Choosing the Right Kind of Retail Loyalty Program

Choosing the Right Kind of Retail Loyalty Program  From Kate Baumgart Hogenson

Retail Loyalty 101

The greatest growth area for customer relationship programs today is retail.

A recent survey reported that, among multi-channel retailers without an existing loyalty program, 43 percent planned to introduce some kind of program within the next year. That's an astonishing figure; and powerful proof that interest in customer loyalty continues to strengthen.

But what kind of programs will all these eager retailers bring to market?

All too often we've watched retailers, who obviously feel the hot breath of their competition, push to get to market quickly by making compromises that in turn compromise the success of their program. Some key examples are:

·          Implementing a manual program (e.g., a punchcard) to get around point of sale technology limitations - an approach that usually

• Building a program around a private label credit card in the hopes that it will stimulate acquisition and usage - thus losing the ability to track activity by customers using other forms of payment.
• Excluding online (or offline) purchases because the different channels are managed separately - an organizational issue that prevents retailers from tracking, recognizing or rewarding a customer's contribution.
• Basing rewards totally on short term opportunistic promotions that may drive traffic but fail to provide longer term incentives for profitable customer behavior and brand involvement.

When many people think about customer loyalty, they still think about the granddaddy of all loyalty programs, the airline mileage programs. But Granddad isn't the leader of the pack anymore. In fact, the airline reward model may be entirely inappropriate for most retailers (we're not even convinced it's the right model for airlines anymore). Such programs, as we've said before, may have serious pitfalls for the unwary:

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Retail Pro Version 9 Status and Important Dates Regarding Retail Pro Version 8

Retail Pro Version 9.13 is in general release.  Based on your business needs and any customizations that you are using, we are now selectively updating customers to Version 9.13.

Please keep in mind that Version 9 is available free of charge to customer with a current Software Assurance Plan (formerly called Membership), however, we require customers to purchase training and implementation services for this update. 

With the release of Version 9, Retail Pro is notifying all customers far in advance regarding when you will no longer be able to purchase Retail Pro Version 8 licenses and when Retail Pro Version 8 will no longer be supported.  Please review the following Business Partner Policy from Retail Pro for further information: Important Notice Regarding Release of Retail Pro 9 and Discontinuation of Retail Pro 8.

For more information on updating to Version 9, or for any questions regarding the status of Version 8, please contact your Account Manager Stacey Ryan at (303) 738-1800 Ext 321 or Kathe Burke at (303) 738-1800 Ext 319.

Please click here for more info.

Take Your POS System to the Next Level!

While many Point-of Sale and Inventory Control solutions provide an excellent platform for success, much more can be achieved.  Advanced Retail Management Systems offers Development Services to enhance your Point-of-Sale and Inventory Control software.  Our expert staff is certified on multiple Point-of-Sale systems and cutting edge technologies, and is here to help you reach your objectives.

POS systems are feature packed, but don't always sell the way you do, do not always allow you to connect to 3^rd party applications or may not be giving you the information you need.  ARMS' Development Services can turn your ideas and your goals into reality. 

Here are some examples of custom functionality that ARMS' Development Services can deliver to your business to increase your efficiency and profit:

• Discount schemes or customer loyalty programs that work the way you do business
• Website integrations to streamline the entire sales and order process
• Integrating your customers and purchases into a CRM application
• Custom reporting
• Electronic catalogs
• Real-time shipping quotes or sales information
• Employee ID cards for login
• Import digital invoices from your vendors
• And many more custom applications based on your needs

For more information on ARMS' Development Services contact Katya Poleschuk at (303) 738-1800 Ext 308 or at devser@armsys.com .

Tech Tips

We have several backup solutions:

Removable hard drives that the client trades out every day or so.  Uses batch files that run form Rpro scheduler (or some other scheduler) to simply copy files from Rpro / BW to the removable hard drive into folder named for the day of the week.  This method provides 2 weeks of backups and the ability to easily replace single files or whole folders in Windows Explorer.  It is usually scheduled to occur at night, but not during polling or any other Rpro functions.

• Tape backups are more troublesome.  We have set them up in the past, but have shied away from this option for about a year now.  Backup program is usually Veritas or as provided by the tape drive manufacturer.
• External backup drives are usually SUB< AND require PNP OS's and hardware.  This is becoming the backup of choice, and works very similar to the removable hard drive backup system.
• Rpro provides the safeguard backup system, which simply zips up key data files into the Rpro folder.  Okay to have in a pinch, but not an adequate primary backup system
• The magical backup fairy which is the backup that clients look for when their hard drive on the main master has exploded, and they haven't done a backup in over 2 years (when they were on V6).  Apparently only ARMS has access to this type of backup system, which is why clients call tech support for their backups.

Kristina Gallagher, Web Developer

Meet Krissy Gallagher, Advanced Retail Management Systems Web Developer.  Krissy joined ARMS in early December of 2006 as a part of the Development Services Department.  In the time that she has been here, she has made a big impact by updating our Web Sites, Company Logo, Marketing Campaigns and is working on many more exciting projects.

This New Hampshire transplant and her newly wedded husband, Bill, came to Denver in April of 2006 after a two-year stay in Pittsburgh. Krissy has a Bachelor's of Fine Arts Degree in Graphic Design from Colby-Sawyer College in New London, New Hampshire.  While in Pittsburgh she worked as a Digital Media Manager for a large travel agency. Her talents have already won her the respect of her peers here at ARMS.  Krissy is an equestrian with many years of experience showing her horse "Budlite," who made the move to Colorado as well. She competes in Jumping, Hunt Seat, and Western Riding.

Keep your eyes open for continuing changes in the ARMS web site and other media activities. 

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