Category: Uncategorized

May
31
2011
May 31st, 2011 by ssadmin

There are a lot of POS systems out there.   Making a decision on which one to buy can be very tough.  Especially when it seems, at first glance,  that most POS systems have a lot of the same features.  

That’s why it’s important to dig deep.  Make sure that you evaluate how well the features works and not just that the sales guy says it’s there.  


With that being said . . . Here are some very cool things about the Gift Card system in SelbySoft:


1)  IT’S FREE. . . Of course that is number one on the list.  Paying a monthly fee and a swipe charge just isn’t cost effective for stores that that deal in small ticket items.  If you have to pay $10-$40 a month and $.10 to $.25 a swipe then the gift card system because a liability.  On top of that most gift cards will run somewhere between $.50 and a $1.20 a card.   With our gift card system, you have no fees and the cards are cost effective – think lower end of that scale.  


2) IT’S INDEPENDENT OF THE CREDIT CARD COMPANY. . .Think about that for a minute and you will start seeing why that can be a good idea.   Besides the costs mentioned above, a gift card that is operated through a credit card company will virtually guarantee that swapping from one credit card company to another is as difficult as possible.    


3) IT’S MULTI-TASKING. . . Gift card, prepaid card, customer profile card, discount card and rewards (punch) card all in one.    


4) IT’S PROMOTABLE. . . With our integrated discount system, it’s incredibly easy to sell a $25 card for $20 and track it.   Better yet, you can track how well those promotions are working and duplicate success.


5) IT’S VERSATILE. . . This is where the differences really start to come out. No putting the ticket on hold, no consolidating later on. 

  • Need to buy a drink and a gift card at the same time?  All in one transaction, on one ticket with one cash out.  
  • Need to split a gift card into other cards? Easy.  
  • Need to buy a drink and recharge your card at the same time?  Just as simple.  

6) IT’S MULTI-STORE CAPABLE. . . Have two or more locations?  We can handle it.  SelbySoft has a fully featured Corporate Reporting package that will handle the gift cards between multiple locations.  If you are franchising or licensing and need corporate gift card pooling, let us know – we even have options to cover that! 


7) DID I MENTION IT’S FREE?. . . Yep – free. 




Contact us at:
SelbySoft
Mike Spence
800-454-4434
Sales@SelbySoft.com
WWW.SelbySoft.com
8326 Woodland Ave. E
Puyallup Wa 98371

Posted in Gift Cards, Uncategorized Tagged with: ,

May
27
2011
May 27th, 2011 by ssadmin
Have a great and safe Memorial Day weekend!  

 SelbySoft is open on Memorial Day 
 9am to 3pm PST for sales and support
 3pm to 10pm PST for emergency support



Contact us at:
SelbySoft
Mike Spence
800-454-4434
Sales@SelbySoft.com
WWW.SelbySoft.com
8326 Woodland Ave. E
Puyallup Wa 98371

Posted in Uncategorized Tagged with:

May
26
2011
May 26th, 2011 by ssadmin

We all agree that reporting is important right?   One of the questions that we from people who are looking to purchase our SP-1 system is what are the different methods of reporting available.

Sometimes how you get reports can be as important as what you get on the reports!  

1)  Printed –  The most obvious way is to print reports to a laser printer so you can review them at any time.  There are a number of reports that can be printed to the thermal receipt printer as well.   This is great for shift closes etc. 

2) Reporting to screen – Just looking for a quick number or to review data SP-1 can provide?  Run the report to the screen!  It’s a quick way to review without printing. 

3) Reporting to disk – Want to print to a file?  We handle that as well.  It’s a great way to save reports and view later on.  They can be viewed in any word processor.  This is also a great way to email reporting to another partner. 




4) Dashboard – Want to review what is going on in the store?  Hit the Dashboard button!  Remember, this will give you a quick snapshot of your most important totals.

5) Export files – Want more powerful reporting?  Use the XML exports we have developed! These allow you to pull information into tools like Excel to really get in depth with the reporting. 

5) MobileDash  – Need information on the go?  MobileDash is the way to go.  This will provide hourly reporting direct to any phone that receives email.   MobileDash is affordable as well, only $10 a month or free with our Corporate Software Options. 

6) Corporate Reporting Options – Want information from anywhere?  Our corporate reporting options automatically transmit all of your sales information to a central location automatically every day. This is a great way to manage multiple locations.  Check with us for the cost. 



Contact us at:
SelbySoft
Mike Spence
800-454-4434
Sales@SelbySoft.com
WWW.SelbySoft.com
8326 Woodland Ave. E
Puyallup Wa 98371

Posted in Reporting, Uncategorized Tagged with:

May
24
2011
May 24th, 2011 by ssadmin

Using social media for your business?   What about location based specials?


Both Facebook and Foursquare now allow, for free, a location based deal or special that your customers can see.  This allows your store to effectively market to your customers through their phones.  Did I mention it’s free?  


The concept is this:
A customer “checks in” with either Facebook Places or Foursquare on their mobile phone while in or near your store location.  They are then presented with a deal or special that you are offering.  



SelbySoft’s Facebook Deal

One of the most fascinating thoughts on this system is that because it is location based on the phone, your special will show up even if the person is not in your store.  This effectively works as simple advertising for your store as well as a special.


Specials can be setup as show this and get a drink or discount, based on number of check ins, number of people at the location etc.  


More information about Facebook deals at:  http://www.facebook.com/help/?faq=18365


More information on Foursquare specials at: https://foursquare.com/business/


So, what does this have to do with SelbySoft and our SP-1 POS?  We come in after the fact .  . . once that deal or special is being redeemed, make sure you track it in SP-1.  That way you know if it is working! 




Contact us at:
SelbySoft
Mike Spence
800-454-4434
Sales@SelbySoft.com
WWW.SelbySoft.com
8326 Woodland Ave. E
Puyallup Wa 98371

Posted in Uncategorized Tagged with: , ,

May
10
2011
May 10th, 2011 by ssadmin

Gift cards are a big part of the Coffee and Restaurant industry.  The marketing and promotional ideas are virtually endless


So, I thought it would be fun to share 7 or so different, and sometimes unusual, gift card promotions with you:


1)  Buy a card, get a drink (or appetizer etc).   This is a fun promotion that helps provide instantaneous gratification.  The idea is that when a customer buys a gift card of sufficient value, they get something free.  Usually 10% is the standard discount to consider.  So, buy a $35 gift card and get a free coffee!  Buy a $50 gift card and get a free order of bread sticks.  It can be a great way to introduce a new product at the same time you increase gift card sales. 


2)  On a similar track. . . Buy a card and get a $5 card (or $5 off the gift card).  This is a pretty popular promotion and works very well if you find customers are buying primarily as a gift card.  Think about it. . . It puts a gift card in two peoples hands! 


3)  Accept a competitors card as a trade in.  This works specifically with Starbucks.  The thought is that you will take certain types of Starbucks gift cards and issue one of your own with equal value.  It sounds a little crazy but what can make it work is that there are multiple sites that will pay you a percent of the total value for that Starbucks card.   Plastic Jungle is a site that allows you to do this with cards that are over $25.   When I checked, they were offering $41 for a $50 Starbucks card.  EDIT:  I was informed by a reader that Plastic Jungle has shut down.    Luke Knowles suggested the following (Thanks Luke!). 

Gift Card Granny – shows a comparison of what other sites will give you for a gift card.

Gift Card Zen – a gift exchange site.


4)  Sell big!  Everyone should have at least one huge value gift card offer.  $200 gets you $220 or some variation.   Jack Groot of the Midwest Barista School tells a wonderful story on LinkedIn about selling $1,200 gift cards for $1,000 each to finance a piece of equipment.  

5) Use gift cards instead of employee discounts.  Instead of a 50% discount, pre-load a gift card for each employee every pay period.  The employee can then use this for any purchase in the store.   Let them buy their girl/boy friend a drink, purchase a muffin for their Mom etc.  Instead of tempting them with using their discount.


6)  Hand them out!  Pre-load a number of gift cards with a small amount and pass them around. Use them as business cards and start promoting your brand.   


7)  Promote through non-profits and community events.  Selling a gift card at a discounted price to schools and church’s allows you to promote your store, help the community and have your customers introduce new people to your product and brand.  


Have an 8th?  Comment and let us know! 




Contact us at:
SelbySoft
Mike Spence
800-454-4434
Sales@SelbySoft.com
WWW.SelbySoft.com
8326 Woodland Ave. E
Puyallup Wa 98371

Posted in Gift Cards, Marketing, Uncategorized Tagged with: ,

May
03
2011
May 3rd, 2011 by ssadmin
How many of you are using Twitter and Facebook to communicate with your customers? 

Hopefully, all of you!  Why?  Because it’s effective and free.  The only cost is in your time and while that is incredibly valuable, this is one area it’s worth spending it. 

Aside from a great way to communicate with customers and promote your business, these social media tools have a way to help increase your speed of service through SP-1 with our new WebOrder Interface.   


With this, you can have a simplified Twitter and Facebook order system that allows your customers to place an order on Twitter & Facebook!  

This order is then directly transmitted to SP-1 for your staff to finish.  It’s a great way to increase your speed of service with your customers!






Don’t hesitate to call us for more information. 










Contact us at:
SelbySoft
Mike Spence
800-454-4434
Sales@SelbySoft.com
WWW.SelbySoft.com
8326 Woodland Ave. E
Puyallup Wa 98371

Posted in Order Entry, Uncategorized Tagged with: , ,

Apr
26
2011
April 26th, 2011 by ssadmin
SCAA in Houston TX





This week we will be at the Specialty Coffee Association of America show in Houston, Tx.


We will be gone from 4/27 to 5/2 and if you happen to be in town, come visit us!


Contact us at:
SelbySoft
Mike Spence
800-454-4434
Sales@SelbySoft.com
WWW.SelbySoft.com
8326 Woodland Ave. E
Puyallup Wa 98371

Posted in Shows, Uncategorized Tagged with: ,

Apr
14
2011
April 14th, 2011 by ssadmin



Have you heard about our new “sticky” thermal receipt printer?  This is a great option for passing along a food or drink ticket to the appropriate person.  


The printer uses a special roll of thermal paper that has a “post-it note” gum on the back of the paper.  This provides a liner-less thermal ticket that leaves little to no residue! 


We have already seen uses for sticking this to a cup when passed to a Barista and on sandwich and pizza boxes! 


Call us for more information. 






Contact us at:
SelbySoft
Mike Spence
800-454-4434
Sales@SelbySoft.com
WWW.SelbySoft.com
8326 Woodland Ave. E
Puyallup Wa 98371

Posted in Hardware, POS Features, Uncategorized Tagged with:

Apr
07
2011
April 7th, 2011 by ssadmin
Time Keeping

In this blog, I’ll continue to take a look at some of the reporting features in SP-1.   This time, we will look at some of the Time Keeping reports that are built in. 


There are four key reports for the employee time keeping.  

Time Period for Employee:  This report will provide you with the hours worked and wage earned for one employee.  Typically this would be run when an employee is released or special payroll circumstances.   This report shows you the details of each clock-in and clock out period, the wage, hours worked and any overtime. 


Time Period For All Employees:  This is very similar to the above but it runs for all the employees you have clock in / out periods for.  Additionally, this report will allow you to run a summary version that shows you just the total hours and wage for a quick reference.  This is the report that you will typically run for your payroll period. 


Employee Listing:  This report will show you a simple list of all employees and their contact information. 


Job Classifications:   If you pay employees different wages based on the job that they clock in with.  This gives you a great way to see where your payroll dollars are going.


As usual, there are a number of different ways to show this data.  Also, there are some specific switches that determine how these reports (and others) function.  Don’t hesitate to contact us for more details! 








Contact us at:
SelbySoft
Mike Spence
800-454-4434
Sales@SelbySoft.com
WWW.SelbySoft.com
8326 Woodland Ave. E
Puyallup Wa 98371

Posted in Employees, Reporting, Uncategorized Tagged with: , ,

Apr
02
2011
April 2nd, 2011 by ssadmin
Northwest Foodservice Show



This weekend we will be at the NWFS show in Portland Or!   


We will be gone from 4/3 to 4/4.  If you happen to be in Portland, look us up! 


Contact us at:
SelbySoft
Mike Spence
800-454-4434
Sales@SelbySoft.com
WWW.SelbySoft.com
8326 Woodland Ave. E
Puyallup Wa 98371

Posted in Shows, Uncategorized Tagged with: ,

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