|STORE AUTOMATION....PERCEPTION AND REALITY You've probably heard some great stories about store automation. You've probably heard some not-so-great stories, too. The fact is, if you ask 100 different people what a storeowner might expect from store automation, you'll most likely get 100 different answers….and everyone of those answers will be correct. Store owners that implemented automation with yesterday's technology (six months ago or longer) will tell you one thing……store owners with the newest technology will tell you another. Store owners who do not understand how to use their automation tools will tell you one thing….. store owners who are well trained in the uses of automation will tell you another. Store owners who "automated" only by adding a PC to the back office for a few accounting or payroll tasks will tell you one thing …..and store owners who implemented a complete front to back (POS to Backoffice) system will tell you another. Store owners who tried to "patch" together incompatible software and hardware will tell you one thing…..and store owners who chose integrated solutions will tell you another. The fact is that a state-of-the-art system that is correctly utilized can have a significant impact on your bottom line. |STORE AUTOMATION....WHAT EXACTLY IS IT ANYWAY? Let's take a closer look at what "store automation" really is. Just as the term "vehicle" encompasses a very wide range…from motorcycle to school bus, from luxury car to garbage truck, from station wagon to space shuttle….so does the term "store automation." Problems frequently arise because "store automation" really does mean different things to different people. In general, "automation" implies that a computer is being used to simplify store related tasks. In its simplest form, store automation consists of a stand-alone computer, a software program (accounting, for example) and one or more communications devices (most likely a monitor and printer). At the other end of the spectrum, a comprehensive store automation system might include POS system on the front counter, store reporting software in the backoffice and store to headquarters-to-vendor communications....and the ability at the store or corporate level to integrate and control all of the store functions and tasks. Discussing store automation in general terms is not very meaningful. When someone tells you stories about store automation….or wants to sell you a store automation system ….be sure you know exactly what they are talking about. Otherwise you may think you are ordering a sports car….but find out after delivery that you actually ordered a garbage truck. |STORE AUTOMATION....WHAT WILL IT DO FOR YOUR STORE? No two stores are exactly alike. Locations, traffic patterns, store sizes, personnel, customers, management style and store equipment differ. For those reasons, it is impossible for anyone who is not familiar with all the details of your operation to predict the exact impact an automation system will have on your bottom line. The best way to predict how well your store can benefit from automation is to be familiar with the results that others have had and to assess certain cost and benefit factors as they apply to your actual operations. The Store Automation Profit Calculator will help you do that. It is a step-by-step guide to prepare an estimate of how store automation may impact your store's profits. Important factors that affect benefits and costs are listed….as are guidelines that will help you as you complete the worksheets. Methods for determining Return on Investment (ROI) and Payback Periods are shown. Sample calculations (the QUIKMART Store) are included for your reference. When the worksheet is complete, you'll have a clearer picture of what you can reasonably expect when automating your store. ONLINE PROFIT CALCULATOR PRINTABLE PROFIT CALCULATOR