MPower Beverage

Salute Beer Distributor after 15 months of operations

Pros

mPower Beverage program offers a great set of features and reports necessary for operating a liquor store. The scanner works well too.

Cons

The credit card servicing with Open Edge is terrible. Customers don't have the option to choose between debit or credit. Upgrading to a "no signature" requirement necessitated a different machine, but now the screen isn't touch-sensitive. It's an inconvenient system and not user-friendly. The root cause of the issues with Open Edge lies in mPower's inefficient programming. Updates are chaotic. While mPower does have the capability for automatic updates on a regular basis, whenever I call and require assistance, it often leads to an update. Sometimes the update can be done immediately, but other times it cannot. Currently, I need an update that will take approximately 20 minutes to install. Since I am on the east coast and open at 9 am, the Help Desk (located in Colorado, I believe) informed me that they would have to come in "too early" based on their time zone to install the update before my store opens. So, when exactly would be a convenient time for me to shut down my store for 20 minutes to complete the update? The questions I ask often receive the response that they will be addressed in a future update, and even after 15 months, these same updates are still categorized as "future updates." The program is dependent on an expensive Dell computer, which should have been a warning sign before purchasing the system. The Help Desk is not truly a Help Desk unless you catch them during regular business hours from Monday to Friday. Leaving a message for the Help Desk to call back is unsatisfactory. In the evenings and on weekends, the Help Desk is only available "on call." There's so much more I could say, but typing it out won't get me anywhere, and my time is valuable.

All in all it will do what it is designed to do, but missing some really useful features.

Pros

The back office functionality is powerful, particularly when it comes to inventory management. It offers a decent amount of sales information. I find the "my list" feature to be convenient for creating mu ltiple purchase orders. The print tickets feature is handy for generating new price tags on the go. The ability to track multiple SKUs is great for inventory tracking of items that may be broken down. Overall, the point of sale (POS) system is easy to operate and the most user-friendly aspect of the software. I also like the remote access capability and the availability of basic tutorial videos. The tech support team is knowledgeable about the software's functionality.

Cons

Navigating the software can be boring at times, especially when trying to manipulate reports according to specific requirements. I frequently have to contact support to have certain features enabled, which should have been included in updates or initially installed. Updates are not consistently released and tech support is not truly available 24/7. Communication is often done through email or by leaving a message. I am currently waiting for some advertised features to be implemented in our system. There is no auto-generate feature for reports, and updating inventory, even with the scan inventory feature, is quite tedious. The journal is only accessible in the POS software, and the back office displays transactions in an unorganized manner, sorted by date rather than time. Many essential POS features are missing, which could simplify the processes for managers or owners. There are no per-employee cash logs without revealing the day's sales. The software only works with specific credit card processors for integration. There is no coupon module for abuse tracking or auto-scanning coupons. Lately, it seems that tech support is growing frustrated with my inquiries. While this software simplifies certain aspects, it also complicates others.

Excellent POS Software

Pros

mPower Beverage is user-friendly and I find the reports to be versatile and comprehensive as it covers historical data across all departments. Whenever I need technical assistance, it is provided quickly.

Cons

The integration with credit card processing through VANTIV has been problematic. We've encountered multiple issues with this credit processing company, including unexpected changes in rate fees without prior notification. Additionally, we find the display on the credit card processing machine to be confusing, unlike any other retail store we've come across.