software

[scub]

Currently don't run any software other than Simply Accounting, what options are out there for software that will run my T-Max, track tans and inventory but also give me same accounting abilities that Simply does? Lost in computer land!!!!

[Andy]

scub, you are unlikely to find any software related to the Tanning Industry that provides both control and tracking of your Clients and Tanning Business management AS WELL AS the same accounting abilities as provided by Simply.

Software Packages like Helios, Suntouch, SunLync, Breeze, Exhale, and others are Vertical Market Software Applications that address the unique needs of the Tanning Salon Operator.

They provide Client Management of Packages, Memberships purchased and used together with the sale and tracking of products. They provide the appropriate management reports and functions to manage your Client and Business operation within your Tanning locations ... for them to also perform the Accounting, Payables and Payroll function is illogical when programs like Simply, Quickbooks, etc are available and proven to meet that need.

It would be nice if some of the Tanning Software programs allowed for export of Sales, Cost of Sales, Time Card data to a format that could then be imported into these standard accounting applications ... interesting concept for the NEXT GENERATION of software for the Tanning Industry.

There are also other applications that address generic salon operations including gyms and fitness clubs, the problem here for Tanning Salon Operators, is that they do not commonly include the interface controls required to handle the timer manager (such as TMax).

All the best, hope this helps ...


_________________

Andy Thompson
ACT Business Solutions
Toll-Free 877-777-6717
andy@atso.ca
ACT Help Center [ This Message was edited by: Andy @ ATSO.ca on 2003-02-04 10:40 ]

[scub]

Thanks Andy, wife and I are currently in battle over this, I want control for salons and she wants control for her accounting needs. I see alot of issues on here about Helios, is it that it is more popular than the rest you listed or is it really that bad?

[Andy]

Based on my UNOFFICAL take on the software used within the Tanning industry, I believe just over 50% of computerized salons use HELIOS, about 25% use Suntouch and the others make up the other about 20%.

Beside of my experience with Helios over the last 5+ years the majority of posts in this forum related to Helios ... users know I am here and post questions when they need help.

This is the most open of forums and I call them the way I see them and my hope is that Helios will/do react to the issue we bring forward for the betterment of the product for all users.

I have said often and I will say again, dispite the issues, and believe me ALL SOFTWARE has issues ... HELIOS is the most flexible and provides the best controls compared to other software products within this industry.

They all have their strenghtens and their weaknesses. V9 has been the BEST release of Helios since V6 (DOS) and evolved from V8 with much stability. The new V10 will require some time to get to that level of stability for a number of reasons ... and the main issues there related to reporting.

Helios is a little more complicated to initially get up and running, but the POS functions that your Cashiers/Tanning Consultants use is crisp and quick ... fewest keystrokes to bring up a client, sell them a product or service and put them in a bed ... compared to the primary competitive software ... and that for me has always been the primary test of GOOD POS Software. The set up is one thing, and that is a primary area of the services I provide ... that happens once for the most part ... while the Cashier POS activity that happens MANY times a day.

Where in Ontario, I am in London ... would be pleased to discuss being of service.

Hope this helps, all the best ...

PS: you and your wife are both right ... but share this with her, if you do not CONTROL the day to day, minute to minute business of running and promoting the activity in your salon you will not have nearly as much to Account for ... food for thought


_________________

Andy Thompson
ACT Business Solutions
Toll-Free 877-777-6717
andy@atso.ca
ACT Help Center [ This Message was edited by: Andy @ ATSO.ca on 2003-02-04 11:16 ]

[Andy]

You stated:

Quote:I want control for salons

I also represent and do the initial install of Salon Net from Solarsoft ... Networking Software that works on top of the Helios POS system to provide Data Replication between salons together will a POWERFUL Web-Based Reporting Suite that allows the Salon Owner to access consolidated or by location reports (predesigned and custom) from any point with access to the Internet ... including that sandy beach far to the south ... lol