Costa Coffee selects WRS Systems for future proof point-of-sale (EPOS) tailored solution.

Simon Vardy, owner of nine Costa Coffee franchise stores across Greater Manchester and Cheshire, has selected WRS Systems implementation of Toshiba hardware with Datasym POS software, as its electronic point-of-sale (EPOS) system for improved customer service and management efficiencies.

The decision to install the Toshiba / Datasym system was made following a demonstration of the POS solution by WRS Systems, who were recommended to Simon by an existing restaurant chain. WRS and Datasym worked closely with Costa Coffee’s Franchise Association to design a tailored solution to meet the needs of the franchisees businesses, but also one which would be approved by Costa themselves.

Commenting on the reason for the selection, Simon said,

"I was impressed by the flexibility of the system and the fact that it could be tailored for small to medium sized businesses. WRS were able to demonstrate a system that could meet all my needs, providing live data, whilst being low-cost and easy to use"

The robust, reliable and spill-proof design of the Toshiba hardware is ideal for a café operating environment, and, with its stylish aesthetics, ‘picture frame’ POS and small footprint the terminal fits very well into the stylish counter space.

With the solution installed by WRS Systems, Simon now has remote access to live data enabling him to remotely monitor the performance of any of the nine sites. Fingerprint ‘sign-on’ at the Toshiba POS terminals ensures staff can not sign on using another staff members card, whilst CCTV cameras means that Simon can easily monitor transactions at the till.

Datasym’s back-office “Stockade” software provides full stock control, resulting in greater stock reliability, accuracy and operational efficiencies. For example Yield Reports are used to identify whether the correct level of stock is being ordered.

A full suite of management reports allows top level reporting as well as detailed analysis of sales facilitating frequency and trend analysis. Quick and easy reporting enables monitoring of the sales, by store, by product, by cashier, even by till, if required - information which store managers can use for staff planning in busy periods. Such information has proved invaluable, for example the Cheadle store identified a particularly busy period and changed staff shifts to an hour earlier which, due to quicker customer throughput, significantly increased sales. Cashier Reports monitor staff attendance times to ensure stores are opened on time.

Financial reporting has also been greatly enhanced: an automated tax analysis has replaced the previous manual system - saving a great deal of time and effort, whilst the banking reconciliation has been greatly improved.

With the Toshiba tills now linked to the EFT terminals, transaction times have been greatly reduced, resulting in quicker customer service and a reduction in input errors. Commenting on this aspect Simon Vardy said, “We aim to serve customers as quickly and professionally as possible. Before the new solution our maximum sales in one hour was £350 in 40 transactions. Since the Installion of the Toshiba / Datasym solution by WRS Systems has been installed we have increased this to £450 in 60 transactions”.

The Toshiba tills with the bright screen touch and intuitive customised layouts make it easy for staff to use, making staff training easy. Staff Managers are also impressed with the reliability of the Toshiba tills.

Future plans include tailoring the system for enhanced customer service. This would include, for example, an electronic ordering system directly linked to the POS, giving customers the option to select an order from a menu and submit by email, stating a specific time to collect. Customers with very limited time, such as staff at the Oldham Hospital store, would find this very attractive as they only have ten minute breaks and therefore little time to wait.

Speaking about the overall solution, Simon Vardy said:
“I am very impressed with the EPOS solution and the service and support supplied by WRS Systems. They have provided us with a low-cost tailored system that has enabled us to improve business efficiencies and speeded up the transaction at the till, allowing us to serve customers faster and increase turnover”.

"I would happily recommend the WRS System''s solution to prospective franchisees"

WRS Systems Ltd. Registered address: Systems House, St. Cross Lane, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 5BZ, UK Company Reg. No. 4637875  
Tel: 0845 0066214  Email: sales@wrssystems.co.uk
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