or online POS.  This technology, also known as “Software as a Service” (SaaS) or “on-demand software” stores all your data and software on the Internet. We are certain that your are already starting to imagine the benefits and issues with placing your entire point of sale system on the Internet.

Now a little disclaimer before we continue. Sintel Systems provides point of sale systems which can be accesses via the Internet and are connected for multiple locations. With our extensive technology expertise, Sintel Systems is fully capable of deploying a POS on the Cloud; however, the practical and security challenges associated with placing your POS on the Cloud, we explain the issues to each customer and allowing you to make the final decision with all the information at hand. Here are the challenges faced with online POS:

1. The first and most practical issue is that while your software can be online, you POS hardware cannot be virtual. You still at least need a cash drawer, printer, bar code scanner, credit/gift card reader, a touch screen, and maybe a scale.  And then you need a reliable and good computer. So, you have to purchase these items anyways. What are you really saving on by putting together a “mickey mouse” POS together instead of just obtaining on all-in-one POS system which? This is very similar to just buying point of sale software a installing on a computer and calling it a POS system. Please read the following article and learn more on why you should not just install a POS software on a computer: Should I install point of sale software on my computer to make a POS systems? So, why pay a monthly online fee for SaaS if you can get an entire system and own the software.
2. The second issue is cost between an online POS and one that you own. Let’s assume that the cost of SaaS ranges from $50 to $100 per month, but you still have to purchase the hardware. Over a four year period, the cost of just SaaS will be between $2,200 and $4,800. If you go really cheap your hardware will cost at least $1,500 not to include the losses you will surely face with a cheap systems. If you decided to get the right hardware, you are looking at a minimum $2,500. So over a 48 month period, the supposed system will cost you somewhere between $3,700 and $7,300. And you still don’t own the software. Just compare with the average cost of a professional POS system from Sintel System which includes ownership of the software. As a example, the packaged Pizza Store Point of Sale starts at $2,500.
3. The third concern is security which comes in two categories. The first is that your entire database in online. So how about when your Pizza Store POS information is available to you remotely with a conventional POS system. In that instance, the information itself is sitting at your Pizzeria POS station and your are just remotely communicating with the database. You may also have a remote backup system which stores the information. In case of SaaS, the database itself is online and continuously sends/receives transaction information. The second is security and unless you are willing to spend a lot on security, your data will never be 100 percent secure.  This does not mean that you should fear intrusion, but you must understand that the possibility exists that your data can be hacked just as a function of the constant communication between your system at your Pizza Store POS and SaaS.
4. No Internet = No Access to Data
5. The speed of your transaction is based on the Internet connection. In almost all cases, having your POS on your all-in-one will allow the program to runs much faster than a software that needs Internet connection.
6. Lastly, what happens if your POS provider ceases to exist and goes out of business? You have little recourse and now have to go look for a POS system.

In today’s world it seems that everything is moving online. Well not really. If that was really true then retailers would have to pack up and go home. Some things are just not meant (at least for now) to be on online. You go to a Pizza Shop to get your Pizza. You may use the Internet to place your order online, but you don’t want a virtual Pizza.

For now, one more thing that makes little sense to be online is your point of sale POS. That is applicable to most businesses. With our extensive technology expertise, Sintel Systems is fully capable of deploying a POS on the Cloud.

You may have heard the famous Spanish saying, “Lo barato sale caro” it is translated to mean “Cheap things turn out to be expensive.” Weigh all the factors into the long term expense of a system.

If you are looking for a Pizza Shop POS or any other type of POS system get in touch with us. And if you have never been to Chicago, then make it part of you plan to come to Chicago soon.

Contact Us
855-POS-SALES
www.SintelSystems.com

Sintel Systems is www.PointofSaleChicago.com www.ChicagoRestaurantPointOfSale.com www.PointOfSaleIllinois.com www.BestPointOfsaleChicago.com

Calibrating your POS scale whether it measures in ounces, grams, lbs, or kg is not only important, but its the law in most places. If you’ve read our article on gram scales (Who can provide a POS systems with gram scale for my frozen yogurt shop?) then you know that there are two ways to calibrate your scale

1. Purchase a POS Scale Calibration Weight Tool and do it yourself – $129 One Time Cost.
2. Request a Local Service Provider to Calibrate your Scale – $135-$150/visit.

If you have an integrated scale from Sintel Systems accompanied with a POS Scale Calibration Weight Tool, its very simple and we suggest you do it regularly; 2 twice a year is great. An imprecise scale can charge more do to errors, but it can also charge less without you knowing. More importantly it can cost you your reputation, a fine from the oversight agency, and closer scrutiny.  It doesn’t matter if you are measuring frozen yogurt or candy in ounces, baked goods in lbs (pounds), or spices in grams. You MUST maintain your pos scale by calibration. So how do you calibrate your scale?

Calibration Instructions: Frozen Yogurt Store countertop POS Scale: Avery Berkel 6700 Series POS Scale

Follow these steps to calibrate the scale.

1. From the DIAG display, press the ZERO key until CAL is displayed, or from the normal weighing mode, move Switch 1 to the Menu mode or OPEN position. Press the ZERO key until CAL is displayed.
2. Press the TEST key…
   50 H or 60 H will be displayed. This is the AC line frequency. Don’t modify this setting unless you are required to change.
3. Press the TEST key…
   The scale unit will display:  OUNCE for 6712 Ounce Scale & LB for 6710 Pound Scale is displayed.
   Press the TEST key…
4. The scale capacity is displayed.  160 for 6712 Ounce Scale & 10, 15, 30 for 6710 Pound Scale is displayed. Press the ZERO key to toggle between the choices if required to change.
5. Press the TEST key. . .
   After a brief wait LOAD 0 is displayed.
6. Clear all weight from the scale platter and make sure nothing is touching it. No cables, nothing. The scale also must be level. Use the bubble level under the place to level the scale before starting calibration.
7. Press the TEST key…
   After a brief wait LOAD xx is displayed. The displayed load should match the calibration weight load.
8. Place the appropriate calibration weights on the scale and press the TEST key. After a brief wait, DONE is displayed.
9. Remove all calibration weights from scale.
10. Press the TEST key…
11. The scale will now display DIAG. Power down the scale. After a brief moment power up the scale. The scale will now conduct a self test including a count down. Once complete the red light indicator next to ZERO will be on and the scale display will read 0.00.  The scale is now tested, configured, and calibrated. It is ready for use in your application.
12. If you do not see the red light indicator or you see an “E” error message, you must retry calibration.  Generally it works on the first try unless you have a stability problem or there were objects such as cables touching the scale.

Click Here to see Full Instructions for Calibrating the Avery Berkel POS Scale.

The scale is now tested, configured, and calibrated. It is ready for use in your application.

Once you do it a few times, you won’t need the instructions to repeat it. Its a good idea to have your most responsible employee learn the scale calibration and perform it often.

Hint: Get a POS Scale Bracket to further stabilize your scale.

Contact Us
855-POS-SALES
www.SintelSystems.com

Candy Shop POS – Chocolate Store Point of Sale

On a recent visit to Chicago, I came across a candy store owner who did not have POS system. Curiously, I asked him if he had ever looked into a POS system for his candy store. He said that he had actually searched but had not been able to find a suitable system. I asked him if he was familiar with the Candy Store POS from Sintel Systems. I figured that if he has searched on Google, he would have come across us. Well, he had not and I guess that was a good thing. Because if he had actually found our Candy & Chocolate Store POS and not found it applicable, then we would have done something wrong.

His complaint was that most systems were either too complicated, too expensive, lack the needed service, and a bunch of other issues. He just wanted to a POS system without having to become a computer expert. Furthermore, he said that his typical employee was a teenager with high turnover rate. He did not want to be faced with spending great amounts of time training each time he hired a new employee.

I explained to him that a complete  Candy Store POS from Sintel Systems offered great benefits including:

• Employee Time Sheet Management
• Integrated Credit/Gift Card Processing
• Speedy Transaction Processing
• Integrated Scale for Candy Sales
• Great Customer Support

Here is the best part. I told him about the price and he was fully surprised by that. He could not believe the price and assumed that we were cutting short somewhere to deliver this product to him at that price. From his searches he had come across significantly higher prices and assumed our lower price must be a function of cutting on quality or price. I basically explained what we have on the following blog:

• How can Sintel Systems offer the best POS, but at relatively cheap prices?

So, if you are looking for a POS system for your Candy or Chocolate Store, contact us. Does your store also serve coffee and bake goods? Don’t worry, we got that covered, too.

If you are thinking of just installing a POS software on your computer of going with SaaS (on line POS), please read this and be forewarned:

• Should I install point of sale software on my computer to make a POS systems?

Questions or comments:

Contact Us
855-POS-SALES
www.SintelSystems.com

Sintel Systems is www.ChocolateStorePOS.com www.ChocolateStorePointOfsale www.CandyStorePOS.com www.CandyStorePointOfSale.com

With our global reach, we receive almost every kind of request and a POS system with a gram scale is one of them.

Many of our customers in the United States utilize our frozen yogurt point of sale systems with ounce scales as compared to gram scales. What does that mean for those who are thinking about opening a frozen yogurt shop? In most self-serve frozen yogurt shops, the customer chooses a cup size and proceeds to fill up the cup with the desired amount of this great delight. As many of us know, most ice cream and gelato shops (gelaterias) utilize the per scoop or cup-size method.  In frozen yogurt, the employees place the filled cup on a scale to weigh (ounces or grams) its contents and then give the customer the spoon.  Some reading this post are asking, what about the weight of the cup? Is the customer paying for the cup by weight? The short answer is no, the customer does not pay for the cup by weight. The weight of the cup is deducted from the overall weight. This is referred to as tarring and the right POS system will have this integrated into it. The employee simply inputs the cup size (in stores with more than one size cup) and the system deducts the weight. In California or New York, the cups have to be tared as a matter of law. Read more on requirement to Tare your POS here:

Do I Need To Tare My Frozen Yogurt Point of Sale Software and Scale?

The proper POS system needs to have an all-in-one touch screen systems, integrated payment processing which also include no-fee gift card processing, a receipt printer, and integrated scale. Two important matters specifically applicable to frozen yogurt POS com up:

1. Not only does the credit/gift card processor needs to be integrated, but also quick (under 5 seconds) and
2. The scale needs to also be integrated and working in sync with the POS system.

Why? Because the product your customers are holding is melting quick. The customer has his cup filled and waiting to pay for it so he can get the spoon and start eating. In this case every second counts.

The obvious difference between the ounce and gram scale is that each measures in their respective units. POS systems from Sintel Systems comes with ounces, grams, and even lbs (pounds). The lb scale is used for bakery, market, candy store, and other uses where greater amounts of product are measures.  The ounce and gram scale is used for frozen yogurt shops and pharmacies needing to weighing smaller and more precise measurements.

The other matter you must take into consideration if the needed scale calibration. Most jurisdictions require that owners ensure that their scales are measuring precisely. Those who have such stores have probably dealt with this local department or have had a surprise visit from them. You have two options for calibrating you gram, ounce, lbs or any scale. You can either call over a technician each time or get a Calibration weight and do it yourself.

If you are looking for a POS system with any kind of weight requirements, contact Sintel Systems and we can answer any questions.

Questions or comments:

Contact Us
855-POS-SALES
www.SintelSystems.com

Sintel Systems is www.FrozenYogurtPOS.com www.FrozenYogurtPointOfSale.com

An important part of business is one’s perspective on each aspect. Point of sale is no different and should be looked at just like the investment you make in your building or training employees.

What is an expense? It is an expenditure or expansion of resources which can be delayed with various form of business effects and some expenses have suitable alternatives.

As an example, having the windows of your store by a professional cleaning company is a type of expense. Lets assume that the windows are cleaned every week by a professional firm. First, you decide that you need to have your windows cleaned and you also realize that the way the professional company cleans is exceptional; however, you need to cut your expenses. You also realize that some of your employees have some down time during the day that you are paying for. So as an alternative, you decide to have the professional window cleaners come every two weeks. In the interim you have your workers lightly clean the windows during their down time.  You take that extra money you are saving and put into advertising. A few months down the line, business is up and your workers don’t have any more down time. You call back the professional cleaners to their weekly duty.

An investment is a necessary part of your business which contributes to increase in revenue or decrease in expenses. A delivery truck is an investment. In high density populated areas, pizza delivery bicycle is an investment. The owner of the pizzeria could simply ask this  employees to either walk or take the car, but both would take longer and cost the owner more. Training your employee is also an investment. How useful is the delivery bicycle if the employee can’t ride it properly.

A point of sale system and CCTV is definitely an investment.  Strictly from an accounting perspective it is. Just ask your accountant how they expense the POS after you purchase it. They look at is as an asset. So why is a POS & CCTV an investment from a practical point of view? Because it starts paying back immediately:

1. Decreases losses & expenses (how much will you save on your insurance with CCTV?)
2. Saves times (how much time to spend each day on accounting without POS?)
3. Increases efficiency and margin (how much faster can your employees process order with POS while you monitor the store on CCTV?)

We suggest reading the 16 point mentioned in the following blog to get a much better picture: When should I purchase POS and CCTV system? Before opening?

Questions or comments:

Contact Us
855-POS-SALES
www.SintelSystems.com

“Sometimes one pays most for the things one gets for nothing.” – Albert Einstein

A very understandable question since may new business owners see a POS system as computer with a special sort of software. To draw a comparison between installing a POS software on a computer rather than purchasing a POS system, lets look at the following questions:

• Do you cut the top of your sedan to make a delivery truck or do you obtain a delivery truck?
• Do you put up a tent or do you rent a place to start a business?
• Do you buy dummies with loud speakers or hire actual employee to help you run your business?

A legitimate reason people try to go down this route is because they are trying to save money or don’t have sufficient capital to purchase a system.

• If you are simply trying to save money, then please read: Is point of sale system an expense or investment?
  
• If you think you don’t have the fiances, then please read: I need multiple POS systems with limited finances. What are my options? Should I look into used or cheap POS system?

The short answer is look at your point of sale as investment rather than a secondary expense and:

• Do not just install a POS software on your computer.
• Do not buy a used system.
• Do not buy a cheap quality system.
• Do not buy an online (Cloud) POS. (Coming soon: Is online POS systems right for me? What is the cost?)

The Spanish also have a great saying, “Lo barato sale caro” it is translated to mean “Cheap things turn out to be expensive.”

Contact Us
855-POS-SALES
www.SintelSystems.com

Answer: All 50 States!! Can you find your State?

No matter where you are at, Sintel Systems can help.

Contact US
Call us 855-POS-SALES or 855-CCTV-SALES
www.SintelSystems.com