Some Screen shots: 

Customer Browser With Sample Drop-down Menu: This is the main working window where operators can serve customers by just pressing the enter key on the customer to be served to start the transacting process. Customers records can also be created or maintained through this window. A cash customer can also be created for casual retail transactions. RAPS is very keyboard friendly e.g. by depressing the ‘A’ key the operator can enter a customers accounting transaction history or by depressing the ‘M’ key the operator can enter a memo for the customer being highlighted…there are other keys that can be depressed to perform other powerful customer functions. Note that functions can be configured to be password protected.

Note: Color-coding is used to indicate that a customer is in debt or has credits due to them. I.e. green is used to indicate that a credit is due. Rose color is used to indicate if a customer has an outstanding balance, if the surname in the customer browser is highlighted in a rose color then this indicates that the customer is blacklisted by the store. Color is used to guide the operator with customer interaction. Searching for a customer can be achieved by entering the: last-name/surname, account number, first-name, ID number or work/Cell/mobile telephone number… refer to the Search for customer by grouping buttons. The Browser will then position itself  and highlight  the customer that satisfies the search criteria or the closes fit.

Note: The STATUS QUICK entry will give the price and floor location of where to find a stock item when a stock number is scanned or entered. If a customer asks for a product by a key word e.g. something with the word ‘planet’ then just depress the letter ‘T’ to get into the catalogue window  followed by the letter ‘W’ to get into the keyword search function where ‘Planet’ is typed in then all the stock with the word ‘Planet’ will appear. Words or phrases can be used within this function.

Note: The stores logo can also be displayed on this main window promoting the store to both management and staff.

Note: For a quick start and understanding of transacting  with a list of fundamental reports to run a business; then click on the help button found on the customer browser above. Note you must have downloaded and installed RAPS to do this.

The operator satisfied with the client being highlighted can then press the enter key to start the rental and retail transacting process that follows:

Customer Rental & Retail Transactions:

Note: The above example is composed of several related windows all free floating on main customer account window allowing the operator to pull into view important information when required. Also notice the various buttons that allow the operator to interact with the customer while in the rental and retail process e.g. a customer can ask about the availability of a movie for the weekend and the operator can help by depressing the Title button and then even book the movie for the customer… and then carry on selling and renting. The operator is also free to click on the customer address details and change them while in this process. The rental and retail process has been designed to allow the operator to be very interactive with a customer. In fact many customers can be opened up at the same time and be served as their whims change.

Note: Barcode scanning of retail/sell-thru items is also supported.

Note: RAPS can be configured to show and calculate the General Sales Tax for countries using the GST tax system e.g. USA.

Note: Expanding the return date of rental items will mark-up the daily price by the number of days a rental item is taken. Not true for special club memberships that have already been preconfigured with the number of keep days.

Note: The above transaction entry window is sensitive to the type of stock items being entered and applies the necessary rules required for processing without operator intervention. I.e. retail, rentals and club membership sales.

Catalogue Browser: The following catalogue browser allows operators and management to maintain five different types of stock items that can be sold or rented through the above rental and sell-thru voucher window:

1.      Rental

2.      Retail

3.      Points/Units club membership configurations

4.      VIP club membership configurations e.g. rent 2 and then rent two more once the first two are returned without attracting late fees. A monthly fee is charged for this type of club membership allowing the customer to rent/hire as they wish without being frustrated on when rentals should be returned. These VIP memberships can also be configured to have tighter controls if required. There are also customer reports for the various types of VIP memberships that help management post the monthly debit orders required to control this type of club membership. Also these club memberships can be configured to expire on x number of days or even put a limit as to the number of days that rentals can be kept before attracting late fees making these club memberships/contract very flexible.

5.      Specials can be configured for retail stock e.g. by two items of group ‘A’ and get a group ‘B’ item for a 50% discount. Or be specific with stock numbers that are on special.

Note: Color coding is used to indicate that rental items are available or not. I.e. the color amber is used to indicate that a rental item is due back for current date. The rose color is used to indicate that there are no copies available for the title or for the specific format for the current date. Also notice that a light green highlights retail/sell-thru stock and take notice of the selling price and quantity in stock indicators on the same line. The catalogue browser is very powerful, in that it allows management and staff to get meaningful information on rental, retail, contract and special  stock items from one Window. Remember each rental item can be associated to a floor location where reports can be extracted in this order for easy stock taking. Also serial numbers and Pictures per copy of rental items can be recorded.
Note: If in the processes of helping a customer the operator can search by category, title, keyword or phrase and or external number i.e. barcode on the product. If the item in question is a rental item the operator can then reserve/book the item for the following day ensuring that it can not be taken out by another customer. If you carry many of the same items RAPS can be set to do reservation/booking rotations i.e. as equipment is returned it is rescheduled to next customer requiring the product and as customers are served the principle of first come first serve is supported with reservations. Reservation schedules can be printed for control purposes. And as equipment is returned the system clearly states that it is booked /reserved for the day so that it can be set aside. Also note that RAPS supports a SMS bookings/reservation reminder that can be sent to the customer mobile phone. 

Note: The above function allows for the planning of staff requirements during heavy business periods.

Notes: on customer graphical report representation:

• %Ttl-Cash      % of cash paying customers in database
• %Ttl_Club      % of club/contract customers in database
• %30Dy_Cas    % of Cash paying customers that returned to patronize within 30days
• %30Dy_Clu    % of Club/Contract members that returned to patronize within 30days
• %Yr_Cash      % of Cash paying customers that returned to patronize within a Year
• %Yr_Club…   % of Club/Contract members that returned to patronize within a Year   
• %Mon_Cash   % of Cash paying customer turnover contribution
• %Mon_Club   % of Club/Contract member turnover contribution

Note: Barcodes can also be produced for customer club memberships... reducing fraud.