Keeping track of sales transactions is essential for any retailer. Without access to vital data, traders may find that they don’t know which of their goods are selling and which ones aren’t. Not only can this have an obvious negative impact on sales but it also means that retailers can’t forecast ahead and in addition, may end up buying either too much or too little stock.
These days, any sensible business person is likely to avail of technology to track sales. The reasons for doing so are clear — investing in a sound IT system means that retailers can keep an eye on every aspect of their business. One trader who’s come to realise the benefits of investing in a good technology package is Colin
Murtagh, managing director of Stephen Murtagh and Sons.
Originally founded as a corn merchant way back in 1887, Stephen Murtagh and Sons launched into the agricultural hardware business in 1969. In 1980, the company further expanded into the DIY and hardware market and, in recent times, has entered the stud and stable equipment supply business. In addition to serving the farming community, Murtagh’s customers also include county councils, the RDS, the Garda Siochana, Dublin Zoo and prison services. The
retailer currently employs over 12 people at their new state-of-the art premises in Ashbourne, Co Meath.
Continuing expansion
Murtagh recently invested in an Electric Point Of Sale (EPOS) system combined with a fully featured accounting package to keep pace with the company’s continuing expansion. ‘I wanted to ensure that the Murtagh name maintained its position as a progressive retailer in the hardware and DIY marketplace along with keeping intact its traditional business lines,’ he explains.
Prior to the installation of the new system, Stephen Murtagh & Sons operated a manual cash sale docket system from which data was later entered into the retailer’s sales ledger system. However, it was obvious to Murtagh from the beginning that the newly built Ashbourne store was going to change the firm’s product mix to over 80 per cent hardware items. This meant that the firm was likely to experience a significant rise in the number of cash sale transactions at the counter. To cater for this increase, it was decided to implement an integrated EPOS system from PayPoint with the Sage Line 100 accounting suite.
Murtagh, a fourth-generation descendent of Stephen Murtagh, had taken on the responsibility of continuing the growth tradition of the retailer. ‘I needed a solution to streamline all accounting, stock control processes and point of sale requirements,’ he explains. ‘I chose Sage Line 100 not only for its accounting capabilities but also for the ease with which it could fully integrate with PayPoint.’
Stock management
Paypoint’s software enables Stephen Murtagh & Sons to exercise greater management control. The product integrates with accounting, stock and customer management packages to provide a comprehensive system that supports debit- and credit-card processing, electronic funds transfer, customer cheque printing and itemised receipt issuing. It also incorporates a range of stock
management features designed to eliminate shrinkage and enable Murtagh’s to monitor stock levels and order the correct mix of products.
The EPOS system was integrated with the Sage Line 100 Suite to allow the retailer to take full advantage of the accounts package’s features, such as full management reporting from the nominal ledger module. To complete the new technology, the company also invested in Epson IR Epos Till units with touch screens and Sage’s Quickpay to handle the firm’s payroll duties.
Murtagh is more than happy with his outfit’s new IT system. It allows staff to check stock quickly and easily on the system so that customers can be informed immediately of product availability. Barcode data capture ensures that both the correct item is priced and sold at the till, and also assists with the efficiency of the
transaction with the customer. ‘The solution is very user-friendly and we are benefiting from the enhanced reporting capabilities, which allow us to gain instant access to up-to-date management information at the press of a button,’ he says. The next step for the retailer is to facilitate for cyclical stock-taking functions using hand held scanning units. This will reduce the time and money spent on stock taking activity, while at the same time increasing the accuracy of the count.
08/11/04
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