UBC Montana adds Avrio
Last fall, the Montana Tavern Times published a feature on a new player in the Point-Of-Sale marketplace in Montana. The company is going strong but has expanded its line of P.O.S. systems in order to be able to provide a system for any business needs, no matter how large and sophisticated, or small and hands-on.
Myra Stein runs United Bank Card Montana out of her Livingston home base and has been in the hospitality business since she was old enough to work behind a bar, which she did while attending Montana State University in Bozeman, and for years afterward at Boodles, the Crystal Lounge, the Zebra Lounge and elsewhere.
What Stein learned while bartending and in the foodservice side of the business, coupled with her handle on electronic aids for the business, led her to research and identify the P.O.S. systems she believes make the most sense for the Montana market, which is comprised mostly of independent mom 'n' pop operations, as opposed to the ubiquitous mega-chains found in the more urban regions.
She said small Montana operations need simplicity and reliability in a P.O.S. system, for sure, but primarily need affordability. That's why they handle the HarborTouch line. Yet there are larger operations and groups which need maximum sophistication and can easily justify a more substantial investment.
Now, she's got system lines for everyone, no matter the size or complexity of the operation.
Recently, her company picked up the Avrio brand system, which Stein describes as "super fast, user friendly and state-of-the-art, being built on the newest operating system from Micro Soft, the Windows 7 platform.
"My goal with adding this line to our others was to bring a superior product to our existing program and fully complement the system with the local, superior service our clients know we deliver," she said.
She continued, "Avrio as a system is built on 15 years of existing service technology and completely raises the bar for both systems users and restaurant owners.
"Before adding the line and bringing it to Montana, we looked at over 15 different systems. We reviewed each product and each company and easily chose to partner with the SilverWare team, which developed Avrio. The combination of their product and their commitment to excellence and continuously improving Avrio made the decision easy.”
She said, "Both owners and users will find the system easy to navigate and update. From the table layout to the customer management tools, the premise was to create a system that expedites service while providing the business owner the tools, information and reports to finely tune and manage business operations.
"Having installed 30 P.O.S. systems within the last year, we have realized service and support is the most important consideration for business owners," Stein said. "We receive e-mails, calls and texts at all hours, and always want a fast resolution for our clients. After all, we view our clients like partners.
"Our business model is based on a constant interaction with our clients. As all businesses evolve, they are going to want to partner with someone who helps them with the evolutionary changes. We are that team.
"When we started with the introduction of the HarborTouch P.O.S. to Montana, we wanted a scalable product for the mom and pop business across the state. With the Avrio line, we now have top-of-the-line solutions for all Montana restaurants, bars and casinos.
"We have clung to the idea of being a one-stop solution for our clients so they can resolve any issues with a single phone call. We are handling their custom P.O.S. applications, merchant accounts and gift and loyalty solutions," Stein said.
"One of the coolest features of the Avrio P.O.S. system is that the gift card and loyalty module is built in. SilverWare's integrated 'Customer Relationship Management' features empower managers and servers with the tools to keep customers coming back.
"Owners can attract new customers and retain existing ones by introducing incentive programs that work. Whether it's issuing VIP cards, initiating a points program, tracking birthdays or quickly determining a customer’s favorite menu item, SilverWare's Avrio capabilities are extensive."
The HarborTouch system Stein has been marketing, installing and fully supporting is the answer for the smaller, simpler establishments, she said, and P.O.S. sales and service ties in logically with the bank card and check services she's already rendering.
"I can get a single-station system in place for less than five dollars a day or two stations for eight dollars a day for 48 months," she said. A cash price for that most basic system is as low as $3,200, she adds.
And it combines the highly regarded Toshiba hardware with equally reputed Micro Soft programming. The two companies collaborated to develop the HarborTouch system, Stein said, which downloads directly to QuickBooks, the most common of all small business bookkeeping systems, saving even more time and money.
"P.O.S. gets you out of the back office," Stein said, "so you can interact directly with staff and customers, which lends itself to better operations and more profit. In addition, you'll see savings in the front of the house with quicker transaction times."
She said she can show any owner how to manage inventory, schedule staff (it's a virtual time clock, Stein said), speed order taking and processing, increase sales volumes, make orders more accurate and, perhaps most importantly, stop loss and inventory shrinkage.
The systems will produce any number of reports, customized for the operator's preferred format. "Better records equal better management and cash flow and that translates, some day, into a better sales opportunity for your business," Stein said.
"It will pay for itself," she said with assurance. How quickly it does so "depends on how you use it. We need to change the way we operate. Automatic is better than manual."
Stein said she likes to meet with a prospect in person to learn about their business philosophy, their operations, their special promotions or needs and concerns. Then she goes back to her shop and customizes a design for your business which she brings back and fully demonstrates.
That is followed by another round of customization and tweaking to make sure it is set up ideally for a particular business. She says once a deal is made, a system can be installed, which she handles personally, and be operational in one day.
HarborTouch has also released a new update that incorporates a totally secure wireless version driving costs down further while making installation quicker and easier.
"Then we sit there and we train you and your staff," Stein said, "until you're completely comfortable. Then we're going to be in regular touch to work out any problems and implement improvements."
As far as continuing support goes, Stein said she can usually fix any software glitches immediately, communicating with your system over the Internet. "Or I'll come immediately to the location, 24-seven," she added.
Support costs are where some systems really realize their profits. Stein said, "Our support costs are the least expensive of any I've seen."
"If you've thought these P.O.S. systems are not for you, you really have to reconsider," Stein said. "Tough times are when you really need to invest in efficiency."