looking good
Posted: Mon 24 Sep, 2012 4:23 pm
Well - Ive looked at a few POS offerings recently and I am fairly sure that Ive already got the best one on offer.
Framers Forum Live gave me the chance to look at a number of alternatives but I'me sticking with my opinion that EstLite does it as well as all the others - and on many things does it better.
I know that John has always said that he wants to minimise the information that needs to be typed in - and thats the first thing you notice when looking at other vendors - lots of inputting and in most cases a distinct lack of linked software to complete the task for you (PSD Post code info is a real time saver - and results in a very usable database of names and addresses). EstLite is also more graphically presented than the other contenders - although its one of the factors that I think all POS systems need to take a long hard look at - We are spoilt nowadays with softwares that just look so good - I'me greedy and want the same presentation.
They (the POS softwares) all have slightly different ways to achieve the same result - its really how they present that result - and how they detail your business model - are they flexible enough to give you a different costing breakdown for different customer types - do they allow your best customers to have a loyalty discount - Trade customers discounts - readymade pricing - stock inventory etc.
I love lifesavers ability to be flexible - its stock inventory is fantastic and its reporting ability second to none - but its still too intensive on input - and just a touch too keen to print out reams of paper. Eric Crowe has shown massive commitment to making lifesaver a valid UK product - discussed with many framers around the UK as to what they think of his software - and taken on board the comments - but I bet that many like me were comparing it to EstLite and thinking that if we had some of those advanced functions then Est's ease of use would blow the others out of the water.
I still have a preference for the aperture out way of pricing and think that Est would benefit from some automation of this function (possibly pre defining the mat widths on the job entry screen(1) ) and networking on Est needs some more attention - but its a facility provided FOC on Est that comes with a hefty price tag on others. Dymo label implementation has shown some real promise - along with barcoding and QR code generation - This all bodes well for some of those more advanced features of pricing other stocked items. Almost live stock lists is comparable if not a little in advance of other systems - and SMS customer messaging seems to be unique. - No I will stick to my original opinion - EstLite is still a very good POS - with a lot going for it - its just that those other systems are starting to look good - but also looking very expensive for little or no advantage in usability
Framers Forum Live gave me the chance to look at a number of alternatives but I'me sticking with my opinion that EstLite does it as well as all the others - and on many things does it better.
I know that John has always said that he wants to minimise the information that needs to be typed in - and thats the first thing you notice when looking at other vendors - lots of inputting and in most cases a distinct lack of linked software to complete the task for you (PSD Post code info is a real time saver - and results in a very usable database of names and addresses). EstLite is also more graphically presented than the other contenders - although its one of the factors that I think all POS systems need to take a long hard look at - We are spoilt nowadays with softwares that just look so good - I'me greedy and want the same presentation.
They (the POS softwares) all have slightly different ways to achieve the same result - its really how they present that result - and how they detail your business model - are they flexible enough to give you a different costing breakdown for different customer types - do they allow your best customers to have a loyalty discount - Trade customers discounts - readymade pricing - stock inventory etc.
I love lifesavers ability to be flexible - its stock inventory is fantastic and its reporting ability second to none - but its still too intensive on input - and just a touch too keen to print out reams of paper. Eric Crowe has shown massive commitment to making lifesaver a valid UK product - discussed with many framers around the UK as to what they think of his software - and taken on board the comments - but I bet that many like me were comparing it to EstLite and thinking that if we had some of those advanced functions then Est's ease of use would blow the others out of the water.
I still have a preference for the aperture out way of pricing and think that Est would benefit from some automation of this function (possibly pre defining the mat widths on the job entry screen(1) ) and networking on Est needs some more attention - but its a facility provided FOC on Est that comes with a hefty price tag on others. Dymo label implementation has shown some real promise - along with barcoding and QR code generation - This all bodes well for some of those more advanced features of pricing other stocked items. Almost live stock lists is comparable if not a little in advance of other systems - and SMS customer messaging seems to be unique. - No I will stick to my original opinion - EstLite is still a very good POS - with a lot going for it - its just that those other systems are starting to look good - but also looking very expensive for little or no advantage in usability
