On the Topic of Accounting Automation

Here are some basics. If you own a business then you have sales work that needs to get done and accounting work that needs to get done. In 2015 we use software to manage these work efforts improving our efficiency and helping us replicate routine tasks.

Typically sales software and accounting software are two totally different applications, after all each serves a separate purpose. That said, the sales system has the revenue and receipts data the accounting system needs to do its work preparing you P&Ls and Statement of Cash Flows. Some outputs of the sales system are the inputs of the accounting system. Many companies transfer this data manually, sometimes through printed reports other times through cutting and pasting and emailing spreadsheets.


Think of all the time you would save if you didn't have to do that manually. How much effort could be applied to more valuable tasks if you didn't have to spend time on having people enter data. Automating data entry is a benefit of the 2Touch DataKey.

Must Read Article on EMV...

This article was forwarded to me today by Mercury Payment Systems. Its an important additional point of view on EMV

EMV Article - Click Here

Batter Up: EMV Puts Card-Not-Present Fraud on Deck

In the world of charge back liability, who’s responsible for what? That’s what’s important for merchants to know. TODAY, if the card is present, the issuing bank for that card is generally responsible for any counterfeit losses. However, on October 1, 2015, that changes. Then, in card present transaction, the company responsible for the EMV information has to take on counterfeit losses.

2Touch and EMV

I am sure you have many questions about EMV and 2Touch.  What direction are we pointing in so that we meet the future payment processing needs of our customers?  It’s best if I first define the problem before I talk about how to solve it.

In 2015 magnetic swipe readers are an insecure means to process credit card transactions by comparison to chip technology (EMV). The US is low hanging fruit for fraud and our economic stability depends on securing our payment systems from hackers and thieves. In order to incent investment in EMV the credit card authorities are declaring merchants without it, who live through a fraudulent event, accountable for the losses. They call it a shift in liability and an “event” could be very expensive.

If you’re the type of person that likes to take a risk then don’t worry about spending money on EMV. You will still be able to accept credit cards and use your existing hardware.  On the other hand, if you like to mitigate your risks and appreciate the value of security then you’ll need to deploy new card readers  and be updated to the version of 2Touch that processes these cards.

EMV in the US is in its infancy stage. The hardware manufactures seem to have the retail transaction figured out quite easily. The EMV device attaches directly to the POS terminal; the customer swipes the card and enters their pin at the time of purchase.  This is straightforward.  

Sales transactions in a Bar, Restaurant or Nightclub don’t happen in exact proximity of the POS terminal. The POS terminal is either behind the bar or at the server’s station.  Payments are made by handing your card to the Bartender or Server, they bring the card to the terminal and swipe, a receipt is printed, returned to you for review and your signature. In that case, how is the pin entered?  To adapt this process, and get an EMV reader in proximity of the customer for pin entry, the reader is going to have to be accessible to the customer. We think the reader needs to be mobile.

We are currently working with several hardware providers and will be sure to announce what our EMV offering ultimately looks like.  In the end, it should be low impact. Limited to the purchase of EMV readers and updating your version of 2Touch to accept EMV trsansactions.

The Big Idea in 161 Words

Bars Restaurants and Clubs are part of a thriving industry. An economic juggernaut ringing up over 700 billion dollars annually. Yet, according to Cornell and Michigan University 50% are gone by year 3. Reality TV is filled with shows about rescuing the impossible.  Now, I am not suggesting you are going to fail I am reminding you that owning is a high stakes game that is risky. This is a gladiator’s sport.

This industry is under constant social, economic and technological pressure to adapt and evolve. From stories about binge drinking habits to rising cost of goods to Windows XP and how you get paid as consumers continue to shift from cash to credit. These socioeconomic forces directly affect your profit margin. This business is now a strategic game of precision, compounding and constant focus on your guest check average.

For owners who want to be in the know and are seeking fast precise financial controls, 2TouchPOS delivers. 

Come see me at NightClub&Bar Show 2015

I'll be at the 2TouchPOS booth 1122. Stop by and say Hi.

Your Business is a System of Systems...

One of the most important lessons I have ever learned

 A business is a system of systems. What do I mean when I say that? In order to fully grasp the comment you have to take an objective point of view. You need to see your business with you in the picture rather than through your own eyes. When you do its easier to notice.

Think of all your business functions. Leadership, Marketing, Money, Management....

Sales, Cash Receipts, Credit, Collections, Invoicing, Accounts Receivable, Purchasing, Inventory Control, Budgeting, Cash Planning, Payroll, Taxes, Financial Statements. It goes on and on. The outputs of one system are the inputs to another.

Today, profitable, growing businesses use software to manage most all of their business processes.

Software is just way more efficient at performing calculations, moving data from one system to another and preparing documents. Point of Sale software manages just that; what happens at the point of SALE. It manages your sales process! It captures the data your other business systems need. Your accounting system, your inventory system, your marketing system, your payroll system and it passes that data along in the form of an output. Businesses with disintegrated processes manually move data from one business function to another. Businesses who invest in integration, see explosive growth in profits through reduced expenses, redeployed workforce and better faster business decisions about what activities produce results and which ones don't

Business systems integration is the key to maximizing efficiency