Andrew Nimick - Technology consultant Andrew is an independent technology consultant whose focus is what technology can do for business and finding the best tools for the job.

First let me apologize for being quiet for the last couple of weeks, I have been rather busy with a secret project.
A few weeks ago when I went to the Auckland Cloud camp I had a good chat with Vaughn Rowsell, founder of VendHQ.

VendHQ is a true Kiwi innovation in the true fashion of our early adoption of EFTPOS. Think of this as CloudPOS. It is a point of sale which runs directly through your browser and connects you to scanning hardware through any PC or Mac you want to use. This means far lower overheads for small business. No expensive terminals with ugly software and constant visits to upgrade. The system stores your data off-site, as well as locally, so it's all backed up on secure servers. If your connection goes down your tills keep working and update when the internet link comes back.

But the cost and security is only part of what attracted me to VendHQ. For small business owners who have a physical shop and an online outlet, it offers the possibility to harmonize the two into one POS. No double-handling of stock. When you run out online it's gone from the store and vice versa, with the system knowing - and warning you before hand to get some more stock.

Via your website you can provide customers with access to a record of everything they buy in either store front, offline or online. Track rewards, special offers and provide the kind of customer value the large retailers go for with loyalty cards.
Customers in a hurry could potentially run into the shop, grab some items, scan them themselves, and pay online later. I say potentially, it's an honesty box issue.
Staff could assist shoppers by going round with them and adding items via an Ipad or other small USB enabled device, or a scanner with wireless to a PC.
Accounts would be a simple thing to have and have settled up online. Easier to track and record than the system they use in my local supermarket (a book).
VenHQ is in its final beta testing now with some forward thinking shops. It's worth a very good look if you need a better system or are setting up a shop.
http://vendhq.com/