How Retailers Save Time and Improve Service with Bar Coding Technology

Written by Jeff Haefner


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WHAT YOU NEED

You'll needrepparttar following items to start using bar coding...

1. POS - Inventory Software that supports bar code scanning atrepparttar 104870 point of sale.

2. A bar code scanner that's compatible with your POS software.

3. Merchandise that's properly labeled with bar code symbologies that your POS software and scanners can handle.

4. A bar code printer (if all your merchandise comes with UPC codes you won't need this).

HOW TO GET STARTED

Step 1 - Decide if you need a bar code printer. If ALL of your products already have UPC codes then you can probably use those. Otherwise you'll have to buy a "bar code printer" and create your own bar code labels.

Step 2 - Contact your POS - Inventory Software Vendor to find out which scanners and bar code printers they support. You'll need to purchase a bar code scanner and possibly a bar code printer.

Step 3 - Ask your software vendor how to setup your POS - Inventory Software to handle your bar code printer and scanner. Then get your software ready to print labels and scan items atrepparttar 104871 point of sale.

Step 4 - Get ALL of your merchandise bar coded and entered into your POS software. You'll need to use your POS software to print bar code labels for ALL merchandise that doesn't have a UPC code. (Once you get everything labeled you can print and label new merchandise at receiving.)

You'll also need to make sure thatrepparttar 104872 inventory in your POS software hasrepparttar 104873 appropriate UPC code associated with each item. Some of your suppliers might be able to provide "electronic price files" which can be loaded into your POS software. The price file would include SKUs, prices and UPC numbers. Otherwise you'll have to manually associate a UPC number with each inventory item. Again, you'll need to contact your software vendor to learn how to do this.

Step 5 - Make sure your POS software has accurate pricing and each inventory item has bar coding configured.

Step 6 - Now all you have to do is scan items atrepparttar 104874 register instead of enteringrepparttar 104875 SKU. The SKU and price should get entered intorepparttar 104876 POS system automatically.

If used properly, bar coding technology can help you check out customers 20% to 50% faster and lower error rates by almost 4%. Not only does this dramatically improve your customer service but it saves time and lowers your overhead.

If you need help getting started with bar coding, it's best to contact your POS - inventory software provider.

Jeff Haefner is the author of The POS Software Buyers Guide and The POS Tips Newsletter. For FREE tips about choosing POS software and utilizing your retail computer system click here => http://www.possoftwareguide.com


Brand Your Consulting Brilliance

Written by Robert Moment


Continued from page 1

What others say about your brand is much more powerful and credible than what you can say about it yourself.

When it comes to branding your consulting brilliance, favorable publicity inrepparttar media or word of mouth is far superior to advertising. So how do you generaterepparttar 104869 publicity “buzz”? Create a buzz about your brand by being visible: Speaking at seminars, publishing a newsletter on your website, participating as a host or guest on television or radio talk shows, writing a column in a reputable trade journal, and networking.

4. Promote a powerful perception of quality inrepparttar 104870 client’s mind.

What is quality if not a perception that resides inrepparttar 104871 mind ofrepparttar 104872 client? You build quality intangibles around trust, reliability, excellent people, and innovative client services. Show clients that you can interpret and process their information to convert it to results oriented solutions. What you say is important, but what you do is even more important for reinforcing their perception of your brand quality.

Keeprepparttar 104873 lines of communication open. The goal of branding your consulting brilliance is to convincerepparttar 104874 client that your brand is worth their trust and worth a premium price.

5. Establish your credentials as an industry leader inrepparttar 104875 field.

Clients like to know they are doing business with an industry leader. Make clients aware of your consulting acumen, presence, and commitment. Know your clients’ businesses inside out – what they do, why they do it, how they do it. Tout your firm’s successful track record of accomplishment in working with companies like theirs.

Build and sustain credibility with clients by strengthening your client relationships, developing a client retention strategy, demonstrating that you value your new clients, and goingrepparttar 104876 extra mile for them.

6. Practice consistency in building your consulting brilliance.

Stay focused on implementingrepparttar 104877 branding of your consulting brilliance. Keep abreast of marketing trends in your profession and position yourself as a recognized expert. Makerepparttar 104878 most of your unique marketing proposition. Accelerate and elevaterepparttar 104879 perceived value of your brand inrepparttar 104880 marketplace.

In short, to brand your consulting brilliance, know what you have to offer, know how to differentiate it, and know how to market it.



Robert Moment, Author and Business Coach. Author of best selling e-books, “27 Powerful Networking, Branding, and Prospecting Tactics for Your Business” and “The Truth About Winning Federal Contracts”. Robert@federalcontractsforsmallbusinesses.com http://www.federalcontractsforsmallbusinesses.com


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