Tag: POS software

Customer Success Stories: A Look Into How ETP’s POS Software Transformed Retail Businesses in India and the Philippines

Posted on by Omprasad Devadiga

The retail industry is constantly evolving. Customer expectations are higher than ever, demanding a seamless and efficient shopping experience across all channels. For retailers, keeping pace requires powerful tools to streamline operations, improve inventory management, and boost customer satisfaction.

ETP’s POS software is designed to be a transformation engine. We empower businesses of all sizes with a robust and user-friendly platform that goes beyond just processing transactions. In this blog series, we’ll delve into the real-world success stories of our customers, showcasing how ETP’s POS solutions have transformed their retail operations and taken their business to the next level. Get ready to be inspired by how ETP is shaping the future of retail, one success story at a time.

Success Story 1: Indian Fashion & Lifestyle Retailer

Background:

Established in 2006, it’s a pioneering fashion and lifestyle retailer running a bouquet of brands in India. The company forayed into the retail sector in 2000. With several path-breaking landmarks for Indian retail, the retailer pioneered the retail revolution in India and brought about a paradigm shift by redefining the shopping, recreation, and leisure experience.

The company’s multi-faceted retail addresses comprise shopping centers, premium malls, and super luxury malls, which have been delighting visitors with versatility, variety, and premium quality.

Business Needs:

  • Simple and easy-to-use system interface
  • Retail POS software integrated with CRM across all stores
  • Optimise business performance with tight control of back-end processes
  • Stock visibility and control across the retail stores and warehouses
  • Common Loyalty and CRM programs

Implementation:

ETP V5 Omni-Channel Retail Solutions were implemented, including ETP Store, ETP Accelerator, ETP Enterprise Application Server (EAS) and ETP Integrator.

Transformation:

When the luxury & lifestyle retailer adopted ETP’s POS software, it enabled one integrated system across different store formats and ensured a superior customer experience and faster checkouts. Moreover, with scalable solutions, opening new stores became a breeze. Consistent sales data was readily available at the head office thanks to timely synchronisation schedules, while centralised control of schemes and promotions enhanced operational efficiency.

ETP’s POS solution also offered faster time to market and centralised customer loyalty programs spanning across brands, including Auto Tier Upgrade. It ensured centralised validation of gift vouchers, credit notes, and sales returns, seamlessly integrating Point of Sale with gift card services. Additionally, the retail POS software supported accurate cash management at the stores, further streamlining their retail operations.

Here’s what our customer have to say about their experience with us:

“We were founded on a vision that seeks to usher in a better tomorrow by providing people with improved quality of life and living standards. We have endeavored to commit ourselves to providing comprehensive solutions to all our valued customers—solutions that combine high-end technology, design, and aesthetics and meet customer aspirations and expectations through superior standards of performance and service.”

— Chairman, Luxury & Lifestyle Retailer in India

Success Story 2: American Upscale Clothing Brand & Retailer (Philippines)

Background:

The first store was opened in Beverly Hills in 1981. The company was one of the first to create designer jeans for women, while men’s jeans debuted in 1983. A French national and a Filipino-Chinese resident brought it to the Philippines.

Initial Challenges:

  • Data sync between stores and head office
  • Unavailability of real-time inventory/stock information
  • Manual Gift card tracking
  • Manual promotions tracking
  • MS Excel usage for planning

Implementation:

ETP V5 Omni-Channel Retail Solutions

Transformation:

ETP’s point of sale software ensured near real-time data synchronisation, maintaining accurate inventory tallies between the head office and stores. It featured automatic gift card tracking and provided visibility into stock levels at other stores. The retail POS software also included an automatic promotions engine with intuitive performance tracking, which made it easy to monitor and optimise promotions. Customer registration at the store, whether for regular or loyal customers, was seamless. Additionally, the system is fully integrated with ERP and retail solutions, creating a comprehensive and efficient retail management system.

Success Story 3: India’s leading producer & retailer of jewelry, watches, and eyewear

Background:

The company commenced its operations in 1987 and is known for changing the face of the industry. It is also the 5th largest integrated (own-brand) manufacturer in the world.

Initial Challenges:

  • Lack of enhanced POS solutions integrated with enterprise CRM data
  • Lack of complete inventory control and visibility with real-time information
  • No database integration and automation

Implementation:

ETP V5 Omni-Channel Retail Solutions, including ETP Store as POS solutions, ETP Replication Store, ETP Enterprise Application Server (EAS), ETP Accelerator, ETP Supply Chain, ETP Reporter and ETP Integrator.

Transformation:

ETP’s POS software enabled ad hoc reporting across different group levels, reducing dependency on IT support staff. It automated data flow between stores and the head office, minimising billing time and improving customer service. The integrated CRM within the POS system allowed for customer profiling, delivering shopping experiences tailored to individual customers’ product, payment, and promotion preferences.

The POS solutions also enhanced demand management through intuitive features that considered customer buying behavior. It improved inventory, sales, and loyalty program management with real-time enterprise data. Additionally, the system supported adding employee and product KPIs, enabling target-oriented performance monitoring.

ETP’s retail POS software facilitated invoicing, advance order booking, and invoicing for better service to institutional customers. It managed franchise businesses with a single solution synced to different retail formats and ensured seamless integration with backend ERP for supply chain and merchandise management. The simple touch-screen user interface guaranteed faster scanning and billing, enhancing overall operational efficiency.

Here’s what our customers have to say about their experience with us:

“We have about 1000+ stores right now running on ETP POS Solutions, and I like that they are willing to understand the customer recommendation in-depth and deliver the same to the customer, overcoming existing problems.”

— Retail IT Head, Leading producer & retailer of jewelry, watches & eyewear in India

The success stories of retailers leveraging ETP’s POS solutions highlight the transformative power of an integrated, intuitive, and customer-centric retail solution. From faster checkouts and real-time data synchronisation to delivering shopping experiences tailored to individual customers’ product, payment, and promotion preferences, ETP’s retail POS software has proven to be a game-changer for businesses of all sizes.

If you’re ready to elevate your retail operations and achieve similar success, explore what ETP’s POS software can do for you.

Contact us today at etpgroup.com and start your journey toward a more efficient and profitable retail future.

Fraud Detection and Security in Retail: Leveraging AI and ML for Protection

Posted on by Omprasad Devadiga

 

In the fast-paced world of retail, where transactions occur at lightning speed and customer data is constantly flowing, ensuring robust fraud detection and security measures has become imperative. With the rise of e-commerce and digital transactions, retailers face increasingly sophisticated threats from cybercriminals seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in their systems. In response to these challenges, many retailers are turning to cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) – also known as AI in Retail – and Machine Learning (ML) to strengthen their defenses and safeguard their businesses and customers.

What are ML and AI in Retail?

(Artificial Intelligence) AI for retailers involves using automation, data, and technologies like machine learning algorithms to provide consumers with personalized shopping experiences in both physical and digital stores. Whereas machine learning (ML) involves implementing self-learning computer algorithms that are intended to analyze large datasets, find pertinent metrics, patterns, anomalies, or cause-and-effect relationships between variables, and ultimately gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics that shape this sector and the environments in which retailers operate. These advancements highlight the critical role of innovative retail software solutions in addressing the evolving security challenges faced by modern retailers.

Emergence of AI & ML as Powerful Tools

ML and AI in retail have emerged as powerful tools in the fight against fraud in the sector. By leveraging AI and ML algorithms, retailers can enhance their fraud detection capabilities and stay one step ahead of cybercriminals. Additionally, the implementation of AI and ML technologies within (Point-of-Sale) POS software systems further enhances retailers’ capabilities to detect and prevent fraudulent activities, ensuring secure transactions and protecting sensitive customer information

One of the key advantages of AI and ML in fraud detection is their ability to adapt and evolve over time. Traditional rule-based systems are limited by predefined criteria and may struggle to keep pace with rapidly changing fraud patterns. In contrast, AI and ML algorithms can continuously learn from new data, refine their models, and detect emerging threats more effectively. This adaptive approach enables retailers to detect and mitigate fraud more efficiently, reducing the risk of financial losses and reputational damage.

ML and AI in retail industry are also being used to enhance security measures across the retail ecosystem. From online payment gateways to point-of-sale systems, retailers are deploying AI-powered solutions to detect and prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, and other security threats. Advanced authentication methods such as biometric recognition and behavioral analysis are becoming increasingly common, providing an extra layer of protection against fraudsters.

In addition to detecting fraud and enhancing security, AI and ML technologies can also help retailers improve the overall customer experience. By analyzing customer data and transaction histories, retailers can gain valuable insights into consumer behavior, preferences, and purchasing patterns. This data-driven approach enables retailers to personalize their marketing strategies, recommend relevant products, and offer targeted promotions, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty. Moreover, retailers may anticipate sales with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning by examining data on past sales, industry trends, and consumer behavior. This allows retailers to make well-informed business decisions and in planning their personnel and inventory levels.

Furthermore, AI and ML can play a crucial role in optimizing inventory management and supply chain operations, reducing the risk of fraud and theft within the retail environment. But how do you make your e-commerce business fraud-proof? This is where Ordazzle’s AI-powered Anomaly Detection function comes into play. Its proprietary Machine Learning algorithm helps you isolate the abnormal or deviant new orders to be later reviewed and released for execution or cancellation. This helps you avoid any outlier orders that might be fraudulent further improving your inventory for normal orders.

Want to know more about ETP’s anomaly detection functions?

Click here

Potential Challenges of AI & ML in Retail

Despite the numerous benefits of AI and ML in fraud detection and security, retailers must also be mindful of potential challenges and ethical considerations. As these technologies become increasingly integrated into retail operations, concerns around data privacy, algorithmic bias, and transparency have come to the forefront. Retailers must ensure that they adhere to strict data protection regulations, implement robust security measures, and conduct regular audits to maintain trust and credibility with their customers.

How can the Government support adoption of AI in retail?

While AI presents promising prospects for enhancing marketing and operational efficiency, it’s crucial to employ it ethically and transparently. This requires a supportive policy framework addressing data privacy, security, and ethical considerations while fostering innovation.

Governments can facilitate the adoption of AI for retailers by investing in vital infrastructure and digital connectivity, supporting research and development efforts, and fostering collaboration between industry and academia. Additionally, governments can offer incentives and offers to retailers for implementing AI, and promote AI education and training programs to upskill the workforce, enabling them to effectively collaborate with AI systems.

In conclusion, AI in retail industry and ML are revolutionizing fraud detection, empowering retailers to combat fraud, protect sensitive data, and enhance the overall customer experience. By leveraging the power of these advanced technologies, retailers can stay ahead of emerging threats, mitigate risks, and build a more secure and resilient business environment. Moreover, ETP’s retail solutions integrate seamlessly with AI and ML capabilities, providing retailers with comprehensive tools to streamline operations, enhance security, and optimize the customer journey in today’s rapidly evolving retail landscape. As the retail landscape continues to evolve, AI and ML will undoubtedly play an increasingly central role in shaping the future of fraud detection and security in the digital age.

If you are seeking a reliable retail software solution. ETP is undoubtedly the best choice for maximizing efficiency and ensuring success in your retail business ventures.

Top 5 Compelling Reasons Why You Need Omni-Channel Retail

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Top 5 Compelling Reasons Why You Need Omni-Channel Retail

 

The concept of omnichannel retailing has now taken over a majority of the retail industry, with retailers focussing on providing a consistent, coordinated omnichannel customer experience across all customer channels using consistent and universal data.

So, what is omnichannel retail?

Omnichannel retail involves a dramatic shift from the multichannel retail approach. This retail strategy refers to a business model wherein all existing channels are integrated to offer customers a seamless and omnichannel shopping experience. The strategy is empowered by centralised data management, which blurs the lines between online and physical channels.

Customers can seamlessly use different channels in their shopping processes and are given a unique opportunity to create their preferable shopping routines. The omnichannel retail approach is adopted simultaneously in inventory management, sales channel, and marketing strategy.

This article aims to help retailers understand the need of investing in omnichannel retail: 

1.Offering A Wonderful Customer Experience

Omnichannel retailing results in an omnichannel customer experience that seamlessly integrates online and offline channels. A retailer’s ultimate goal should not be to generate sales in a specific channel but to allow purchases to occur naturally and conveniently in the channel chosen by their customers.

By integrating online and offline channels, customers can shop from anywhere and experience an optimized retail experience. Be it shopping in brick and mortar stores or via using apps or company websites, customers can interact on all channels, efficiently manage their loyalty points and rewards, and invest in quick transactions. This type of interaction at all levels helps in improving customer relationships and pushes them to interact on a deeper level with retail brands.

2.Improving Sales

With an omnichannel retailing set-up, shoppers can shop from whichever channel they like, physical stores or online channels. With inventory management integration in the retail strategy, retailers receive stock visibility across all channels and gain accessibility into the customer’s favorite channel. This retail strategy also integrates multiple sales channels, and shoppers can pick the most convenient one, thereby leading to an increase in sales.

3.Increased Customer Retention Rates

Shoppers aim to buy products in a way that is most convenient to them. An omnichannel retail strategy is the best way of offering your customers various sales channels and letting them pick one that best suits them. Further, omnichannel retail incorporates multiple payment gateways that ease transaction processes. This leads to optimized checkout rates and quick and secure checkouts, resulting in increased customer retention.

4.Improved Data Collection

With an intelligent omnichannel retail solution, retailers can store all customer data centrally located on cloud databases. The valuable data may include essential customer information like contact details, purchase histories, etc. Retailers can take advantage of this data for creating personalized shopping experiences for customers. They can monitor customers across all channels, understand them better, know their preferences, and create targeted marketing campaigns and customized promotions for every client that makes them feel special.

5.Enhanced Productivity

The omnichannel retail experience offers a 360-degree view of all the customer purchases that helps to serve them better in the future. The integration of loyalty management programs further increases productivity.

Customers can pick, review information, offer feedback, purchase, promote, and like products from anywhere that increasing overall productivity and efficiency.

ETP’s omnichannel retail software offers an amazing omnichannel retailing experience

An intelligent omnichannel retail software integrates all crucial retail operations such as the point-of-sale, inventory management, customer relationship management, etc. by providing a single point solution for all retail processes irrespective of the channel. It perfectly integrates the backend operations with the demand and supply channels, offering physical and digital retail personalization to the customers which improves their overall experience and visibility of the brand.

 

3 Important Factors to take Retail Personalisation to the Next Level

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etp-blogpost-personalisation

For starters, more than half (52%) of consumers are likely to switch brands if they don’t receive personalized their communications. Moreover, fifty-eight percent of consumers say a personalized experience is essential when purchasing from a particular company. Those are numbers retailers can’t and must not ignore!

If retail brands are vying to thrive and prosper in this forthcoming New Year, ‘customer focus’ is crucial. As a majority of brands will go customer-centric, one of the aspects that will stand-out as the differentiating factor will be the level of personalisation that they provide. Here are few important factors that will help retailer to take their retail personalisation to the next level.

Data centricity
Before diving right into personalisation, the first step is to understand the customer and then plan as to how to go about the personalizing his/her experience. For that it is important to collect data and as far as possible, the right data. And the easiest way to do that is through loyalty programs and for which brands can encourage customers to register at the point-of-sale (POS) with an in-built CRM system. The end goal of personalisation in retail is to create high-value customers who will stick to the brand and carry out repeat purchases.

Omni-channel strategy
While an omni-channel experience isn’t a necessarily a personalized experience, it is a mandatory building block on the path towards creating a personalized customer experience. After all, a personalized experience cannot be offered if customers are treated differently if they use different channels for interacting with the brand. The very essence of omni-channel is creating a seamless and consistent experience for your customers across different devices both online and offline. They key to omni-channel is providing a consistent and personalized experience to every customer regardless of where they’re interact with the retail business.

Technology
Retail brands need to harness the power of technology, necessarily, as an enabler for optimizing their operations and processes to achieve a superior customer experience. It is with the help of technology that retail businesses can be equipped to capture and assimilate data for basing their personalisation strategy. Also, it is through technology that retailers will be able to implement omni-channel into their business. The right omni-channel retail solutions which encompass multiple modules including a retail POS software with an integrated CRM solution, as well as an omni-channel analytics solution, and many more can help retailers integrate, consolidate their business data and processes and implement the necessary strategies to offer a personalized customer experience across all channels.

Personalisation needs to go beyond than just marketing and sales – it has to truly be at the core of the business, influencing and driving every aspect of it. With the right combination of plans, processes and technology, retail brands must be ready to push their boundaries and innovate and grab every opportunity that comes their way to enable their businesses to take retail personalisation experience to the next level.

ETP Group: Omni-channel Retail Solutions assist retailers to surge ahead of the competition

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ETP has recently been recognized as one of the Top 20 Most Promising Retail Solution providers in India for 2017 by CIO Review.

Consumer shopping behavior has changed drastically with the influx of technology in retail. The digital age of retail has begun to compete with the brick-and-mortar traffic but the future of retail is unified commerce, which is about creating a seamless experience both online and in-store. There has been a pressing need for omni-channel strategies that can seamlessly orchestrate customer experiences across multiple touchpoints including brick and mortar store environments, smart phone connectivity, and online sales. To deliver a unified brand-customer relationship, ETP has developed an omni-channel retail solution, ETP V5 with features such as Click and Collect, Click and Deliver, Endless Aisle, holistic view of the inventory and single view of the customer.

Based out of Singapore, ETP is an Omni-channel Retail Solutions company operating in 22 countries across Asia Pacific, India and the Middle East. “Our software solution covers areas such as omni-channel POS, mobility, CRM, marketing and promotion campaigns, procurement, warehousing, distribution, omni-channel analytics and omni-channel connect”, states Naresh Ahuja, Chairman & CEO, ETP Group.

Read more below.

ETP cioreview

4 Important Benefits Of A Good POS Software

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4 Important Benefits Of A Good POS Software

The retail arena is getting immensely competitive and increasingly dynamic. The need to have a solid system in place that can give retail business owners a view of their sales, inventory, customers and employees, can’t be overlooked in today’s day and age. The right point-of-sale (POS) software brings with itself a lot of benefits which retailers need to make use of for enhancing the productivity of their business.
Below are 4 important benefits that a POS software solution should offer to retailers to address the needs of the modern day retail business:

•    Automation of processes:

An efficient POS solution will facilitate automation of various processes including tedious admin tasks such as keeping track of sales, inventory and staff. If it is integrated with other modules, retailers can have a better view of their customer data at the POS, which will enable them to build and sustain customer loyalty. POS solutions will automate the process of cross channel inventory look-up to help in cross-selling and up-selling.

•    Business modernization:

Undertaking in-store activities manually can be detrimental in terms of enhancing retail business operations. In this digital era, retailers have no choice but to upgrade from their traditionally followed processes and inadequacies, and modernize their business to optimize operations. POS software that allows automation will definitely serve this purpose.

•    Speed up operations:

A point-of-sale solution that has the ability to enhance retail operations by modernizing processes and automating functions would not only help save time on various tasks but also facilitate in increasing the speed of operations. Important customer facing processes like billing can be completed in a few seconds with the help of a solid POS technology.

•    Save costs:

Retail POS solutions that can automate time consuming tasks,  thereby increasing the speed of operations and enhancing the business through modernization will essentially save operational costs and allow retailers to channelize the budgets elsewhere, thus making it possible to optimize commercials. An effective POS software solution will therefore help save more than it costs in the long-run.
Retailers need to take cognizance of the above benefits and look for them whenever they are planning to invest in a new POS technology or enhance their existing systems to gain that competitive edge over their peers.
Also Read: Retail And The Importance Of Integration

Top 5 Questions To Ask Before Investing In Retail Pos Technology

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etp-blog-4-important-benefits-of-retail-pos-software

As technology continues to thrive around the world, businesses need to reevaluate their offerings and operations. In retail, the POS is where the ‘business promise’ is realized by the customer. Today, it represents much more than a system to process purchases and can be used as a powerful tool to fulfill both customer and business expectations. So here are the key checks to be made before ringing in a new retail POS system:

Does It Provide True Integration With Enterprise Data?

Julia, a customer, approaches the POS terminal to complete her purchase. Paul, the cashier, feeds in Julia’s name or swipes her membership card to access her buying history. The system interface now displays her purchase patterns and past sale analysis. Paul makes recommendations basis the most frequent bought items, preferred modes of payment, and current offerings on her loyalty credits and identifies promotions to cross/up-sell. If a product is not available in-store, he views, ships and tracks products directly from other stores or the warehouse to Julia’s desired location. Through an integrated POS system, Paul accesses real-time enterprise CRM and inventory data, store sales reports, product performance and business analysis. It empowers him to fulfill customer expectations and thus drive demand optimally.

What About Omni-Channel Functions?

Consumer expectations are not just getting the right product at the right price at the right place at the right time, but also the right interaction and the right service everywhere! An omni-channel point-of-sale system streamlines business operations across physical and digital retail platforms. Customers value instant connect with the brand and staying informed, updated and engaged seamlessly across channels. So, while shopping in-store or on a smart device, they are greeted with personalized communication on products, prices and promotions. Retailers also manage multiple touch-points through a centralized supply chain and intuitive system interface. The capability to delight customers across multiple channels lends to a bigger market share and favorable social quotient. The sustained engagement and accessibility also fosters loyalty and distinction from the competition.

So Is It Completely Mobile?

Often times, even the best shopping experiences are ruined by long queues at the checkout counters. In the age of instant gratification, the sight of a long waiting line would deter walk-ins and even lead to basket abandonment. Installing more POS terminals is an impractical solution in terms of added expense, floor space utilization and viability during low rush hours. mPOS technology extends the functions and capabilities of the POS system on smart devices, as an application. It helps in-store staff to approach the customers, consult them basis their CRM profile and conclude the purchase from anywhere in the store. The invoices are electronically transmitted with enough time left to receive valuable feedback from customers. Happy customers often spread the love to other prospects and drive demand. Saving in-store floor space and using cost-effective smart devices optimizes operational costs further.

But Will It Support Business Growth?

Retail is growing, markets are expanding and opportunities are abundant. Considering the time it takes to set-up or upgrade enterprise technology software, it is essential to ensure the POS system is future-ready. It needs to be easily scalable and secure with the flexibility to adapt to different markets and industry dynamism. The ROI increases steadily with low administration costs and virtual system updates across the enterprise. The POS system processes are seamlessly automated across channels, providing centralized control. This helps deliver uniform brand experience, uncompromised customer service with complete operational visibility.

Vendor Or Partner?

Implementing technology is a long-term commitment which requires equal collaboration between the solution partner and the retail organisation. While a software vendor might support the point of implementation, a solution partner will share business goals towards innovation, growth and profitability. It is vital to choose a solution partner who has created a solid foundation in the industry with the experience of working with retailers of similar size and scope of operation as you. Your investments are better protected with a company which has reached the scale to support you globally but keen on continual customer satisfaction to accommodate your unique requirements. The solution partner should be able to dedicate expert teams with in-depth best practices knowledge. This helps structure the implementation, training, consecutive project phases and support in line with the business projections.

Also Read:  Omni-Channel Fulfilment Is The Biggest Retail Challenge

Blog URL: https://www.etpgroup.com/omni-channel-fulfilment-is-the-biggest-retail-challenge/