Case Study: SUEZ UK

SUEZ UK Implements Bespoke EPOS Ecosystem

SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK was established in 1988 as part of the global SUEZ Group to manage waste and water for local authority and business customers. EPOS Systems, has completed an install at four of the Greater Manchester sites.

Employing more than 5,000 people, with more than 600 people employed in Greater Manchester alone, SUEZ manages the waste sites on behalf of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), handling 1.1 million tonnes of waste arising from nearly 2.3million residents.

The Brief - EPOS To Support Business Growth

SUEZ recently launched its most comprehensive and ambitious reuse strategy at the Renew Hub in Greater Manchester. This is an industrial scale model of reuse where household products which otherwise would have gone to waste are upcycled and sold on to consumers via 3 local reuse shops and online retailer eBay. Facilities at the Hub lengthen the lifecycle of products, helping to reduce waste, with all proceeds distributed to charities and community groups across Greater Manchester.

EPOS Systems was tasked with providing a multi-till setup for SUEZ covering all four sites (three reuse shops and the Renew Hub) that could cover barcode assignment, label printing, weight reporting, efficiency staff discounting and above all, accurate reporting.

The Solution - A Bespoke Solution

Each site has a terminal installed with TouchPoint, along with receipt and barcode printers and a barcode scanner. This setup includes a TouchOffice Web account, which allows the SUEZ team remote access to manage their operation centrally.

Reusable household products are delivered to the Renew Hub, categorised as reused goods (sold as is) or upcycled goods (repaired then sold) and given a price depending on the quality. Each product is then assigned a barcode using a label printing script that has been modified to create price-embedded barcodes.

Every product is an open-price product within the system and assigned a price using TouchPoint which prints onto the barcoded label. When the barcode is scanned the product is sold at the price that was assigned to the product at the Hub upon inspection.

Due to the nature of the industry, it is crucial that SUEZ has accurate reporting on the weight of each product going through the system. To achieve this, EPOS Systems has used TouchPoint’s in-built functionality to give each item its average weight value. This was taken from a uniform file containing average weights that SUEZ provided.

A number of bespoke reports have also been created within TouchOffice Web that enable the required information to be generated in one place. These reports detail how many of each product have been sold, at what price, and most importantly, the total weight of each product. SUEZ also utilises the customer database feature within TouchOffice Web to offer a staff discount.

The Result - An Efficient System That Meets Business Needs

EPOS Systems have worked with many clients outside of the retail and hospitality sectors. However, with a unique set of requirements, SUEZ provided an opportunity to really challenge the capabilities of TouchPoint and TouchOffice Web. Through the dedication of the EPOS Systems team and the support of ICRTouch, SUEZ was provided with a customised solution that allows the management of the business and growth.

“The EPoS system created for us is easy to use and has enabled us to make serious progress towards our goals. The Renew Hub is an industry first in terms of the scale of operations and the system allows us to not only track sales, but also tonnages which is vitally important in our industry.”
Colin Preston, Renew Hub Manager At SUEZ Recycling And Recovery UK

This case study was originally published on https://www.icrtouch.com/

What is EPOS?

EPOS stands for electronic point of sale. Invented in 1992, it was designed to simplify the sales process, evolving over time to assist with the management of all areas of business.

EPOS goes beyond a cash register; it is an intelligent web-based system that businesses can rely on for reporting, staff, stock, customer loyalty and promotions management, along with many other features. It can integrate with other systems, such as accounting software or hotel PMS, or even connect to websites or ordering apps to allow for more commerce options.

The right EPOS system can help drive a business’ efficiency, saving on time and maximising profits.

So, what should you look for when choosing an EPOS system? Here’s our top tips:

1)     Ease of Use

Whether you’re introducing a new point of sale solution or introducing a new member of staff, you need a system that is easy-to-use and slips straight into your operation. When designed with the end-user in mind, EPOS will be easy to learn and operate.

2)     Customer Support

Though most EPOS systems are pretty fool proof you may experience a technical issue from time to time, and when you do you’ll need an EPOS expert on the other end of the phone to help you! When picking an EPOS system, make sure you don’t forget the value of a 7-day-a-week reliable service.

3)     Integration

Use Deliveroo for your takeaway deliveries or Sage for your accounts? It’s worth considering your current programs and choosing an EPOS System that will integrate with them. Allowing you to manage your whole operation more efficiently.

4)     Versatility and Scalability

Whether you’re an independent retailer or setting up a multi-site empire, you’ll want an EPOS System that can fit with your business’ individual needs. And when it’s time for your business to grow then you’ll need an EPOS system that will be able to grow with you! A good EPOS system will allow for integration across multiple sites, meaning you can manage your entire business from anywhere.

5)     Security

Protecting your sales data and personal data is important so you’ll want an EPOS system that is secure. Look out for systems that assist with deterring and investigating internal fraud for extra protection.

Think you’re ready to switch to EPOS? Give us a call today on 0800 059 0991.

How EPOS can make your business more sustainable

In business, a focus on sustainability isn’t just about the environment and corporate responsibility, it also makes commercial sense. Firstly, with reducing costs, but also by attracting new customers.

According to Forbes, “81% of global consumers feel strongly that companies should help improve the environment,” yet only “60% of companies have a sustainability strategy.” Building a solid sustainability strategy and communicating it within your marketing could support your business in gaining a competitive edge.

But where to start? Here’s how your electronic point of sale (EPOS) can help you:

- Limit waste with stock management

One third of all food produced is wasted in the UK, with an estimated 18% attributed to the hospitality and food industries (Sustainable Hospitality Alliance). Similarly, ineffective retail inventory management leads to wasted stock, lost revenue and even business failure.

Luckily an intelligent EPOS system can help you manage your stock levels, place orders, and oversee your ins and outs.

- Go digital

“If the current rate of deforestation continues, it will take less than 100 years to destroy all the rainforests on the earth” (DocuPhase).

With the huge environmental impact of paper, along with the government’s ‘Making Tax Digital’ campaign and the UK’s movement towards a ‘cashless society,’ now is the best time to digitise your business.

An innovative EPOS system can help you adapt to a paperless operation with cloud-based reporting, digital receipts, digital point of sale marketing and digital menus/ordering.

-        Limit your travel

According to National Geographic, 80-90% of a vehicle’s environmental impact is due to fuel consumption and emissions of air population and greenhouse gases, driving global warming.

If you opt for cloud-base point of sale management software, then you can manage your business from home, without having to ‘nip’ in unnecessarily.

Looking to take the first steps in becoming a more sustainable business? We can help, give us a call today on 0800 059 0991.

How to make your small business more efficient

How to make your small restaurant or retail business more efficient

The definition of efficient, “…achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense” (Oxford Languages, 2022).

Do you have to be ‘present’ to manage your business? Do you spend hours onsite manually pulling reports? Do you have to turn away customers because you can’t accommodate their preferred method of payment? If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, then your business may not be running efficiently.

Luckily, an effective electronic point of sale (EPOS) system can help! See our top five ways in which EPOS can assist in maximising your business efficiency, minimising wasted time and drive profits.

1)     Cloud-based technology

A quick price change, promotion, or a report to download. No need to ‘pop in,’ do it remotely! Manage your business on any device, from anywhere.

2)     Instant reports

Sales, stock, staff. Real-time or historical. Pull reports instantly, from anywhere, giving you the data you need to help make the best business decisions.

3)     Integration

If you’re looking to streamline your service or scale your business… or both; then your machines and systems need to talk to each other!
Integration is key when running an efficient operation, which is why EPOS integrates! From till to till, till to card reader, or even Shopify and Deliveroo, get your technology talking.

4)     Cashless payments

There’s nothing worse than turning away a paying customer. As the UK heads further towards a cashless society, make sure your business doesn’t fall behind. Contactless, PayPal, Apple Pay, G Pay, online, at the table or at the till; allow the customer to use their preferred method of payment.

5)     Easy-to-use

Whether you’re introducing a new point of sale solution or introducing a new member of staff, you need a system that is easy-to-use and slips straight into your operation. When designed with the end-user in mind, EPOS will be easy to learn and operate, saving you time and money!

Looking to update your cash register or current EPOS system? Our team of EPOS experts would love to help. Contact us on 0800 059 0991.