For water franchisers, ensuring a consistent, efficient and profitable operation across multiple locations can be challenging. Managing supply chains, maintaining regulatory compliance and delivering high quality service to customers require seamless coordination – yet many franchisers still rely on manual...
For many businesses across South Africa, financial year end is looming near, and it’s no different for retailers. Such periods provide retail businesses with a valuable opportunity to assess performance, optimise operations, and strategically plan for the year ahead. With...
As a business, one constantly looks for ways to grow and thrive in today’s ever-changing retail landscape. Franchising can be a powerful strategy for expanding your reach and boosting revenue, but let’s be honest – managing a network of franchise...
Looking to maximise your understanding of IQ Retail software? Our training services offer a comprehensive solution tailored to your needs, available for all our end-users and authorised business partners. Here are the top 5 benefits:...
Business decision-makers face numerous challenges, from evolving consumer needs to intense competition and complex processes. As consumers increasingly shift towards eCommerce, businesses must ensure seamless distribution operations to stay competitive. This requires delivering fast, traceable service while optimizing resources and...
In an industry where agility and adaptability are important, LMS provides a strategic advantage when it comes to advancing your knowledge. Retailers equipped with knowledge obtained from LMS can respond swiftly to changing retail market dynamics, ensuring that their offerings...
Customer experience has grown in importance, and businesses must provide a fast and efficient service to their customers or avoid falling behind the curve and losing market share. As distributors, wholesalers, and retailers look towards digital transformation to help them...
Nobody understands the ‘move to mobile’ better than IQ Retail, which is why we’re proud to support your business with our eSales app. eSales is a mobile app that enables you to easily raise quotes and capture customer orders. The...
Keeping your ERP system up to date is a crucial exercise every business must do regularly. Find out why, in our latest blog article. Whether or not an ERP system is a necessity for modern businesses is no longer a...
Our eSales app enables you to raise quotations and capture customer orders in-store and remotely. Find out how you can give your business the competitive edge. The beginning of the year is undoubtedly, the busiest time for industries like Retail...
Looking for a way to save time on mundane business tasks and boost your business profit? Get full visibility of your business performance. The modern business environment is continuously moving at an increased speed, and businesses need to keep up...
Gone are the days of multiple systems that operate independently from each other. If you are still using manual processes or outdated systems, it’s time for a change. Change, as we know, is not always easy. Sometimes a business might...
Some ideas are ahead of their time. For example, in 1891, William Morrison built the first-ever electric car. However, it took 117 years for the first legal road-worthy version to appear in the form of the Tesla Roadster. By contrast,...
What is ERP? Enterprise Resource Planning, or ERP in short, refers to a business management system or software that can help an organisation to manage their resources and operational processes. Whether you are running a single branch or multiple distribution...
The real trick in life is to turn hindsight into foresight that reveals insight – Robin Sharma Keeping up with industry trends is critical for the businesses of today as it helps customers stay relevant and helps them keep up...
During the start of the pandemic the globe experienced what was referred to as ‘panic buying’, whether that be personal panic buying, experiencing a shortage of key items or in many cases, your business may have been affected by it....
There has been a big drive towards digital transformation over the last two years. This is nothing new, as it’s been years in the making, but there has most certainly been an escalation in the drive to digitally transform....
It’s a new year which is often accompanied by new goals, new ideas and new opportunities. There is just something magical about a new year and that fresh start and this year is no different. In fact, we are particularly...
Driving business growth is a top priority for CEO's across hire businesses all over the world; Mckinsey reports that businesses that get analytics and digital right can drive 5 to 10 percent revenue growth within a few months. Getting sales...
If this year has taught us anything, it’s that we need to be prepared for the unexpected or at least be able to adapt quickly and efficiently to whatever unusual events we may experience. Times have changed and we need...
Small business with big ambitions? In this day and age there are retail, accounting and business management software solutions available for businesses of all sizes, including the small to medium sized organisations. Industry leading software provider, IQ Retail, will cover...
With so many options on the market these days, choosing your retail or business management software along with industry-tailored solutions or applications has become a more complex task. Two key questions that might come up:...
inspHire is a simple to use, hire and sales management system that provides an extensive set of features for the communications industry. Streamlining all hire and sales processes, inspHire covers the entire hire cycle from purchasing new hire and sales...
Did you know your small business can easily integrate its IQ Retail solution with top apps and various other key business management solutions, to gain a competitive edge in the marketplace? Below are some options that provide instant access to...
When purchasing an IQ Retail product, a service update agreement (SUA) is the supporting documentation that explains the software licensing conditions and gives you access to additional benefits, such as free support and upgrades. Here are four reasons as to...
New South African motoring industry changes took effect on 1 July 2021, boosting the competition in the automotive aftermarket sector - service, repairs and maintenance. Finally, independent service providers (ISPs), repair shops and automobile parts vendors will compete for business...
With more cloud infrastructure and powerful data-driven processes incorporated in modern software, high-performance ERP systems cater to nearly every business, industry, and requirement these days. Gartner predicts that by 2023, 65% of organisations will use ERP applications to optimise business...
Keeping up with the latest tech has become exceptionally important. Especially since the start of Covid-19 which has most certainly increased the urgency towards digital transformation. Thankfully, these days there are solutions available for businesses of all sizes and in...
Becoming an IQ Retail business partner is the easiest way to expand on your existing software solutions offering, Herewith some of the advantages or plus points of becoming an authorised IQ Retail reseller or business partner. Well established software solution...
If you are an authorised reseller of ERP, Retail or Business Management software systems, partnering with a world-class leading software solutions provider like IQ Retail will be of exceptional value to your business....
According to Gartner, ERP systems have entered into its 4th era of development, defined by superior data-centric, AI-driven, agile and customer-facing systems. Why is this so important for commercial enterprises? By 2023, it is estimated that 65% of organisations will...
If you have taken the necessary steps to centralise and secure all your data with a commercial ERP or business management solution, analysing and assessing the information becomes crucial to understanding what the data indicates and to make more informed...
Business Intelligence (BI) has long surpassed being merely a buzzword and has become critical for businesses as it provides insights in to your business in an organised and useful manner allowing for more informed decision making. Software, such as ERP...
Large inventory and detailed sales quotations, commonplace in the tyre and fitment industry, require more advanced sales management. Having multiple tasks performed from a single screen fast-tracks and streamlines sales operations. One Single View for inventory...
Times have changed and ensuring your business runs on the latest technology has become key. If you are managing online deliveries, especially nowadays with the many COVID-19 restrictions, an electronic proof of delivery (ePOD) application will help you gain control...
Bad stock management or a lack of control over your stock can cause some serious damage. Stock control is an essential part of any business and should be top of mind as far as priorities go. Managing stock can often...
If you manage online deliveries (and you should, given the many COVID-19 restrictions in retailing), an electronic proof of delivery (ePOD) application will help you gain control of the customer delivery cycle and eliminate most common delivery issues:...
We recently launched an upgraded version of our software, which means our solutions run on the latest technology. Our latest version is even faster and more efficient and better equips our customers with the right tools for the challenging and...
In all industries, the performance of supply chains are intrinsic to operational and financial success. To improve supply chain management, look no further than the implementation of technology-driven solutions and its benefits. Warehousing and stock management Customers expect instant stock...
Imagine how different sales and customer service would look if your business had instant access to customer information relevant sales documents at the click of a button, and all in a single view. Salespeople can finally view the latest client...
2020 has most likely forever reshaped the way in which we work and that includes the way in which businesses engage with their employees. Payroll software has always been important but even more so in these unusual times. It can...
Hiring plant, tools, machinery or equipment often provides better value than purchasing it outright. Here are five reasons why it makes sense. 1. Hiring equipment is more economical than buying Buying plant, tools or machinery and equipment can burden overheads,...
Having a proper business management or ERP system in place, is a topic that is no longer in question. Most business have realised the value of good software as the need for such solutions have escalated since the start of...
If you are a first-time store owner or just entering the retail space, you may be entirely new to the idea of implementing accounting, retail or business management software or even a point-of-sale (POS) system, for example. We look at...
During these trying and unusual times, it’s important for businesses to stretch what they have, to streamline operational processes and to make the most of their business management systems, especially if they have good systems in place. Having a good...
Technology innovations in the retail sector are changing the future businesses as we see it today, prompting SMEs to follow suit. We selected four tech trends for small to medium companies in the retail sector that are not only productive...
In the modern retail industry, a miscalculated business decision can bring about significant losses and damages, affecting market demand, customer service and profitability to name a few. This is why adopting a retail specific business management solution is more important...
In today's competitive retail market, mobile apps have become the go-to advantage to better serve customers as well as to streamline internal processes in a faster, and more efficient way....
The COVID pandemic has forced many retailers to advance their process of digital transformation or risk going out of business. In this brief blog, we focus on the importance of having the right underlying technology to support your growing retail...
The national lockdown we saw in 2020 has changed the way businesses handle their customer interactions - masks, sanitisers, Perspex screens, take-away service, contactless payments, ecommerce options, product deliveries and all the rest seem to be the new reality. It...
Running a business is not a small feat. And every aspect needs to be considered in how you manage any and all of your business’ processes, from employment to finances, technology and everything in between. That is why choosing to...
Customer expectations and behaviors are continuously changing and have changed even more so as a result of Covid-19. The impact of the current pandemic on people's daily lives have been massive, pushing online retail models to the forefront of the...
The coronavirus crisis and its social distancing effects have taught retailers that trading operations post-lockdown will require a different approach and that a reliable e-commerce system needs to be a part of that. A digital retail footprint is now essential...
It's fair to say that 2020 has created some unusual trading conditions for businesses. However, companies using SaaS have weathered the storm better than most - is it time you joined them? Software-as-a-Service or SaaS as it's more commonly known...
The current reality of living in South Africa is that we have to deal with loadshedding. And we will most likely be dealing with rolling blackouts for another eighteen months to come in order for maintenance on Eskom’s infrastructure to...
With everything going on, it seems the world is in a very strange place and there has been a lot of disruption. There appeared to have been plenty of disruptions even before Covid 19 with constant changes, technological developments, politics,...
Key performance indicators (KPI) are a quantifiable measure used to evaluate the success of a business by looking specifically at employees and departments in meeting key business objectives for performance. Therefore, the KPI reporting tools can collect all the KPI...
Given everything that’s going on since the outbreak of Covid-19, there is a lot of talk around a new way of life. This will probably be true for businesses as well. Businesses will have to work smarter and more efficiently...
Virtual reality (“VR”) has been around for a while now but has only in recent years become a bigger reality for consumers. While VR is being utilised mainly by the gaming world, other industries are beginning to explore the possibility...
There is a lot of talk about the technological concept of ‘The Cloud’ and most of us use it without even realising it. There are however still many misconceptions and misunderstandings about cloud services amongst small businesses and the uses...
Data has become critical for most business. However, it can be challenging to keep track of it all, especially when you are on the spot with your customers. You might need to have the info readily available when you are...
Security has always been top of mind for most retailers. There are ways to deal with this and a Point of Sale (POS) System can help. An integrated POS system can store big amounts of data which is very valuable...
Covid 19 has undoubtedly caused havoc in many areas and unfortunately a big impact can be seen within the economy and in many people’s lives. We cannot wait to see this end so we can find a new norm and...
With advancements in technology becoming more and more common, the need for the customer’s experience to become more digital, is greater than ever. Customers no longer want to have the hassle of having to deal with paperwork or for the...
Times are tough and there are many uncertainties given all that is going on in the world, but it will pass. Right now, all we can do is to look forward, to think ahead and to put some plans and...
The coronavirus has dominated headlines and the news since the beginning of 2020. Since the first cases of COVID-19 was confirmed in South Africa, businesses have been worried about the outbreak, the panic that comes with it and the after...
With the growth of the digital world, space and demand for online retail has opened up. And with technology booming at such a rapid rate, one would assume that online retail is growing with it and retail stores are going...
Transformation starts when we take action. It stands for change and goes way beyond just products and services… It revolutionises your offering and empowers businesses and people. In business, transformation allows for the re-alignment of people and systems. It eliminates...
Experiential retail has been around for many years, but it has not been the be-all and end-all with regards to brand preference. However, it is important to the Millennials and Gen Z’s. What is experiential retail? With the rise of...
As a small business without the budget of a larger enterprise, growing your business can be a daunting challenge. There are many tools that can help ease the stress and smoothen the process to assist in growing your business. A...
Brand loyalty is key to the success of any business; however, brand loyalty can make or break a retail business. Consumer’s need to resonate with your brand or admire it before they become loyal to your brand so brand loyalty...
Choosing a Point of Sale solution for your restaurant can be stressful as it is a long-term investment and a critical part of your customer service offering. Therefore, restaurant owners or managers need to think carefully about the solutions they...
E-commerce trading increases exponentially before and during the holiday periods, think of Easter, Valentine’s Day and the popular Black Friday promotions and Cyber Monday specials. Get prepared for the influx of customer orders with these online shopping tips. 1. Make...
Future-proof your retail business with a top-class high-quality ERP solution that keeps your operations integrated, well-organised, efficient and transparent. Here is some key functionality you should rely on to remain competitive in 2020 and beyond. Cloud Integration...
Great marketing strategies can benefit even the smallest of retailers with limited budgets. Focus on providing a seamless retail experience and excellent customer service by covering these efficient marketing strategies: Consider omnichannel marketing...
As the holiday season is in full swing, retailers and e-commerce businesses should be prepared for an influx of online orders and deliveries to customers. Ensure that all deliveries are resolved quickly and efficiently by optimising your delivery process. Manage...
Hospitality and restaurant environments require a dedicated management solution with dynamic functionality. The solution must handle multiple transactions, optimise staff efficiency, balance inventory, and maintain a competitive service offering. A POS system tailored for restaurant management can go beyond sales,...
The traditional retail industry is facing increasing pressure from online commerce and digital-driven consumer behaviour. Brick-and-mortar stores are feeling the impact of digital and the hype of automation and AI technologies. It’s time for physical retailers to benefit from in-store...
An electronic proof of delivery (ePOD) solution supports your product or service delivery process. It is instrumental in the fast resolution of most common delivery challenges, by improving the communication between drivers on-site and the office. Here are the main...
One way retailers can encourage repeat sales and create brand awareness at the same time is to offer loyalty programmes for customers. Loyalty programmes usually require businesses to have the right software in place which allows for value added services...
Retailers are continuously looking for ways to promote their brand and boost sales, especially with the festive year-end season in sight. Improve your retail experience with the following suggestions: 1. Grow Your Online Sales If you haven’t expanded beyond the...
Payroll software is essential to streamline HR operations and boost employee productivity in any industry. However, high staff turnover and poor management are often the case in the retail, hospitality or distribution markets. This requires a more focused approach to...
Cloud-based payroll software can assist with simplifying HR related processes, ensuring an efficient, accurate and hassle-free payroll experience. In this blog, we look at the main benefits this solution offers for HR management. Integrate HR data in one platform...
The main advantages of using POS software is the automation of sales operations, ease of use and to streamline processes. If your business is still taking the manual approach to stock tacking, invoicing, and various other transactions, a POS solution...
The retail industry is a fast-paced environment, which requires a business management solution that is flexible enough to adapt, easy enough to integrate and customisable as and where needed, even for the smallest of retailers. The latest trends in retail...
There are many ways to improve customer service in your retail operation, starting with the proper training of customer facing sales staff. However, retailers often overlook the real value that a well-chosen point of sale solution can add to your...
Retail ERP software has dramatically evolved in recent years since the classic on-premise software. These options use to be more popular amongst bigger businesses but these days there are options for businesses of all sizes. This even goes for ERP...
If you are a small or medium-sized retailer, you face the choice between investing in an enterprise-grade ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) solution and implementing small business software. Did you know that you can get an ERP solution that is tailored...
Retail management is a demanding business. Competing in today’s markets is becoming increasingly difficult for small and medium sized retailers without the marketing budgets and technological advantages of the larger enterprises. Specialist software solutions that are suitable for retailers provide...
Retail operations need to be complemented by a strong tech support system and high-quality back-end processes to ensure business transactions run smoothly. Having the right technology, data management and integrated systems in place goes a long way in satisfying customer...
Inventory management is an important feature that is included in most systems, enabling the management and control of stock. However, this process can get difficult, time-consuming and complex. This is why a suitable POS system should make provisions for your...
The right Point-of-Sale system or POS is a vital component of your retail business. It not only helps your customers pay for their purchases but can simplify your business operations and provide you with key data to make more informed...
If you are a local builder’s trader, you know how difficult it is to compete with the more established merchants, especially those with a national footprint, multiple locations and franchises as well as a large, diverse customer base. How can...
As the popularity of emerging digital technologies increases, so does the face of the retail and distribution industry. While digital transformation has become an important aspect for business who want to keep up and continue to grow in this environment,...
As the retail landscape changes and becomes more technology-focused, it has become increasingly important for retail businesses to keep on track with the various trends that dictate the trajectory of industry. If you own or are responsible for local retail...
Customer demand has become very complex and very challenging. Previously, distributors could base their supply on the basics of simply supplying products and fulfilling a need for certain products but today the landscape is vastly different. There are many factors...
Cloud-based services have become the norm for many businesses around the world. Not only is it a safer option as it mitigates many risks, but it has also become a universal signal that a business has moved on to the...
A changing economy means that businesses are having to focus more on making the most of what they have and to be cost conscious. This has a big effect on not only small purchases but even more so on the...
Today, more than ever before, consumers and businesses alike are becoming more conscious about the environment and the role they can play to become more environmentally friendly. For example, many restaurants the world over have started using paper or biodegradable...
Data – a word that has been thrown around a lot but all for a very good reason. Today, most businesses can’t or shouldn’t operate without really evaluating their data, and those who have the skills to interpret it and...
Stock management, for any retail business, is a crucial building block to success. Without it, organisations would struggle to operate optimally and face the risk of complete failure. Today, most large organisations have transitioned to automated stock management systems that...
In many cases, enterprise resource planning (ERP) software forms the basis for a company’s infrastructure and operations. Without it, organisations can quickly fall apart due to their dependency on the system. However, in the event for ERP failure, it is...
It can be easy to feel overwhelmed at work when your task list is never-ending, your clients have a perpetual stream of requests, and there is no end to the emails in your inbox. This is particularly true for business...
From load-shedding to labour strikes, living in South Africa poses a number of challenges for retailers. However, as our social climate changes, we adapt to new ways of doing business. Lately, South Africa has been struck with more waves of...
The potential from using advanced data management applications is enormous. Historically, the value of a business focussed mostly on the health of the most recent balance sheet. Essentially accountants could, at a glance, determine asset strengths and liability weaknesses, then...
If you run a retail business, there is no denying the fact that you are accustomed to a variety of challenges. However, with a high-quality POS system, you can mitigate these challenges and turn them into opportunities for improvement. Let’s...
Distributors within the retail sector, require a fair amount of business planning in order to thrive and not just survive. With a variety of challenges facing the industry as a whole, Distributors require business solutions that will allow them to...
The first generation to grow up with uninterrupted access to technology and information are the Millennials. Millennials are perceived as a tough market to understand which often translates into the workplace. Employers are not sure how to navigate the needs...
Contrary to popular belief, retail management is not a simple job that allows customers to be right all the time. Instead, retail management can determine whether or not a retail business closes its door; whether or not it retains its...
The retail industry, the world over, is a tough vertical that often needs refinement in terms of management due to the fast-paced change that occurs within short periods of time. Very often, the success of a retail outlet lies in...
There is no denying the fact that data makes the world go ‘round and managing your business’ data and various parts of information in a transparent, organised, integrated and effective manner is key. One of the best ways to ensure...
Enterprise Resource Planning helps businesses make better decisions, improves productivity, mitigates various risks, and assists in reducing costs. Not every small business has an implemented, water-tight ERP strategy though. If you are looking to scale your business, an ERP strategy...
With the festive season in full-swing, retail businesses are looking for various ways in which to win over their most complicated shoppers. From the big spenders to budget-conscious, it is important to cater to all shopping styles. However, there is...
Shopping cart abandonment can lead to major concerns for retail businesses, especially when they experience them in high levels. Considering the fact that at least 50% of all carts are abandoned during the online shopping cycle, it’s important that retailers...
When it comes to managing and running a business, it’s tough for decision makers to ignore the various buzzwords that become part of our everyday vocabulary. From Y2K and cryptocurrency to digital transformation, trends come and go. However, how do...
From encouraging the loyalty of existing customers to encouraging the loyalty of new customers, a loyalty programme can give a retail business a significant boost in both awareness and turnover. If you are thinking about implementing a loyalty programme but...
ERP, or enterprise resource planning, is a smart solution for small to medium businesses that are looking to improve their internal processes, perfect their time management, increase output, and maximise available resources. If you are looking for the right kind...
With the festive season around the corner, it’s important to consider the general economic climate of the country in order to deep-dive into the various ways in which to best serve your customers. Due to volatile economic fluctuations throughout the...
Did you know that, for many businesses, festive season sales account for up to 30 percent of annual sales? In South Africa, in a volatile economic climate, this statistic means a significant portion of income comes from two months’ of...
From the technology on your phone to completing a transaction via internet banking, cloud computing is a major part of our everyday lives, and is quickly becoming the norm as more businesses transition to cloud-based computing in an effort to...
Are you looking to become a reseller of a product or service? The reseller dropship business model is not only affordable, but also it is the ideal model for entrepreneurs who are looking to branch out in the retail space....
Like any business best practice, payroll management is constantly evolving which means that organisations need to keep up to date with the latest changes and modifications in real time. The chances are high that, in your company’s payroll evolution, you...
Looking for reasons to automate your business? How about because you’re looking to boost your bottom line by implementing a POS system that will change the way in which you do business? When it comes to finding high-quality business solutions...
When it comes to best business practice, it’s difficult to escape the importance of an ERP solution, especially considering its various benefits. If you’re looking at improving your approach to your existing ERP solution, take a look at these ERP...
There is no denying the fact that, whether you’re opening your first retail store or are a seasoned store owner, a reliable and integrated POS system is a life changing tool. Oftentimes, a POS solution can mean success or failure...
If there ever was a perfect example of a business with a large surplus of stock, it would be a tyre dealership. While all businesses can benefit from regular and accurate stock management, the perks of stock management and efficient...
When it comes to the highly competitive world of restaurants, one way in which to differentiate the good from the best is through their business practice and customer service. Very often, restaurants that identify as the best have a one...
For software resellers, the secret to success lies in the collective power of two companies – the reseller itself, and the organisation. A strong combination of expertise, engagement, and management results in almost guaranteed success. However, it is important for...
A reliable point-of-sale (POS) system is one of the most important business tools for any small and medium-sized businesses, especially when carrying a large amount of stock. Not only does point-of-sale software help with efficient stock management, but it also...
When it comes to an organisation’s success, a selection of reliable business solutions make up a business leader’s toolkit. One of these essential business solutions is quality payroll software that can assist HR practitioners streamline various tasks....
Running your own business can often mean a monotonous list of things to do and people to call. We’ll admit that this can be tough, and can often result in business owners losing sight of the bigger picture. While many...
When it comes to DIY, everyone is an expert, and when it comes to shopping for home improvement supplies, many customers believe that a simple product description is not good enough; they need a more tangible way in which to...
Unsolicited client feedback is never easy to stomach, especially if it’s made public. However, if you can properly manage client criticism – in whatever form – the chances are high that unsatisfied customers will give you a second chance and...
From 2012 to 2013, the Association of Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) reported that fraudulent life insurance claims increased from R700 million to R800 million in a one-year period. Recent corruption cases have rocked South Africa, with the estimated...
