About
I’m Phill Bowden and I am an independent consultant specialising in technology and infrastructure support for the retail, hospitality and leisure industries. I advise on the correct solution based on client needs and I have no affiliation to any Epos Vendor.
One aspect of my work involves advising clients on the “best of breed” solution by identifying and putting together a shortlist of vendors based on a RFI (Request for Information) or RFP (Request for Proposal) that is created following client discussions. I then write and control the Tender process
Another aspect of my work is involved with assisting clients who are experiencing difficulty in implementing an Epos Now Software solution. In many cases this involves the integration of Stock Control and processes around that.
HELP IN IMPLEMENTING EPOS NOW SOFTWARE SOLUTION
Epos Now software is a very stable and good solution for many types of business, both in Hospitality and Retail environments. It is promoted as a “low cost” out-of-the box solution and Epos Now provide support to assist in the setting-up process remotely.
However, a certain amount of understanding of how Epos is configured is of benefit and not all Epos Now customers would have that. This is particularly relevant when Stock Control is involved or if it is a multi-site solution.
This is were I can help in not only advising but physically helping in setting up the constituent parts to make a working solution. Products, categories, suppliers etc and, in the case of Hospitality and some aspects of Retail, composite products like recipes.
Recently I assisted Sunnyside Rural Trust limited in getting their Epos Now Point of Sale integrated into Stock Control with Purchase Order Processing. They had not managed after several attempts over 3 years to integrate stock. Their business involved Retail Shop, Cafe and Garden Plants and they are Multi Site with 4 locations. After a planning the project I amended the product items to be stock control ready, updated the Epos Point of Sale, installed a new Chip & Pin solution as well as a Mobile Point of Sale for their market stall. Now they are going forward with Purchase Order Processing, Transfers & Deliveries with simplified automatic Stock Count on a mobile phone.
Some clients require a more practical approach which could include the installation or re-configuration of software. This was the case of the Nevis Centre, a very large leisure centre complex in Fort William, it consisted of identifying configuration problems with Epos Now software. Liaising with “Epos Now” before correcting the software configuration and retraining.
Services
The Business Proposition is:
- The creation of documentation for assessing the best solution
- The management and control of the assessment process
- Assisting Project management during the implementation process
- Assisting implementation of Software and Hardware Support
Having been involved in several successful implementations I understand the importance and necessity of working in partnership with client’s Professional Services Team. I also understand the value of good relations with potential vendors during the purchase cycle. With every project I am involved in I hope to bring that balance with me. Successful implementations depend on good communication and co-operation between all parties.
Expertise
Hardware & Software
chip & pin
self checkout
mobile pos
Self-edge labelling
smart card
visual merchandising
radio frequency id
multi channel marketing
cash management
case studies
Royal holloway Students Union
Completed tender document for RHSU inclusive of Retail Store, off-site Public House, Two Nightclub Venues, Events and Pop-up Venues along with a restaurant/cafe. Following successful Vendor selection acted on behalf of RHSU as their Project Manager during install.
Wales millennium centre
At the request of the Wales Millennium Center in Cardiff, I wrote an Epos and Stock Control Tender for a complete Cashless revenue solution with Mobile Phone Ordering application.
I managed the process of selecting key Vendors and designed demonstration script and scoring sheets to ensure effective selection process. Finally, I advised on integration into existing packages and on Merchant Service provider for Chip and Pin processing.
Mobile Phone Ordering App
Wales Millenium Centre required a mobile phone ordering app that interfaced into the chosen Epos Provider. I sourced the product and oversaw the configuration and integration. Orders for interval drinks and at table can now be completed by use of customer phones and QR Barcode scanning
Tesco
Some clients have very specific needs and thus include specific project work.
A requirement from TESCO was to look at consolidating all the ID and “Sign-on Cards” their staff currently held into a “one-card solution”.
Following substantial research and analysis I produced a white paper for “best of breed” solution with a return on investment proposal.
Great Western railways
For Great Western Railways (GWR) I assisted in putting together an ITT for the replacement of Epos on over 200 trains.
In addition to Epos the project involved integration with various catering suppliers as well as defining a workable chip & pin strategy in a mobile environment
For Great Western Railways (GWR) I assisted in putting together an ITT for the replacement of Epos on over 200 trains.
In addition to Epos the project involved integration with various catering suppliers as well as defining a workable chip & pin strategy in a mobile environment
Microsoft
A Microsoft Dynamics partner, required assistance on setting up a distribution channel in the UK. For that I devised a sequence of marketing tools and, in co-operation with Microsoft in the UK, launched the product at a number of UK roadshows. See video below:
The nevis center
Some clients require a more practical approach which could include the installation or re-configuration of software. This was the case of the Nevis Center, a very large leisure centre complex in Fort William, it consisted of identifying configuration problems with “Epos Now” software. Liaising with “Epos Now” before correcting the software and retraining.
Baxter Storey
An ITT involvement was assisting Baxter Storey – a large contract caterer – to identify functionality requirements for an enterprise POS Solution as well as possible suppliers. I then produced a Tender Document for selection of an Epos solution. Selected suppliers and wrote demonstration scripts along with scoring cards before assisting in the final selection.
Partners & clients
CONTACT
Thank you for visiting my website and should you want further discussion on either creating a Tender Document or assistance with Epos Now software then please call me on 07483 856788 or email me at phillip@eposconsultantpb.com