WE'LL HELP YOU PREPARE FOR SUMMER

The summer is a hot time, isn’t it? People are planning for vacations, getting ready for the fall season and generally do a lot more shopping than any other time of the year, save for Christmas. It is a hot time for some non-retail organizations as well. For instance, Microsoft Dynamics’ fiscal year end is on June 31 and because of that many Microsoft partners are getting calls from their reps encouraging them to close more sales. What is in that for the customers? The customers may leverage this time of the year to get the better deals. There’s something in it for everyone if you are paying attention. And here at Retail Hero we’ll do anything in our power to make this unique opportunity profitable for everyone. Therefore, we're announcing a promotion which will last only until the end of this month. Details are at the end of this newsletter.

WHAT IS RMS LITE? (Part 2)

Since our announcement of the Beta release of RMS Lite in April 2010, we have been receiving questions from our partners and customers. One of the most important questions was: “What is the relationship between RMS Lite and Dynamics RMS?” After discussing these issues with several RMS partners and the Microsoft Retail team, we have decided to clarify the Retail Hero’s vision for this brand new product.

Q. Is RMS Lite a replacement for Dynamics RMS Store Operations POS license?
A. No. RMS Lite is just another add-on for Dynamics RMS. RMS Lite requires that the customer is in possession of Dynamics RMS Licenses. RMS Lite works in conjunction with Dynamics RMS and makes use of the business data and settings in the same way as any other Dynamics RMS add-on would do.

Q. Is RMS Lite a full POS solution which could be used without Dynamics RMS?
A. No. RMS Lite is designed to supplement Dynamics RMS in the scenarios where using the original RMS POS interface appears inconvenient. RMS Lite has some GUI features and functionality which are not found in the Dynamics RMS POS. At the same time, RMS Lite has quite fewer features than Dynamics RMS POS does. Its design is driven by the specific customer needs we’ve been hearing of for years.

Q. What is the use of RMS Lite then?
A. RMS Lite is an extension of the retail solutions based on Dynamics RMS. It has unique applications such as a line-busting mobile cashier with a tablet PC, ad-hoc cash-only POS lanes, offsite sales at the trade show booths or on the road etc. Because of the built-in Catalog View interface, we also see it quite capable of effectively working in the mixed retail/fast-food environments. Essentially, RMS Lite can be seen in the same way as any of the mobile POS integrated with Dynamics RMS (e.g. such as the Mobile POS by New West Technologies), but with a richer, more powerful Windows-based user interface.

Q. Does RMS Lite use any of the Dynamics RMS code?
A. No. RMS Lite is built from ground up by the Retail Hero programming team. It is built using Retail Hero’s proprietary frameworks and cutting edge technologies such as .NET and WPF.

Q. Where I can see the list of RMS Lite features?
A. Check out on our Web Page: http://www.retailhero.com/RMSLite

Q. When RMS Lite will become available?
A. The planned release is on June 15th, 2010. But we are already taking the orders. Please contact Sales@RetailHero.com for more information and pricing.

CUSTOMER LOYALTY NEWS

Introducing New MegaGifts for Dynamics RMS

Our newest member of the RMS Customer Loyalty family, Mega Gifts is the answer for retailers who reward their customers with free gifts. Using the powerful point collection options similar to Hero Points, it is now possible for customers to redeem points for item gifts. E.g. For 100 points, you get a toaster! But save up 1000 points and you can walk away with your very own espresso machine! Make any of your RMS items into Mega Gifts, and your customers will be eager to earn their prize!

Like its cousin Hero Points, the Mega Gifts add-on is HQ compatible and works in a multi-store environment. And with new color skins available, Mega Gifts can look good on any occasion. Features include:

• Full HQ functionality for multi-store setups
• Four types of point accelerators, as well as welcome points and bonus points
• “Skinnability” (so the program’s look and feel may be customized by applying one of the available “skins”)

Hero Points for Dynamics POS2009

Using the same powerful point collection options found in Hero Points for RMS, Hero Points for POS 2009 applies a discount for redeemed points.

Simply put, Hero Points is a POS2009 add-on that lets customers collect points based on the amount of money they spend in the store. The software goes deeper than that, however, applying various point accelerators and other special rules to customize how the points are collected. Once a threshold amount of points has been collected, the customer is prompted to redeem them for a discount.

Retail Hero recently released Hero Points for POS2009. The functionality is identical to that of Hero Points for Dynamics RMS, save for the HQ-compatibility. Now, customers that use Dynamics POS 2009 have access to the same acclaimed loyalty program that Dynamics RMS users have been benefiting from for years.

Why Customer Loyalty?

A customer loyalty program does exactly what its name implies; it builds the loyalty of your customers, giving them reason to choose your store over the competition. Why would a customer go anywhere else if they have a running account with collected points at your store? With the possibility of a discount in the future, a savvy shopper will know that your store offers more with a loyalty program, and come to you instead.

“A customer loyalty program is a long term commitment and we are glad that we chose Retail Hero’s Hero Points, for our purpose.
The cost was reasonable (even though we have 10 active lanes with Hero Points). Implementation was very easy and straight forward. One thing I have to mention and thank to Retail Hero is their support. They were with us at every step (pre-set up, post-set up), their professional and friendly attitude is the big plus compared to other companies I experienced and they are the most helpful technical support we have ever worked with. 
Thank you Retail Hero!”

- Zeytuna Market, NY

To grow your business and loyal customer base, send us an email at Sales@RetailHero.com or call us at 1 888 785 4376. Well be happy to give you a run-down on the software and a free trial.

Download a demo today!

IN OTHER NEWS

Have you heard of RMS Experts?

Did you hear that Microsoft is giving RMS the AX? Get the scoop on the latest Microsoft direction, download add-on trials and discuss anything RMS-related on RMSExperts.com, a community portal for RMS professionals.

RMS Experts has existed since 2006, as a VAR portal for RMS-related discussions and downloads. Many VARs and customers have found value, first-hand information and the variety of 3rd party product downloads on the many pages of the site. With all this growing demand, RMSExperts.com is about to change.

Responding to the voices of RMS VARs at the partners conference in Atlanta in April this year, Retail Hero is inviting all RMS VARs to actively participate. Currently we are working with major players in the RMS channel to organize the effort. We welcome all RMS VARs, especially add-on developers and 3rd party integrators, to participate in this effort.

Have you ever visited RMSExperts.com? What do you think of it now? How would you like to see it in the future? Can you offer any help and how can it help you? Let us know if you’re interested in participating. We believe in the power of community and look forward to make it work for everyone.

We can be reached by phone at 1 888 785 4376, or by email at Sales@RetailHero.com. If you’re not a member yet, make sure you register with RMSExperts.com. It’s free!

Did you get the package?

We sent you a package of our brochures and sales literature that included flyers for RMS Lite, Mega Gifts, Hero Points and a small one-pager that shows off other add-ons. Let us know if you have any questions or if you didn’t get the delivery. Here’s a snapshot of what was inside:

If you didn't get the package, send us your mailing address by email and we'll send you one.
Contact us at Sales@RetailHero.com.

PCI-DSS EXPLAINED

If you are a store owner, are you sure you aren't liable for a $500,000 fine? If you are not sure then you should check your compliance with PCI-DSS requirements. . The Payment card industry data security standards, or PCI DSS are a set of guidelines proposed by the PCI Security Standards Council back in 2004 to maintain payment card safety and fight fraud. In order for a retail system to be classified as PCI compliant, and thus authorized to process payment cards, it must follow the guidelines outlined in PCI DSS. There are two versions of DSS, and the latest one, 1.2 comes in effect in just a month. The requirements are the same across North America.

Merchants must be fully compliant to PCI DSS 1.2 standards by July 1, 2010. However, assessments done in version 1.1 are still valid until that day. From that point on, an annual self assessment quiz is required and a quarterly vulnerability test is recommended to be performed by a supplier. If a failure to comply is detected when a case of credit card fraud occurs, the merchant will be subject to the $500,000 fine.

Microsoft Dynamics RMS is only compliant from version 2.0 SP2, so if an RMS user  is running RMS 1.2-1.3, or the early version of 2.0 prior to SP2, now's a great time to upgrade.

PCI compliance goes further than just the software that is installed on the computer, as outlined in the 12 points of PCI compliance (listed below). Your entire store must be secure from hijacking, and both physical and digital data must be properly secured. This includes such basic security measures as setting up a firewall, encrypting data and safely storing forms containing credit card numbers in a locked cabinet. But the software still remains the most critical point.

The push for PCI standards is a response to an increase in credit card fraud. When a credit card is swiped, all of the data that can be found on the face (such as cardholder name, card number and expiration date) turn up as a string of raw, unencrypted text. These strings of information are extremely vulnerable, and can be copied from a hard drive if poorly stored on the disk, stolen at break-in or even condensed from a wireless network. To prevent this, The PCI announced 12 requirements for business and software that must be followed in order to use payment cards:

• Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data
• Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters
• Protect stored cardholder data
• Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks
• Use and regularly update anti-virus software
• Develop and maintain secure systems and applications
• Restrict access to cardholder data by business need-to-know
• Assign a unique ID to each person with computer access
• Restrict physical access to cardholder data
• Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data
• Regularly test security systems and processes
• Maintain a policy that addresses information security

PROMOTIONS, ETC.

Fan Us on Facebook for Goodies

Find Retail Hero on Facebook or Twitter and become a fan or follower. Becoming a fan will get you the following benefits:

• When you join the facebook page, send as an email with your mailing address, and we'll send you a Retail Hero baseball cap for FREE!
• You will hear from Retail Hero any time there’s a news or announcement without losing the newsletter in the spam folder. Retail Hero has plans to introduce numerous new products in the nearest future so to stay on the top may be important for you whether you are a retailer or RMS VAR.
  
• Each new “fan” will be eligible to be entered into the draws with various prizes (free product licenses, etc.) which will be held regularly when the fan number reaches certain level (the next draw to be held at 100 fans)

Now until July 1, 2010, get up to 20% off!

• Any of our existing or new RMS customer will immediately receive a 15% discount toward the list price on the  new Dynamics RMS or Dynamics POS 2009 licenses if the order is placed before June 20, 2010
• All our partners and their customers who are interested in Retail Hero’s add-ons are immediately qualified to receive an additional 20% discount if the order is placed before June 31, 2010

Take advantage of this rare offer!  

Why are Dynamics RMS add-ons important?
Whether you’re a current user of RMS, someone considering purchasing the software or an RMS partner, add-ons can boost the effectiveness of your point-of-sale solution.  Think of RMS as pasta. On its own, it works well and gets the job done: in your case it provides all the standard necessary functions that are expected of a POS system. But even an Italian won’t eat plain pasta. RMS add-ons are the metaphorical sauce and meatballs that give your POS system the flavor and an edge in the competitive market. Add-ons handle functions like customer loyalty, provide interface improvements and make running a retail business easier and cheaper.

How can I benefit?
Contact our sales team to get an add-on price sheet and a quote at sales@retailhero.com.

SEE YOU IN VEGAS!

This year you can see Retail Hero’s products live and meet the team members in person at our booth at RSPA's RetailNow! 2010 show in Las Vegas at the end of July.

We booked booth number 105 in the South-West corner of the trade floor. Check out the full listing of exhibitors here. This will be your best chance learn more about and see in action our add-ons including the latest versions of our loyalty programs for RMS and POS 2009,  RMS Lite (more below), and win the door prizes. At the show, for the first time we will publicly reveal a secret technology which may have a power of changing the face of the retailing in the near future. But, psst! Enough about it for now. We just wanted to mention  that so if you are an existing RMS VAR, or user, you won’t want to miss out!

RetailNOW is an annual expo held in Las Vegas by Retail Solutions Providers Asscociation of North America. This year it’s taking place between July 25 and 28th at the Mandalay Bay resort. While all the booths have been filled, there are still lots of tickets available for attendees. This event provides a great environment for meeting industry professionals. VARs and potential buyers alike get the opportunity to network with software and hardware providers and see the latest new retail technology all in one place. It’s Disneyland for retailers!

Learn more on the RSPA website and click here to watch Retail Hero's interview with Business Solutions Magazine at VARTECH 2009