Retail management systems are necessary tools in today’s age of business.
As a leader in business software solutions for more than 40 years, Merlin Software shows no signs of slowing down, having this year doubled the number of new clients implementing the Cobalt Retail Management System (‘Cobalt RMS’).
Cobalt RMS is designed to provide maximum value to medium and large sized businesses with more than a basic point-of-sale system but less than a full-blown enterprise-resource-planning system, eliminating the need for clients to have their own IT teams to manage the system.
Procedures can be embedded within Cobalt RMS which will enhance consistency across the business. This can fortify operations, attracting customers and improving experiences, resulting in better margins and repeat custom.
Merlin Software’s sales and marketing coordinator, Jack Garland, says the importance of reliable systems in today’s businesses is growing.
He says “we all know how much smartphones have changed the world, including consumer behaviour”.
“Customers don’t buy goods from one place anymore, they shop around.
“But this also means your competitors are stronger too. They can sell to your customers online, from anywhere.
“So when scoping any software program for business, it is important to consider not only the overall size of operations but the personalities of staff.
“Sending the most tech-savvy employee out to scope is all well and good, but they need to choose a product which can actually be used by all staff, or a service provider delivering sufficient ongoing support for staff who are not big tech users.”
One of the features with Merlin Software is its offer of unlimited support with Cobalt RMS – at no additional cost.
“Cobalt RMS is very much designed as a mid-market option. We pair the ease of a point-of-sale system with the advanced functionality of an enterprise level system,” Mr Garland added.
“We do so without charging a six-figure annual bill and we support the program fully. We take on client feedback and adapt the system to changing regulations. We host user group meetings regularly across regional Australia, meeting with Cobalt users in person to understand their businesses better,” he said.
Retail management systems offer several benefits:
1. Improved efficiency by streamlining processes, reducing wait times.
2. Reduced costs through better inventory management.
3. Increased customer satisfaction through promotions and loyalty points.
4. Maximised sales through up-sell and cross-selling features.
5. Margin retention when cost changes occur.
6. Insights and reporting for business transformation.
7. Unified operational infrastructure by integrating all systems and processes.
Cobalt RMS is a modular system with separate applications for point-of-sale, accounting, payroll, workshops, commission sales.
All modules are compliant with the latest Australian business practices, including ATO STP2. The system includes Cobalt Touch (i.e. web-version designed for smartphones) and an eCommerce link with Shopify, all fully supported in the single monthly fee.
Importantly, Cobalt RMS can be setup as a private cloud or an on-premises solution.
The former solution involves Merlin Software securely hosting your system, for you to access from anywhere; the latter involves a Cobalt Enterprise Server (fully warranted and provided as part of the software agreement) for superior speeds, the ability to trade during internet outages, plus remote access from anywhere.
Merlin Software also offers a small business starter package from $399 per month plus GST. Merlin Software does not charge any upfront fee for any of its systems.
A retail management system is necessary for any business. Electronic cash registers for point-of-sale count as retail management systems, but depending on the size of the operation, they may not get the business far. For growing businesses, integrated systems are far better.
Cobalt RMS is fully integrated, meaning data is shared across applications to manage all aspects of the business. It eliminates IT maintenance and integration costs, increases productivity by eliminating duplication and data management while improving communication between departments. Cobalt RMS is not a steppingstone for the business to cross, instead the system can be scaled to accommodate growth.
Frankland Rural’s business manager, Chloe Casson said “our business has been using Cobalt since 2014. We were looking for a new software program that would help us manage the inventory in our growing business, as our previous off the shelf software didn’t have the capability to deal with things like consignment stock and dangerous goods management”.
“We completed extensive research into the various options available and were very impressed with what Merlin had to offer.
“We love the fact Cobalt is specifically tailored to the agricultural retail industry and keeps up to date with the ever-changing rules in the sector. The reporting capabilities of Cobalt are extensive, and reports can be generated for any number of scenarios, which makes for effective data analysis.
“We view Cobalt as an asset to our business and an investment in our future. We are confident in the security of our data and are extremely happy with how Cobalt complements our business.”
Navigating the business world can be tricky. It becomes a lot easier when the business has a strong system in place.
“Merlin Software understands recent record-breaking years are at risk this season due to various factors,” Mr Garland, a third-generation family member of Merlin Software, says.
“We know these challenges are facing the customers of our clients as much as our clients themselves.
“It’s never been more important for us to be involved in the industry and stay abreast of its developments,” he says.
“We form partnerships with our clients, as a service provider they can reach out to and have constructive discussions with. So far as industry-specific software solutions are concerned for rural retailers across Australia, I have strong hopes for Cobalt RMS to become the platform for the industry.”
