Hi everyone, I’m looking to get a new POS Software, any suggestion?”
“I need recommendations for new drycleaning software”
“Hi all, any good software for routes?”
“What’s the best software”
“I’m new to the drycleaning business, what system should I buy?”
I am often amazed and entertained by some of the responses to important questions raised on the Cleaner & Launderer Community FB page, especially when there’s a post for a recommendation on dry cleaning software. I’m sure you’ve seen the long repetitive threads with a variety of Likes, Emojis, Gif’s and Comments from the same people every time the topic arises.
Is your purchasing decision really influenced by ‘Likes’ and posts such as……“we’ve been using Blank computer systems for 10 years and it’s great” or “Blank.com” or “ABC computers is hands down the best” or “you can’t go wrong with XYZ Computers.” Are you really helping?
It’s been my experience, that when you pose a question like that to the Community, it invites opinions and ‘Likes’ from biased users that have very little to do with YOUR specific objectives…kinda like asking the group, “what’s your favorite ice cream?” While everyone will be weighing in with their favs…by the end of the day you’ll be scratching your head…probably taking a few aspirin for the headache and be no further down the road with the information you need in order to make the best decision for YOU.
When you consider a change of software, you are committing to that company’s interpretation of how drycleaning should work or how you ought to operate your business. Yes, woven into the thread of all industry software is certainly a foundation of commonality and flexibility, but do not make the mistake that there is a one size fits all approach.
There is no use buying a highly rated software product if it does not meet your specific needs. And you do not want to sign on with a product that is not headed in the right direction for your business. Which options are better suited to your use today? Which options are more likely to add new features that will help you in the future? One way to prioritize is to find products geared towards people like you and companies like yours.
To help move passed the opinions and better navigate through your needs and available options, I offer this template that hopefully will help assist you in preparing your analysis of software options and comparisons.
Company Overview:
How long has the Company been in business?
Where does their Industry expertise come from?
Total No. of employees?
No. of Support staff?
Support hours?
Do they sell, service and support in United States Only? Other countries?
Languages supported?
Drycleaning Only? Other vertical markets?
No. of Customers?
No. of Customers with multi-locations?
Largest customer: No. of locations? No. of Pieces per Day?
User group meetings?
What does a support call look like?
System/Software Overview:
Is Software Hosted? Web/Cloud-Based? Stand alone?
What Cloud services/platform?
How often are Upgrades published?
Do they provide API’s to third party software?
Unlimited Pricelists?
WDF capability?
Software features for Monthly subscriptions?
Designer brands descriptions?
Is User Interface, Text? Pictures? Both?
Hotel Accounts capability with tiered billing?
What does Rewards program look like?
What customer Data can you collect?
Is there a Customer App? Features?
Customer remote account controls? Include what capabilities?
CRM (Customer relationship manager) features?
Locker capabilities?
SMS Text capabilities?
Email capabilities?
Reporting capabilities? Static? Custom? KPI?
Data mining capabilities?
Required hardware?
Marketing capabilities?
Production overview:
1. Front Counter Operations
Itemized detailed Ticket to customer?
Stub/Quick Ticket to customer?
Customer Express (VIP) Bag w/bar code luggage Tag?
Paperless capability. Email/SMS text Ticket to customer?
Drive thru service capability?
Self-Service kiosk?
2. Mark In Operations
Paper piece tag?
Paper lot tag?
Permanent Bar Code Heat seals?
RFID?
3. Assembly
Manual Lot assembly?
Manual Piece Tag assembly?
Auto Assembly? (if auto-assembly)
Computer assisted Auto Assembly?
Conveyor integration?
Other?
Future consideration?
4. Pieces Per Hour Tracking?
5. Item tracking?
6. Presser efficiency metrics?
7. Production reporting? By store?
8. Fire Restoration? Integration?
Routes/Delivery Overview:
Unlimited Routes?
Static and “will call” capability?
Customer side App/Portal?
Driver side App/Portal?
Electronic Manifest?
Automated Route-Day-Stop#?
Route Optimization?
Customer credit card on file?
GPS tracking with turn-by-turn directions?
No. of driver mis-stops tracking?
Store/Driver/Customer SMS Text messaging?
Pre-Delivery text messaging?
Driver commissions reporting?
Costs Overview:
Software pricing: Saas Fees per terminal? Per location? Per Other?
Total concurrent Users allowed?
Software modules a-la-carte? Included?
Cost of software Implementation?
Cost of data transfer?
Cost of training? Remote? Onsite?
What does software deployment look like?
Walk me through the Installation/Training process?
Cost of SMS/Text Messaging?
Credit Card partner (s)?
What are the costs for minor customization?
Termination clauses, Contract term, Commitments, Discounts, Hidden Fees
Misc. Costs
Questions to ask:
What differentiates your product from others?
Top reason why customers have switched to your software
Where do you see company development efforts/resources headed?
What is your best feature to combat Covid 19 losses?
Where do you see your growth?
When was your last update? What did it include?
Product & Industry knowledge of company representative?
How would you rate your relationship with integral Industry partners?
What does post installation look like?
Give me 2 references.
Arrange a visit with a user
Arrange for a software demonstration
Does Company provide ‘free trial’?
All systems have the basics. Narrow it down to 2……go to their websites……formulate your questions……schedule a demo and see which one addresses your SPECIFIC needs best, navigates easily, has good workflow logic and is within your planned budget.
These are just suggestions and approaches to take when comparing software. I hope you find them helpful. Most buyers I talk to choose to organize their research in a spreadsheet or a slide presentation format.
Good luck!
