Johannesburg, 04 Nov 2005
A locally developed point of sale software solution has been instrumental in creating a platform for consolidation and expansion at cane, solid wood furniture and d'ecor accessories importer and retailer, Cane Warehouse.
Managing director Neville Watt said Cane Warehouse and its sister solid wood furniture outlet, Java Plantation Store, until recently ran their eight stores located in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Nelspruit on a manual accounting system. Now Accpac is used as a back office accounting system at the Johannesburg distribution centre with isoPOS point of sale software at each branch integrated back into the accounting package.
"All of our furniture and accessories are imported and as we are dealing with multi-currencies, deposits, balance of payments, cost of stock, freight and clearing, the process can become complicated," said Watt.
An immediate benefit of the isoPOS software was gained in terms of stock control. The furniture originates from high temperature, high humidity climates and is therefore unavoidably subjected to stress in the much drier and lower temperature conditions prevailing on the Highveld.
"The isoPOS stock administration system gives us electronic control of stock location," said Watt. "We can now accurately monitor damaged and obsolete stock, which is critical to the business."
He added that the software also closely monitors "royal lines" (the very popular bread and butter stock items) and how these lines move within the group of stores.
"We are able to see very quickly what stock is moving where and how quickly it is selling, as well as review margins, discounting, sales fluctuations and weekend specials which integrate with promotions."
Tracking of sales and margins by individuals, commissions, rewards and incentive programmes provides other information that Watt said is crucial to making the right business decisions.
"The most significant added value in converting our operation from manual accounting to an electronic system lay in the fact that isoPOS trained our staff to manage and run the POS software program. We have been empowered to handle the applications ourselves and to solve any problems that may occur.
"Our decision to undergo training with isoPOS released significant value for us. It accelerated system implementation so that the benefits of greater efficiency came through sooner and it significantly reduced our reliance on implementers and consultants, which can be a drain on any operation."
Karl Wagner, isoPOS managing director, said the inherent flexibility of the software allows it to be quickly modified to cater for the end-user`s preferences in methodologies. "We were able to write specific solutions to suit the needs of the business and the individuals involved, as well as train them to administer the isoPOS and Accpac systems. They are now able to fix common operational problems, thereby improving efficiency and reducing costs through minimal downtime."
Watt concluded that the decision to implement isoPOS and Accpac had created a platform from which Cane Warehouse can now consolidate and expand its operations.
"We are now getting the information we need to make quick, well-informed business decisions. The risk factor has been lowered and even our less experienced staff now have the ability and confidence to take decisions and run with them. It`s been a boost for the business."
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