QuickBooks Point of Sale Powered by Revel (QBPOS-Revel) had some pretty significant revisions with this last release, and I wanted to update the community on some of the major changes, as well as what I think they mean.
Revel is really getting serious about making this product more Retail friendly. The addition of tag printing from the back end console, including making it available at the receiving workflow, and the quick add item features, really help, but as I will describe later, it is still a work in progress.
First of all, there have been improvements in the navigation for multiple establishments (Revel’s name for a separate stores). Rather than picking from a list at the top and not being able to anything but pick, there is now a slide out bar on the side.
QBPOS-Revel
Revel Update figure 1
The folder listing the Sales Rep Template is referred to as a Division, but note the addition of Groups (at the bottom of the above figure). While an establishment can only be part of one Division, you can have an establishment in more than one group for management purposes. The whole concept creates improvement to the capability of the Enterprise Management Console. For example, If you choose Sale Rep Template (which can be renamed by right clicking in windows) you can get reporting on the entire list of establishments. Additionally, you can change prices, discounts and lock functions globally. For those that have clients with a number of stores, these are welcome changes.
On the Retail side, you can now produce a Return document (RMA) that takes items out of inventory and provides a credit memo. This was a huge gap in the retail offering.
QBPOS-Revel also finally offers tag printing on the Web console. Since this is where you created Purchase Orders and received inventory, this is a much needed improvement. BUT and it is a big BUT, you can only print tags to a Dynamo label printer. I find that truly strange given that QBPOS-Revel supports the Zebra LP2824 connected to the IPad, but not the Web Console. Given the need to print hang tags, jewelry tags, etc, I find it odd that QBPOS-Revel didn’t choose to make their tag printing from the back end compatible with their own supported printer, or better yet, the thousands of LP2824 USB printers that are already being used by QuickBooks POS Desktop users. They had over a year and one half to get it right and it is still a miss.
For Products, there are two improvements, the first is when you choose the Add New Product Button, you will have a choice between Quick and Advanced. The Quick gives you a very simple screen with just the product basics.
Revel Update figure 2
Choosing Advanced, gives you options and there are a TON, most of none the standard retailer will use.
Revel Update figure 3
The second Products-related improvement is found within the Purchase Order Creation process, the create new item brings up the Quick create item instead of a secondary window and allows you to add the item as part of the PO workflow. While this is a step in the right direction, it could still stand improvement, but a step in the right. During my testing, I found it to have a glitch here and there. Unfortunately, there is still no support for a true matrixed inventory. What I mean by matrix is I have the same blouse in 5 colors and sizes. In QuickBooks Point of Sale Desktop matrixed inventory was called a style and the 25 items (5 colors X 5 sizes) were all linked together and able to be used as a style group during the order process. QBPOS-Revel has a field for Matrix Inventory details, but it is not the same. It is really used for menu creation on the iPad, and not as part of inventory management.
So all in all, we are moving in the right direction, we are just not complete there yet. My recommendation is that for the hospitality industry, QBPOS-Revel is a great solution; but for retailers, you really need to consider a number of factors before recommending QBPOS-Revel. We would be more than happy to offer any help to you and your clients if you desire.
About the Author: Insightful Accountant Contributing Authority William S. English is President of English Management Solutions, Inc., and a recognized expert in Point of Sale products including QuickBooks Point-of-Sale and QuickBooks Point-of-Sale for iPad powered by Revel Systems.