QuickBooks has a large and loyal following of pool and spa businesses that have used the QuickBooks Point-of-Sale (POS) system for years. The end of QuickBooks POS on October 3, 2023, will likely impact many pool and spa retailers. However, it also provides the perfect opportunity for pool and spa businesses to look for a new, fully integrated, industry-specific software solution that will make the transition away from QuickBooks seamless and even provide new opportunities to improve business operations! Here are four tips to consider when selecting a replacement for QuickBooks POS.
Tip 1: Choose a specialty POS
There are many POS options and knowing which system to choose can be difficult. Luckily, pool and spa businesses can pick a point-of-sale system specifically designed for our industry. Remember that a generic system, similar to QuickBooks POS, won’t provide access to the level of user-focused design that makes for much easier implementation. Industry-specific business software allows pool and spa businesses to do more with less and scale in ways never before possible. This means business size matters less as automation can give the advantage to smaller brands that are often able to react to new trends faster than their larger rivals. Investing in industry-specific software enables businesses to automate time-consuming, recurring business activities, streamline workflows and improve the efficiency of business operations.
Tip 2: Select a POS with top-notch tech support
Look for an industry-specific software that understands the pool and spa industry. Having tech-support that understands the nuances of our industry, including our seasonality and the importance of vendor integrations, makes it invaluable to select a POS system backed by a team of experts who understand the players and time constraints that are unique in our industry. Remember, that as of October 3, QuickBooks POS won’t supply tech support, so implementing a new POS system with experienced tech and customer support is essential to transition quickly and effectively during the slower, winter months.
Tip 3: Look for essential vendor integrations
Look for software offering integrations with both suppliers and water testing to save your business hours of work, protect against errors, and help your business stay ahead of supply chain issues. Generic systems, like QuickBooks POS, don’t offer that level of efficiency. Pool industry software directly integrates with pool and spa vendors and distributors with pre-programmed SKUs. This saves staff hours of work simply because the software runs automatic pricing and inventory imports/updates.
Industry-specific software enables pool and spa businesses to immediately check vendor orders, status, and available inventory before placing orders. There is no better way to provide outstanding customer service and stay ahead of the competition than to have business software fully integrated with pool and spa vendors and suppliers.
Tip 4: Choose a system with mobile functionality
Mobile functionality is another indispensable feature in today’s competitive marketplace. Seize the opportunity to implement a POS system with mobile functionality allowing staff to use mobile tablets and smartphones to access all the information in your POS system from anywhere on the retail floor. The ability to help customers with readily accessible information on a mobile screen improves customer satisfaction and builds an incredible customer loyalty.
Out with the old, in with the new
As pool and spa businesses explore POS solution to replace QuickBooks POS, selecting an industry-specific POS solution, like RB Pool & Spa POS, will allow pool and spa businesses to quickly integrate e-commerce, mobile retail functionality, mobile payment processing, vendor integrations, integrated water testing and so much more. Now is the time to move beyond generic POS systems and get a more powerful, industry-specific POS solution instead!
