Kicking & Screaming

[Roboframer]

Into the 21st century.

Getting sooooooooooooooooooo close to a computer in the shop.

So - tell me, if I get all POS an' stuff geared up and it crashes - what happens?

[Bill Henry]

Well, what happens when your quill breaks? You whittle another nib, that’s what.

With a POS and/or other accounting system, back up early and often. While you are waiting for it to resurrect itself, go back to your tried and true, pencil and paper entry system. When your computer finally stops hiccoughing, transfer that hard copy data into the system.

I don't have a POS, but all of my pricing spreadsheets, customer database, bookkeeping records, etc. gets backed up every Saturday – without fail. Regular backups have saved my sorry derrière more than once.

[prospero]

External HDs are great for data bacup. Nowadays you can get enormous capacity ones for not too many pennies. Plus you can unplug them and take them eslewhere to another PC. Or lock them in a safe.

[kev@frames]

Into the 21st century.

Getting sooooooooooooooooooo close to a computer in the shop.

So - tell me, if I get all POS an' stuff geared up and it crashes - what happens?

It doesn't crash, ever. Honest. One of our shop computers has not been switched off or rebooted since last december (8 months) -barring power cuts, and the only thing thats on it is a mail responer programme and estlite, a screensaver, and with AVG and ZoneAlarm on windows XP pro.

The other great thing about the POS systems -whichever one you have- is that all the data is very easy to back up, so a crash or drive failure (worst scenario) is no big deal at all.

You can also use the shop computer with a ten quid webcam for CCTV/security purposes, and as a "slideshow" running 24/7 for added customer interest.

You dont even need a very high spec (eg expensive) computer in a shop environment, as its mainly "office" type stuff. Its also very useful for browsing suppliers web sites for sourcing mouldings etc when you are in one of those "can you match this" scenarios.

[Roboframer]

Yeah, well, I have a problem - and a big one, putting me off getting a computer in the shop.

It won't be much use without internet access and I'm going to need counselling before I'd spend all day between here and TFG - which is where I spend most part of my afternoons off!

[stephen34]

Hi John
Why would you want internet in the shop? Can waste enough time at home.
I bought a used computer for 50 quid including big HP monitor. Added my old laser printer and BBEst. Expenses on Excel and Customer/sales info on Access. Backup to a pen drive and transfer to the home machine. Sales also have the paper invoice.
I also use the moulding table function in BBEst and enter everything manually. Each moulding chevron has the manufactures code on it. This is duplicated in the moulding table along with my actual price per metre (cost plus VAT plus delivery). Bit of a pain to set up but after that only need to update for price changes or if I add another moulding.
I think it is correct what people say, if the computer says the cost is this much it must be true!

[summer-data]

I bought a laptop for my shop and i couldn't live without it. I use it for bespoke canvasses, buying stock, sourcing stock,everything! It frees up so much of my time at home. Also some customers prefer to be contacted via e-mail when work is ready, saves me money and is less intrusive to them. I always make sure that all important info is backed up to a pen drive, i manufacture childrens canvasses so if my lap top broke or was stolen i'd be lost i keep my pen drive seperate from the lap top so all my important stuff is safe

[Framer Dave]

Back up early and often.

Most POS systems I know of will allow you to print of hard copies of your pricing tables as a manual backup. You can keep these in a handy file in case of computer or power failure to write up tickets by hand. They're also handy for quick lookups, as when someone rings for the price of a lite of glass YxZ mm and someone else is busy writing up an order already.

[kev@frames]

we were using estlite for a year on a non-internet computer with no problems. You can load your estlite updates onto a stick (or CD, or camera card or whatever is handy) if you want from your home computer and just copy it over as required at your leisure.

Actually since we have had the internet in the shop, apart from suzi and staff being able to answer emails, and internet radio, we could happily live without it (the internet, not estlite). It can waste your time - forums, ebay, cricket results, you-tube.....

If you do get a computer in the shop, one tip I can pass on is make sure its a nice quiet one, or it'll drive you mad.

[Bill Henry]

While I could probably live without the internet in the shop, I don’t want to.

It gives me a feeling that I’m not isolated. Certainly the Framers Forum and The Grumble can be a great time sink, but I feel like I’m part of and connected to the picture framing community. It’s nice to know that I’m not alone and can share thoughts and get problems solved by those more knowledgeable than me.

That, and the fact that I rely heavily on resources that are available virtually instantaneously. We frequently get requests from customers who are looking for an appraiser, or a conservator, or need a weird hanging system. It makes me look good when I can come up with an answer quickly.

I’m getting very dependent on my e-mail, too.