Toronto, Ontario, December 7, 2017 – Magstar Inc., an ERP software leader in the midsized retail marketplace, has been recognized as a top-20 software vendor in the 2017 RIS News Software LeaderBoard Survey – 17th year in a row.
Magstar appeared in the survey’s 23 categories, ranking #1 in five of them – Overall Performance, Ease of Installation & Integration, Ease of Administration & Maintenance, Quality of Support and Quality of Service.
“Building solid relationships with your customers is the best way to succeed in this business,” said Steven Greenwood, President of Magstar Inc. “If you don’t, all you’re doing is selling a product that doesn’t get used to its full potential. By helping each customer on a case-by-case basis, we set them up to get the most out of our software, which gives them more reasons to keep using it.”
The annual RIS Software LeaderBoard survey exists to help retailer executives determine which technology vendors are worth their investment. Thanks to the variety of categories, the top 20-list doesn’t just identify which vendors are the best – it pinpoints their greatest strengths, whether it’s the quality of service or overall performance.
“The reason Magstar has been ranked as one of the top 20 vendors in the RIS LeaderBoard for 2017, as it has for many years, is that it meets high customer expectations in performance, quality and delivery,” said Joe Skorupa, RIS’ Editorial Director of RIS News. “Magstar has lived up to its promises with customers again this year and congratulations are due to a team that knows how to deliver high customer satisfaction.”
Magstar’s key distinction is personalized support and service, which means that it doesn’t rely on call desks or offshore call centers. Every customer has their own dedicated account manager, available 24/7. That’s how Magstar keeps its customers happy – and the rankings prove that this approach works.
About Magstar
For over 30 years, Magstar has been helping midsized retailers integrate operations and synchronize workflow with multichannel ERP and POS solutions made explicitly for specialized retailers. With an end-to-end solution that addresses unique industry needs, retail chains can automate processes, gain inventory visibility and outshine competitors.
Buying an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system for a mid-sized retail chain is not exactly easy. Let’s face it – there are a lot of choices out there! So, it helps to narrow them down a little.
As you do your research, you’ll quickly realize that there are three kinds of ERP systems – out-of-the-box, custom and a hybrid that combines the best of both.
With an out-of-the-box ERP system, you generally pay for a pre-built software package – whether its features match your business needs or not. With a customized supply chain management package, you pay more for features that are designed to meet your specific requirements. And with the mix of both, you get a system that works right “out of the box,” while giving you the ability to add or modify certain features to suit your business needs.
So, the question is, which of the three options is better? We’re here to help you decide.
Out-of-the-box ERP software is a system that comes with all the tools, templates and other features built into it from the get-go.
The problem is that these kinds of systems are designed to accommodate as many businesses as possible. As a result, they tend to be 100% generic, meaning that you can’t modify anything in them aside from increasing the number of users. This also means that many of the features in these systems are not tuned to the needs of individual businesses.
It’s an easy system to learn, but it’s unlikely to do everything your particular business requires. It may also have many features your business won’t ever need at all. In other words, a generic system is not designed with you in mind.
So, here’s what you should consider when looking at generic out-of-the-box ERP systems:
Overall, out-of-the-box ERP systems are a great fit for small businesses that don’t have too many complex processes or can’t necessarily afford a custom system. If you’re still small, then this is likely your best bet.
With a custom ERP system, you get to decide what individual components should be included. The process of assembling custom ERP software is basically like building your own car or deciding what toppings should go on your pizza.
In most cases, a decent customizable system, such as Oracle or SAP, would still have a pre-built base feature package that comprises roughly 20% of it. That leaves 80% of the system in your hands – to be customized however you wish. Many good custom ERP software vendors should be able to examine your business needs and put together a custom package for you, so you shouldn’t feel too intimidated by the process.
With that in mind, here’s what you should consider when looking at custom ERP systems:
Overall, custom-built ERP systems are best suited for large-to-enterprise-level retailers, such as Walmart or Target, since they can afford the cost, and their chains are so big and complex that no generic system can meet their precise needs.
At this point, you might be thinking that there is no option that will suit your retail chain perfectly because you’re neither small nor large. The good news is that you can get an ERP system that employs the best of both worlds.
Typically, these hybrid ERP systems are 80% off-the-shelf and 20% customizable. So, right out of the gate, you get something that covers most of your needs, while offering plenty of customization options to cover the rest of them. That way, you don’t spend all your time and money on putting together a whole system – only on the key aspects that are specific to your business.
So, here’s what you should consider when looking at hybrid ERP systems:
It’s the customizable aspect that takes longer since it depends heavily on the complexity and size of your retail chain. In most cases, the vendor would analyze your current system to pinpoint any gaps and ensure that the new system addresses them, which does take time. The pay-off, of course, is that you get all the features you need.
Hybrid ERP systems are ideally suited for small-to-medium specialty retailers that make more than $10 million in revenue. If that’s you, then you might want to give our hybrid ERP system a look since we’ve been working with specialty retailers for over 30 years.
If you’re a business of a formidable size, you may think that you can afford to build your own system. That way, you’ll make sure that every feature matches your every need and process, and that’s great – in theory. However, building an ERP system is a tremendous undertaking, both in terms of time and money, which makes it an incredibly risky proposition.
If you’re seriously considering this option, be sure to watch out for the following:
With so many ERP software vendors out there, it’s much easier to just find one that can meet your exact needs. The market is insanely competitive, so it’s likely that the vendor you find will do their utmost best to keep you as their customer.
In the end, your decision will largely depend on your business needs and resources. If you’re a smaller retailer, then it would make more sense to go for an off-the-shelf ERP system. If you’re somewhere in the middle, with plenty of room for growth, then an off-the-shelf + custom ERP system might suit you better. If you’re a large enterprise with more than 250 locations, then a fully customized ERP solution is the ideal fit for you.
That being said, all retailers are different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution! So, evaluate your business carefully before you come to a decision.
If you’re still stuck, we have a checklist that you can use to help you with your ERP selection process. Click here to download it!
Toronto, Ontario, October 10, 2017 – Magstar Inc., an ERP software leader in the retail marketplace, is proud to announce that as of July 10th, Cap N’ Cork, a prominent liquor vendor in Indiana, has fully implemented Magstar’s Total Retail system to manage its 15-store chain.
Described as a “one-stop shop for classic and unique selections of beer, wine, spirits and cigars,” Cap N’ Cork started out in 1911 as a grocery store in Fort Wayne, Indiana, called A.V. Legamoff Brothers, founded by two Macedonian immigrants – Argire and Tom Lebamoff.
By 1964, it turned into a chain, at which point Argire’s son, George, renamed it to “Cap N’ Cork,” citing that all they sell are “bottles and cans and caps and corks.”
Cap N’ Cork officially signed up for Magstar’s system in February of 2017, and has since been working closely with Magstar’s team to ensure a smooth and successful implementation in early July.
“We’re glad to have Cap N’ Cork on board, and I’m looking forward to seeing them grow with us,” said Steven Greenwood, the President of Magstar. “Our relationship with Cap N’ Cork is like a partnership, which is why we don’t just want to implement Total Retail and leave it at that, but make sure that it delivers quantifiable business results.”
Developed for mid-sized specialty retailers who are struggling to run their stores with generic best-of-breed technology, Total Retail is an award-winning all-in-one solution that helps vendors oversee their daily operations and provide a consistent customer experience across all channels.
“We picked Magstar Total Retail because it delivers all the features we need to manage our chain, while being incredibly easy to use,” said Joe Doust, George’s son-in-law and Vice President at Cap N’ Cork. “We also like the fact that Magstar is constantly updating the software to meet the changing needs of the retail environment, which is perfect for us because we’re still expanding.”
Magstar will continue to collaborate with Cap N’ Cork on making its transition to Total Retail a resounding success. Customers interested in learning more about the system can do so by visiting Magstar’s website at www.magstarinc.com.
For 30 years, Magstar has been helping retailers integrate operations and synchronize workflow with omnichannel ERP and POS solutions made explicitly for specialized retailers. With an end-to-end solution that addresses your unique retail needs, you can automate processes, gain inventory visibility and outshine competitors.
Is 2017 the year when brick-and-mortar stores get completely overshadowed by their online counterparts? It’s certainly a concern for some.
After all, major American retailers like Macy’s, Kohl’s, Walmart and Sears together closed hundreds of locations due to poor profits in 2016. In the meantime, online sales have continued to soar, with Forrester and eMarketer predicting that total online spending in the U.S. would reach US$385-$440.4 billion by the end of 2017.
Despite all that, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, brick-and-mortar sales accounted for over 92% percent of total U.S. sales in the first quarter of 2016. This means that physical stores are still incredibly popular – as long as you take advantage of the latest technologies to deliver a shopping experience that extends beyond your retail locations.
Watch out for the following disruptive trends, and your retail chain will outperform everyone else in 2017 – we promise!
To lure customers away from their computer screens back to your store, you need to offer them the same level of convenience that they can find online. That means catering to their product needs in a more personal way, avoiding “out of stock” situations and providing more flexible fulfillment options.
Data will play a key role in driving a more in-depth understanding of customers, including what they like, what they’ve bought, what products they’ve looked at and so on. This in turn will help retailers meet their shopping needs more effectively. Data will also help warehouse logistics teams to be more aligned with real-time, in-store demands – to make sure the customer always gets the product they want.
Retailers that embrace this level of interconnectedness will thrive in 2017.
The Internet of things (IoT) is defined as a system of interconnected devices that are embedded within various ordinary objects, such as smartphones, thermostats, washing machines, vehicles and so on, to collect and exchange data over the Internet. Retailers typically use the IoT to learn more about their customers and keep track of their stock levels.
For instance, German retailer Metro Group has invested US$209 million in electronic shelf labels, which allow it to regulate prices in real time – without assigning store employees to replace each label by hand. This keeps all prices up-to-date, along with any discounts or promotions.
With online shopping continuing to grow at a rapid rate, keeping an eye on your shipping services, stock levels and warehouse logistics will be as important as ever.
According to ShipMatrix, the number of UPS ground packages delivered on time during the holidays in the U.S. decreased from 97% in 2014 to 91% in 2015. So, by offering more flexible shipping and delivery options, you can easily gain the upper hand over your competition – both online and offline.
When it comes to giving customers additional fulfillment options, physical retailers have one key advantage that their online counterparts don’t – brick-and-mortar stores. For instance, customers can buy your product online and then pick it up at the nearest store. This fulfillment method made up 30% of Sam’s Club’s ecommerce sales in 2015, so don’t dismiss it!
Other fulfillment options include:
In 2017, stores that deliver any or all of the above will have more opportunities to sell their products without making a big investment in alternative shipping methods.
Businesses that embrace innovation and step away from routine operations and processes are more likely to succeed in today’s fast-changing world of information. That’s what agile methodologies are all about.
They advocate customer collaboration, adaptability to change, regular feedback and similar practices, which is why in the last 30 years, they’ve been particularly helpful in software development. With technology becoming more intertwined with the way businesses operate, agile methodologies are now spreading into other industries, and we believe that in 2017, we’ll see more retailers implement them.
Your best bet is to start small, by implementing agile methods in your IT department first – where software developers are likely already familiar with them – and go from there.
As the number of mobile users continues to grow, so will the potential to sell more products. According to IBM, smartphone traffic makes up 53% of all online traffic, while tablets and desktops make up the rest. However, when it comes to online sales, mobile only accounts for 29%. So, there is room for growth.
The best way to fill this gap is by implementing mobile payments. In 2017, retailers that haven’t adopted mobile payments to will do so – and if you’re one of them, then we recommend you do the same.
Savvy retailers will continue to invest in a single, centralized platform to communicate with their customers across various channel and devices in a unified manner, merging the gap between online and offline.
Known as unified commerce, this method of communication creates a seamless customer experience that makes shopping more effortless than ever. With unified commerce, a customer can come across your product on your social media page, look it up on your website, check it out at your physical location and/or purchase it through their mobile device.
Retailers that don’t have a system like that in place should start investing into one immediately – because those that don’t are bound to go out of business soon.
More retailers will realize the importance of collecting data and applying it to every aspect of their business – from supply chain management to customer interactions.
JustFab for instance relies on fun quizzes to gather information about its customers and then makes product recommendations based on their individual preferences. If a customer is not happy with a particular recommendation, the retailer tracks that and then makes a more informed recommendation next time.
In business, data tends to lead to better decisions, which means that having more data would not hurt.
Collecting data does have one con – it needs to be secure.
That’s why data security will continue being a huge concern for many people both inside and outside the retail market. In the last few years, data breaches have put the information of millions of debit and credit card users at risk, leading to sales losses and increased distrust of major brands.
National Retail Federation purports that one of the major reasons for the breaches in the retail market is because the U.S. financial industry relies on outdated technology from the 1960s. This means that in 2017, companies will not only need to invest in newer technology, with built-in security protocols and authentication systems, but offer customers tangible benefits of sharing their data in the first place.
As customers become more attuned to the tactics used by retailers to deliver personalized messaging – like addressing them by their first name – their interest wanes. That’s why in 2017, we’ll see more retailers test new ways of delivering personalized messaging that addresses the needs of individual customers directly.
Ads that target customers based on their buying habits will be particularly vital since they allow retailers to zero on specific details. For instance, if a customer always shops for a particular brand of jeans, a retailer can create ads that showcase that brand instead of just advertising plain blue jeans.
Retailers that become more pro-active in this area will be more successful at attracting customers.
In 2017, we should see more retailers invest in automated technology such as self-checkouts, chatbots, robotic assistants and automated warehouse systems to reduce labour costs. Brands like Amazon, Walmart and Nordstrom have already taken significant steps toward complete automation, and we’re sure many more will follow.
Here’s what you need to watch out for as far as automation is concerned:
Self-checkout/scan. Self-checkouts and self-scans have been around for quite some time now, but some retailers are already thinking of ways to take this technology a step further.
Amazon’s new grocery store concept known as Amazon Go is arguably one of the most revolutionary shopping experiences in recent years – it bypasses checkouts altogether and instead relies on sensors within its shelves that detect what products customers pick up.
If your store doesn’t have a simpler self-checkout system already, then it’s time to implement one.
Chatbots. These automated customer service representatives help with standard online shopping requests, including product recommendations, pricing and so on.
At the end of 2016, Nordstrom added a chatbot to its Facebook page that assisted customers with gift shopping during the holidays. Other retailers that use this technology include H&M, Macy’s and Tommy Hilfiger.
Robotic assistants. Robotic replacements for human employees are not far off – and they can end up being very cost-effective down the road.
Walmart is planning to roll out a system of self-driving shopping carts that customers would be able to summon with their mobile device and use to guide them within the store from one item to another.
In addition, French supermarket chain Auchan announced in November of 2016 that it will start testing robotic customer service assistants that carry and check out groceries without human assistance.
Automated warehouse systems. With ecommerce fulfillments growing in popularity, more and more retailers are automating their distribution systems to save both time and money.
For instance, Hudson’s Bay Company launched a system in November of 2016 that can locate and ship a product in 15 minutes, which takes an average human employee 2.5 hours to accomplish. It’s said to be 12 to 15 times faster than manual work, so it makes human employees almost obsolete.
Walmart is currently testing a similar system, with the goal of decreasing labour costs by 80%.
More and more companies are looking to invest in digitizing the data that relates to order processes, such as shipment, transportation and logistics, to achieve better supply chain visibility. The idea is to make all this information available in real time to all stakeholders, simplifying collaboration across multi-tier supply chain partners.
Since many retailers still rely on analog methods of supply chain management, we expect this to be one of the fastest-growing segments in 2017.
It shouldn’t be a surprise for anyone that social media plays a crucial role in influencing customer behaviour – except that in 2017, platforms like Facebook and Instagram will become even more important in driving direct sales.
For instance, Instagram’s newest feature allows brands to tag the products that appear in the photos they post, similarly to the way users would tag their friends. By clicking or tapping on the descriptions of those products, users would get redirected to the brand’s website or product page, making it even easier for them to purchase the product.
Social influencers – individuals who have established themselves as thought leaders within certain niches on social media – will continue being an important alternative for promoting products. Their followers listen to what they have to say because they are often perceived more as product reviewers rather than salespeople or brand ambassadors.
Since they cost less than “regular celebrities,” they are perfect for spreading the word about the quality of your products to an engaged audience if you can’t invest too much in marketing.
Virtual reality isn’t just for video games – it can work for shopping too. For instance, customers can use virtual reality to try on clothing without leaving the comfort of their home or test out sports equipment to see how it performs in a practical environment.
Though virtual reality is still in its formative years, some companies are already relying on it to build stronger customer relationships. For example, online beauty supply store Bellabox has used virtual reality to allow its customers to have a virtual conversation with its founder, making the company feel more personable and relatable.
In 2017, virtual reality will undoubtedly continue to increase in popularity, so we’ll likely see more retailers explore its uses.
Overall, 2017 is shaping up to be the year during which online and offline shopping will continue to intertwine, resulting in a more seamless experience for everyone. Retailers that embrace this change will be well-positioned for future success – and those that don’t will not stick around.
What kind of retailer do you want to be?
Toronto, Ontario, Jan. 11, 2017 – Magstar Inc., an ERP software leader in the retail marketplace, today announced an upgrade to version 11 of its Total Point-of-Sale (POS) software offering, which now includes biometric finger verification technology. In addition, the release includes new security features, improved performance, and even greater ease-of-use.
Developed for mid-sized specialty retailers who are struggling to run their stores with generic best-of-breed technology, Total POS is an award-winning solution that seamlessly interfaces with head office supply chain applications for full visibility across a retail chain.
“With the latest version of Total POS, we are adding greater efficiency and flexibility as well as numerous new features requested by our fast-growing customer base,” says Steven Greenwood, President of Magstar Inc. “Retailers can now work on dual screens, setup timed promotions, print & email shortened receipts, and undergo simpler daily cash balancing that is integrated with their back-office audit process.”
The newly introduced biometric finger verification technology is a cost effective way to help retailers protect their customers from data security breaches. Biometrics is an automated verification process that recognizes store staff based on their physiological characteristics. This feature eliminates buddy punching, prevents unauthorized overrides, and reduces transactional complexities and nuances.
Retailers can come see the new biometrics feature in operation by visiting Magstar’s booth #3178 at NRF Retail’s BIG Show 2017. For more information on Total Retail and Total POS, please visit our website at www.magstarinc.com.
About Magstar
For 30 years, Magstar has been helping retailers integrate operations and synchronize workflow with omnichannel ERP and POS solutions made explicitly for specialized retailers. With an end-to-end solution that addresses your unique retail needs, you can automate processes, gain inventory visibility and outshine competitors.
Media Contact:
Alena Blyshchyk
Marketing Specialist
Magstar Inc.
647-243-7803
ablyshchyk@magstarinc.com
www.magstarinc.com