http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/ This section contains answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the FloristWare POS system for flower shops. en Copyright 2011 Thu, 15 Jan 2009 07:14:07 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Some questions and misconceptions recently came up on FlowerChat. I'll try and set the record straight below: • FloristWare is not a web-based solution. It - and your data - resides on your computer so that you always have sole ownership of it. • There is an automated back-up routine that is run every night. The latest version also allows you to automate the process of sending a compressed back-up file to our ftp server for secure storage. • Dorothy is absolutely right - you could use gotomypc for remote access but if you have more than one license it’s not necessary - the software itself allows for remote access. It’s not uncommon for users to run statements, peruse reports or even track individual orders from anywhere they can get an internet connection. • The licensing can be confusing at first. We’re not actually worried about how many machines you install it on - just how many simultaneous connections you have. For example a user with a two station license could install the software on four machines with no problem - they just can’t use all of those stations at the same time. • We do offer some very interesting wire service options. FloristWare has full send and receive capability with BloomNet and Flower Shop Network and one-click sending (but no receiving) with bbrooks and Floral Source. • There is no integration with the FTD Mercury or Teleflora Dove networks. FTD and Teleflora orders can be entered into the system for tracking/reporting purposes. • There are definitely payroll features. The system will keep track of the hours worked by each employee and calculate their wages earned but it does not calculate withholding taxes, etc. The version currently being deployed also includes a staff scheduling tool. • Computer generated cards are an interesting issue. They can definitely save time and reduce errors but many shops - high end shops particularly - have resisted because they feel that they are cold and impersonal. Finding a solution has been a priority. The new version allows full wysiwig (What You See Is What You Get) card editing. You get to adjust the default font settings and then tweak them on a card-by-card basis. Some florists have told us that they plan to have fonts created of their own handwriting (this can be done) and use that. http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/technical_questions/questions_from_flowerchat.html http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/technical_questions/questions_from_flowerchat.html Technical Questions Thu, 15 Jan 2009 07:14:07 -0500 This is a concern for many florists who have in the past been limited to certain over-priced options. FloristWare will work with whatever merchant service provider you choose. You get the best rate you can (we can help) and we'll make it work. http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/costs_pricing/does_floristware_force_me_to_use_a_certain_merchant_service_provider_to_process_credit_card_sales.html http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/costs_pricing/does_floristware_force_me_to_use_a_certain_merchant_service_provider_to_process_credit_card_sales.html Costs / Pricing Tue, 05 Aug 2008 21:22:18 -0500 If you want to run FloristWare on more than one machine you can purchase additional subscriptions at a reduced rate. http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/costs_pricing/what_if_i_have_a_busy_shop_and.html http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/costs_pricing/what_if_i_have_a_busy_shop_and.html Costs / Pricing Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:22:04 -0500 Yes! You should take a really hard look at what they are offering. It looks impressive when a quote includes three computers, monitors, a printer and networking hardware. The problem is they are almost always specifying older machines that have very little value, and you can set up a network for less than $100. If you aren't sure, have someone who knows computers price the equipment they specify. FloristWare will probably run on the hardware you already have. And if you want or need new machines you can buy them more cheaply yourself at Costco or electronics store. http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/costs_pricing/some_systems_include_hardware.html http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/costs_pricing/some_systems_include_hardware.html Costs / Pricing Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:21:34 -0500 No! FloristWare only comes one way — complete! When you choose FloristWare, you get everything that we talk about on this site and in our presentations. We want all users to be successful and take advantage of all of the features in the system. http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/costs_pricing/do_i_have_to_buy_separate_modu_1.html http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/costs_pricing/do_i_have_to_buy_separate_modu_1.html Costs / Pricing Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:20:42 -0500 contact us for more information.]]> http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/costs_pricing/can_i_just_buy_the_software_ou.html http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/costs_pricing/can_i_just_buy_the_software_ou.html Costs / Pricing Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:19:50 -0500 One FloristWare subscription costs just $100 per month. This is an incredible value when you consider that works out to about $3 per day. The time-saving features alone will save you more than that - the increased sales are a bonus! Additional subscriptions (if you want to run FloristWare on more than one computer) are heavily discounted. http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/costs_pricing/how_much_does_floristware_cost.html http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/costs_pricing/how_much_does_floristware_cost.html Costs / Pricing Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:18:33 -0500 No! The facts are that a lot of people who are good with flowers are not good with computers, and that in busy shops there is a high rate of staff turnover. This meant we had to make FloristWare easy to use and we did. A beginner can sit down and start using FloristWare with no training at all. http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/getting_started/is_floristware_hard_to_use.html http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/getting_started/is_floristware_hard_to_use.html Getting Started Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:18:05 -0500 No! FloristWare is simple. It only comes one way — complete! When you choose FloristWare, you get everything that we talk about on this site and in our presentations. We want you to be successful and take advantage of all the features. http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/getting_started/does_floristware_come_in_bits.html http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/getting_started/does_floristware_come_in_bits.html Getting Started Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:17:12 -0500 contact us and we’ll get you set up with the permanent version.]]> http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/getting_started/what_happens_when_im_finished.html http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/getting_started/what_happens_when_im_finished.html Getting Started Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:16:21 -0500 Get Started page and follow the instructions. ]]> http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/getting_started/how_do_i_get_started.html http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/getting_started/how_do_i_get_started.html Getting Started Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:15:04 -0500 Yes! FloristWare includes a built-in "Timeclock" feature that keeps track of the hours that your employees work and, if you wish, the wages that they earn. The best thing about this feature is that it is so simple it's basically invisible to the employees - it's pretty much automatic. http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/features/does_floristware_keep_track_of.html http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/features/does_floristware_keep_track_of.html Features Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:14:22 -0500 Yes! If you want to run a reminder service FloristWare will ask you to collect information about upcoming birthdays, anniversaries, etc. from the customer at the end of every sale. Then, in advance of the event, FloristWare will prompt your staff to call that customer and ask if they would like to place an order. If they do, all their information is right there to make things quick and easy. In the event you have an email address for the customer Floristware will even create a reminder email, customized for their special event, and send it to them. http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/features/does_floristware_offer_a_remin.html http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/features/does_floristware_offer_a_remin.html Features Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:13:53 -0500 Yes! Some shops want to use FloristWare only as an order-taking system but to get the full benefit you really should also use it as point-of sale system in place of your cash register. http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/features/can_floristware_replace_my_cas.html http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/features/can_floristware_replace_my_cas.html Features Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:13:21 -0500 Yes! If you want it to FloristWare will print enclosure cards and delivery slips. These cards feature the card message and delivery information. A perforation allows the delivery section to be removed by the delivery person or the recipient - leaving them with an attractive card. We encourage you to have card blanks printed with your store name, phone number and other useful information like instructions for care. We don’t sell these cards but we can put you in touch with a printer who is familiar with them or supply the specifications to your printer. You can also get them from the John Henry Company. http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/features/does_floristware_print_enclosu.html http://www.floristware.com/content/users_potential/faqs/features/does_floristware_print_enclosu.html Features Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:11:28 -0500