Find retail management systems software solutions to help you run a more efficient, organized and effective business. Sometimes you feel you can't get aggressive with your store because you're so busy just trying to keep up. The right retail management systems software can help keep you focused on the big picture and on track to accomplish more every day, every month and every year.

You can seek out a retail management systems software provider that provides either canned or customized software solutions. As you begin your search, consider the following:

1. Consider ease of retail management systems software installation and set up.

2. Compare prices for retail management systems software -- they vary widely.

3. Pay for a retail management systems software package with features you'll use.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for an all-in-one retail management systems software solution

Don't spend money on multiple software solutions if you can find everything you need in one package.

I recommend: Retail Pro software at One Step Retail Solutions is a leader in inventory control and point of sale systems for small and medium sized specialty retailers. Retail Pro provides tools for inventory control, pricing and trends. It includes accounting integration, customer user interface and customer database, ecommerce tools, HR system integration, mail order/catalog management, purchasing management, reporting and sales tracking. Order the Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System software from NuRol. Designed for growing retailers, you can track and manage your inventory, streamline your POS processes and integrate/operate with the systems you already have in place. The retail management systems software list of features includes help for daily point-of-sale operations, Internet applications, control and tracking for different types of inventory, pricing/sales/promotions, advanced security options, permissions, wizards, reports, customer management and marketing, employee management and interface with other accounting software.

Consider a customizable retail management systems software solution

Look for software that provides the flexibility of customization.

I recommend: Contact CAP Software to inquire about its ability to custom build a retail management software package specifically for your business. The company's existing software offers point-of-sale support, back office functions, the ability to manage multiple stores from one location and credit/gift card processing. Consider the customizable Celerant Command Retail POS software system that helps you manage every area of your retail business. The software helps you with point of sale, back office, inventory management, warehouse, distribution center allocation, multi-channel/e-commerce/kiosk, data mining, customer relationship management, employee management and more.

Look for online demos of retail management systems software

Free demonstrations can help reinforce your perceptions of the software's ease of use.

I recommend: Register for a free demo of CounterPoint from Advanced Retail Management Systems. With this software, your clerks will gain access to real-time, instant inventory so they always know what's in stock. Key features like pricing, touch-screen and regular ticket entry, store credits, gift certificates, shopping cards, taxes, payment processing and retail kits will help you manage and optimize your POS process. You can also use the software to expand your retail operation to the Internet with little effort, using numerous built-in reports. Sign up to view the free demo of the CoreSense Solution, an SaaS-based integrated retail management solution. In addition to managing multiple warehouse functions and retail inventory, the software includes a centralized product catalog, order lifecycle management and customer relationship service.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  While sifting through retail management systems software information, make sure the retail management systems software provider you settle on will provide the technical service and support you expect. Check out their days/hours of support and the price you pay for specific technical support plans.