Computer Applications Unlimited, Inc.

The whole idea of retail screams, "Fast!" And since many HME providers have recently focused more on retail potential, let’s see how efficient your retail operation can be.

To examine the process, however, we actually need to slow it down, so we’ll use a series of posts and keep them in brief, digestible fashion.

Let’s begin with the most important part of the transaction: the customer.

Using our Web Edition HME software as an example, a customer named "Cash, Sale" defaults when you open the Cash Register page. Even if it’s a one-time customer, you still need to account for the revenue generated and the cash balance in the drawer.

Chances are great, however, that you will want to know who your retail customer is. That’s why you should be able to quickly select an existing customer (by name — even first name — or by telephone number) and add a new customer’s basic demographics.

With that precious data at your fingertips, you can:

• always know who (and what demographic) is buying what products;
• have a history of each customer’s purchases at your fingertips; and,
• market to each of those segments (by Zip Code, product, product category, birthday, etc.) to promote additional retail sales.

Send them your newsletter, Email healthy tips, mail birthday cards with a limited time retail discount as your gift. Now, you’re building relationships with your customers.

We’ll continue with more on express retail sales next time.