Which Software to Purchase??

[lanna5]

I was wondering if anyone here who used Video Vision ever switched to Rentrak? I am having one heck of a time finding any software that is reasonable in price and does what Video Vision will do?

I'm looking at Alerion as it was supposed to be a good software for smaller stores like me, but this software is in no way comparable to Video Vision! I might be a small store, but I still use a lot of the features Video Vision has and Alerion wouldn't work for me at all.

I'm looking at Tempus right now because they are the only ones I can find that have a monthly payment plan, but I can't find a demo of the software on their site. For those that use it, how does it compare to Phoenix? I can't afford the large price tag for that software, but it does everything Video Vision does.

[IVR]

Tempus and Phoenix are both good choices.

www.tempustechnologies.com/download is where you'll find Spectrum demos.

[Thomas Williams]

Next to location, the software that you choose is probably the second most important decision that you will make. Sorry if I sound a bit cynical but if you can't afford the software to run your business you do not belong in the business.

[videosilva]

I was wondering if anyone here who used Video Vision ever switched to Rentrak? I am having one heck of a time finding any software that is reasonable in price and does what Video Vision will do?

I'm looking at Alerion as it was supposed to be a good software for smaller stores like me, but this software is in no way comparable to Video Vision! I might be a small store, but I still use a lot of the features Video Vision has and Alerion wouldn't work for me at all.

I'm looking at Tempus right now because they are the only ones I can find that have a monthly payment plan, but I can't find a demo of the software on their site. For those that use it, how does it compare to Phoenix? I can't afford the large price tag for that software, but it does everything Video Vision does.

I tried the Demo version of Video Vision Plus and really liked it unfortunately it is too expensive. I ended up using 4POS Rentals ( $69.99 ). It does the job but is disappointing after trying Video Vision Plus

[paladin]

Thomas, since there are many programs available from $50 or so to a couple of thousand dollars, just exactly which program does one need to buy before you think they belong in business? And "cynical" is not the word I would use.

[Thomas Williams]

You're right. My words were probably uncalled for. Let me re-phrase. Retail is hard. Video retail, in a challenging and ever changing market, is especially hard. The price of the software is not the important thing. The features in the software that allow you to compete are what's important. By choosing a software package that does not allow you to compete because of it's inherent limitations is something to be avoided, if possible.

[paladin]

Sometimes its hard to get your real intent accross in a post like this. I'll give ya the benefit of the doubt. I believe I got your point, though, and you're certainly correct. I actually spent a couple of months testing demos and running every scenario I could imagine on the software. The old saw that "you get what you pay for" is still true today!

[EVW]

Totally agree Thomas.   I didn't want to be mean but I'm sorry, the guy who said he just got the 69.99 software?     Are you kidding me?  This is a tough game as it is and succeeding in it will be tough even for the smartest, hardest working people, but $70 software?   You plan on competing w/ the big boys using $70 software?

I'm starting a second store and the first thing I'm gonna purchase is another licence for the Phoenix POS software to the tune of ~$1800, and i'll be happy to hand over every penny.  If I couldn't afford that software I wouldn't even waste my time starting another store.  I've used it for the past 4-5 months and w/o ever trying any other software, I can say quite comfortably that its the best software  in the business.  It will pay for every red cent it cost me and then some

You don't have to use Phoenix (although I highly recommend it) but I agree w/ TW, if you can't afford decent software, you probably aught not be in the business

[twinvid]

I think that you are both over stating the significance of the POS software in determining whether or not a store is sucsessful or not.

I have more than double thhe store that I bought over the past 3 1/2 yrs even though I am using a DOS based system that was there that at the time the previous owners got it it was FREE.

True it is cumbersome to work with and more difficult to get the management information that I  would like but I can still rent out movies and games just fine.

Location, customer service and competitiveness in the market place are far more important in the sucsess factor than is the POS system.

If you don't have those 3 things you can have the most state of the art software available and you will still fail.

Bob

[videosilva]

Totally agree Thomas.   I didn't want to be mean but I'm sorry, the guy who said he just got the 69.99 software?     Are you kidding me?  This is a tough game as it is and succeeding in it will be tough even for the smartest, hardest working people, but $70 software?   You plan on competing w/ the big boys using $70 software?

I'm starting a second store and the first thing I'm gonna purchase is another licence for the Phoenix POS software to the tune of ~$1800, and i'll be happy to hand over every penny.  If I couldn't afford that software I wouldn't even waste my time starting another store.  I've used it for the past 4-5 months and w/o ever trying any other software, I can say quite comfortably that its the best software  in the business.  It will pay for every red cent it cost me and then some

You don't have to use Phoenix (although I highly recommend it) but I agree w/ TW, if you can't afford decent software, you probably aught not be in the business

Let me tell you a little about me ( as you mention " THE GUY")

This " THE GUY" has been in and out of the Video Business for nearly 30 years and is quite capable of understanding what is needed.

FYI We bought on of the Original video store programs in the ball park of 6-10 thousand dollars including software, computer, printer etc.

[videosilva]

I think that you are both over stating the significance of the POS software in determining whether or not a store is sucsessful or not.

I have more than double thhe store that I bought over the past 3 1/2 yrs even though I am using a DOS based system that was there that at the time the previous owners got it it was FREE.

True it is cumbersome to work with and more difficult to get the management information that I  would like but I can still rent out movies and games just fine.

Location, customer service and competitiveness in the market place are far more important in the sucsess factor than is the POS system.

If you don't have those 3 things you can have the most state of the art software available and you will still fail.

Bob

Sorry, Bob you forgot the most important element " LUCK".

[twinvid]

Paul

I think if you have the location, customer service and are competitive you make a lot of your own luck.

Bob

[CHICAGOTOM]

Next to location, the software that you choose is probably the second most important decision that you will make. Sorry if I sound a bit cynical but if you can't afford the software to run your business you do not belong in the business.

We used Take1 for 10 years and last year we converted to Tempus...BOTH software program SUCK in their own special way...as far as I know there is no program available that does NOT suck

Of the 2 programs I think Take1 sucks LESS

[EVW]

Sliva, is this a business to you or more of a hobby?  I guess thats an important question if you want to have a discussion about software, or any expense for that matter.

If this is a hobby to you then were comparing apples to oranges and we won't likely ever see eye to eye.  Don't get me wrong, I've had an absolute blast starting my first store and now getting ready for a second.  More fun that I can ever recall doing anything in my life, but I intend for this to make money whether I'm here or not.  That's a business.

There are no guarantees in business.  I may or may not succeed.  The thing you have to think about is this:  If I don't make it w/ the Phoenix software I sure as hell wouldn't make it w/ 4POS turns agreed?  Obviously that's a safe assumption, we can agree there.

The question is whether I will make up the $1700 difference from all the different infomation, reports, speed, convienence, etc. of running better software.  If I make it in the business, I will.  Period.  If I don't make it, I'm out $1700.  Nothing to sneeze at, true, but chump change in the whole scope of things don't ya think?

The only national chain still growing and prospering is switching everything over from DOS based to Windows. Why?  They were already making it using DOS, so why upgrade?  Something to think about..

Don't take my opinion personally Sliva.  It's just that, an opinion.  No need to get all worked up, I just don't think you're doing the new guys any favors.  Your using 4POS turns with *30 years* experience in the biz.  They'd be using it with 0 years experience.  No matter how you slice it, thats a HUGE difference.

One final thing, if you've been in and out of the bisiness for 30 years, you have a TON of knowlege.  I'd love to hear your opinion on any topic, even if I don't agree.  Different opinions are how we learn.  Sorry if you took it peronally.

[lanna5]

Next to location, the software that you choose is probably the second most important decision that you will make. Sorry if I sound a bit cynical but if you can't afford the software to run your business you do not belong in the business.

I wasn't asking your opinion on whether or not I should be in business, I was asking if anyone had ever used Video Vision and has switched to a new software. I am very happy with my software but if I want to use Rentrak, I need to switch to another system. I'm finding the software available is very "generic" in comparison to what I'm using and are double the cost. I'm glad you don't have to worry about cost in your business. Thanks for your help.