In recent years the booming housing market has been great news for the construction industry as new-build and renovations projects have taken off around the country. Inevitably, it’s also proved a busy time for the builders merchants who supply the industry.

Take Middlesex-based PJ Scott and Sons, for example. Established in 1926, the family-owned business has gone from strength to strength in recent years, investing in a new 14,000ft2 warehouse, shop and office building and establishing new product lines. To support this level of expansion, the company recognised it would need a more advanced retail IT system which would improve management reporting, enhance efficiency and reduce overheads.

Recommended, supplied and supported by PJ Scott's existing IT provider, 4S, the company's new EPoS solution combines software from Oxfordshire-based Advanced PayPoint Solutions (APS), running on five Epson touchscreen Intelligent Registers (IR). It is fully integrated with the company's back office SAGE accounting system, ensuring that PJ Scott can access valuable management information instantly, and make stock purchasing decisions quickly and easily, based on accurate and up-to-date information.

At the point of sale, the combination of easy-to-use software and the IR's powerful processor has helped PJ Scott to enhance customer service and minimise queues, thanks to faster transaction times, automated discount calculations and rapid processing of credit and debit cards. Comprehensive product information is available at the counter so that staff can advise retail and trade customers on the right materials for the job. And most importantly, the system has enabled the company to discontinue its outdated customer ordering system.

"Previously, whenever a customer placed an order with us, we had to issue them with a hand-written docket to present when they came to collect their goods," explained Operations Director, Tim Scott. "Besides being inefficient, the system was also open to abuse. The solution provided by 4S has allowed us to automate the order origination process so that tracking stock is much easier than before, helping us to minimise shrinkage."

"What's more, when it comes to processing transactions, the IR terminals are twice as fast as our previous system, enabling us to significantly increase customer turnover," he concluded.

For further information contact
Nicholas Fraser, APS Tel: 0870 750 1780.