Forecourts leading with modern EDGEPoS technology reveal the benefits they reap
As operational business costs increase in response the many external forces currently at play, forecourt retailers face a growing number of challenges. However investing in smart retail solutions can provide actionable insights that drive efficienies and ultimately sales.
Drummond Miller of Miller’s Keystore in Fordel, Scotland was looking for a fully integrated system to draw promotions down from their wholesaler JW Filshill to their EPOS system, without having to manually key in information. When they took on Henderson Technology’s EDGEPoS system as their IT supplier in 2022, Miller says that unlike their previous provider, EDGEPoS lets them do this plus so much more.
EPOS journey
“My father started the business in 1978, as an agricultural merchant,” says Miller. ”In the late 80’s the petrol station came up for sale, and being an entrepreneur, he jumped at the chance of buying it.
”Since then, we’ve had quite a few developments. The shop was knocked down and rebuilt in the early 2000’s and in the last few years we have rebranded to Miller’s Keystore. The move to Henderson Technology this year has allowed our business to truly update.”
“For example, EDGEPoS gives us an advanced reporting function. Our earlier system was manual and laborious, and I had to wait for my manager to complete spreadsheets and email them over to me every day. With EDGEPoS the reports are there on the back office and scheduled to be in my email inbox every day at a specific time, with no work needed at all from my manager. This has been a huge help and time saving.”
Retail technology from Henderson Technology seamlessly integrates with onsite systems to offer future-proof, innovative and forward-thinking solutions. And this can prove transformational for some businesses.
“The margin control on EDGEPoS is second to none,” continues Miller. ”Scheduled reports are emailed to me, and I can raise any concerns in the weekly meeting with staff, with plenty of time to review and implement strategies.
“Fuel integration is also completely seamless as EDGEPoS integrates with all fuel cards and my current EFT card provider for ESSO.”
Prioritising install and after care experience
Miller says the install was far easier than he had anticipated, with the team in and out in less than a day with no real disruption. ”From an operational point of view,” says Miller. “The cashiers found the transition easy.”
Henderson Technology conducted individualised training with team members. “The support is fantastic,” says Miller. “If your current system is old, then I would recommend EDGEPoS to any retailer. Getting daily reports allows me to be out of the business but have full visibility of what is going on instore. Henderson Technology has also given me access to EDGEPoS Analytics, so I am looking forward to getting to grips with this functionality.
“Henderson Technology are definite forward thinkers when it comes to adding developments and products to the EDGEPoS system. As we become more confident with the system, we are going to introduce Self-Checkout and look at ESELs for the forecourt. Costs are going up as we all know, so I am looking at these products to save some money within the store.”
Fuel functionality
Another forecourt retailer to install the EDGEPoS system onsite is Manpreet Bawa from Burnpark Service Station in Kilmarnock. He fronts Bawa Group and has a wealth of experience in using EPOS systems and made the decision to install EDGEPoS into his Gulf and Premier branded store, with the EDGEPoS Go Live in May last year.
Immediately upon installation Bawa commented on the fuel functionality of the system: “When we took over the store it had an EPOS system, but we found it hard to work with. It took us four attempts to find the system that would do what we needed it to do.
“We are delighted with the functionality of EDGEPoS. It has brilliant features I have not seen in any other system. It allows us to be able to refund a fuel transaction instantly right back onto the existing pump it came from. A simple refund function and it appears back on the till. On any system I have used in the past this has been a laborious exercise on the back office, often resulting in us having to put up with wrong wet stock reports.
Wetstock management
“Over the years we found it hard to find a system which can easily do our wetstock management, instead of having to pay an outside company to do it. Henderson Technology has reduced the cost when it comes to wet stock management. We used to have to do it every day. Now we do it once or twice a week and the fuel stock is always perfect to within a litre.
“It has been great working with Henderson Technology. They listen to retailers and work with us to make sure our needs are met,” he added.
Innovative retail technology
EDGEPoS is a live system, which means all updates are instant and automatic. Self-populating PLUs make for speedier transaction, with the top 15 PLUs automatically populating on the till based on the up-to-date sales going through that till.
EDGEPoS allows forecourt retailers like Miller’s Keystore to offer their own deals and promotions on the system. Articles can be included in as many promotions as needed, and promotions can even be set to run at certain times which begin automatically on the till and conclude at the designated time that it is pre-set. This caters for lunch time deals, weekend deals, breakfast deals, etc. instore.
When it comes to paying for a transaction, EDGEPoS allows multiple tender options between cash, card, and local accounts. All No Means to Pay and Drive Offs are recorded at the till, so there is no need to keep separate logbooks.
Advanced Age Checking is built into EDGEPoS, allowing the cashier to refuse a sale, and all data is recorded on the back office, giving instant access through the reports for local authority spot checks.
Reduce costs with Henderson Technology
Henderson Technology is one of the largest EPOS suppliers in UK with over 840 sites installed globally. EDGEPoS is an award-winning EPOS system, designed by retailers, specifically for the convenience and fuel forecourt market.
For more information visit www.henderson.technology today
