Tilemania, a major importer and retailer of ceramic tiles, mosaics and porcelain, has implemented advanced PoS software from Nisyst, running on Epson's MR-800 modular touchscreen systems, in order to address issues of stock control, product availability and customer service arising from its expansion.

"We needed an EPoS solution which could provide instant access to inventory figures to enable us to be sure of exactly what stock we had and where. It was imperative that it would help us streamline the running of the company and so make us more efficient," said Steve Charman, Tilemania's financial controller.  "We also recognised that enabling faster transactions at the PoS was important in achieving these goals."

Requiring an EPoS system which could handle the demands of the DIY home improvement market, Tilemania evaluated all the available options and selected a solution from retail specialist Nisyst, which comprised its NPoS software and Epson's MR-800 modular touchscreen terminal.

"A touchscreen system was the way forward for us. Having seen them at work in busy petrol stations, it gave us confidence that if they could cope with that, they could cope with anything," explained Steve. "As our staff hadn't used an EPoS system before, it was important that it should be very user-friendly. Epson's MR-800 fitted the bill perfectly. Being modular, if offers the opportunity to hide the processor away under the counter out of harms way, making better use of the space."

Beginning with a pilot at Tilemania's Glasgow and Motherwell stores and Walthamstow warehouse, the solution was rolled out to the remaining stores two months later. "We have a solution which totally meets our needs and has all the functionality we require. With a proper system in place, we have been able to improve many areas of the business. For example, with an accurate measure of stock, we have been able to tighten up security as we have full stock visibility," said Steve. "Epson's MR-800 gives our stores a very modern look and has been received very well by the staff. In the future, we will be looking to add further terminals to our busy stores to enable us to enhance the customer experience even more."

Nisyst has also developed the system to enable Tilemania's staff to serve customers on the move. With a Wi-Fi enabled, handheld device, staff are able to walk around the store with the customer to build a 'short-list', performing instant quotes, checking availability, and suggesting complimentary products. Once complete, the information is sent wirelessly to Epson's MR-800 to conclude the transaction. Alternatively, with the addition of a wireless printer, the information can be printed for the customer to take away for consideration.

"Offering customers this kind of service is becoming increasingly popular across many retail sectors," said Dave Chunilal, technical director at Nisyst. "Not only does it enable greater efficiency, for example, by providing the ability to check inventory remotely, but it also allows retailers to deliver a more personalised and valuable experience in-store."