DataWorks releases SmartSpoke POS interface

DataWorks, developer of NeXT inventory control software, announced the release of SmartSpoke, their fourth-generation point-of-sale interface system.

SmartSpoke builds on the traditional hub and spoke design by adding a revolutionary communication layer. The SmartSpoke interface features full customer database integration allowing any NeXT enterprise system user to do localized and global marketing, as well as, to do global customer management.

“Our headquarters’ software, NeXT, provides centralized control for multi-store retailers. NeXT prepares batches of encrypted inventory and price changes that sit behind a secure FTPS server waiting to be picked up by SmartSpoke,” said Mark Cecil, DataWorks CEO. “NeXT also prowls around its local system seeing if any SmartSpoke system has pushed new sales or customer information up from the field. Essentially, by switching the POS communication layer to be active rather than passive we have eliminated the need for any communication listener on the POS side.”

Besides the ease of communication, SmartSpoke guarantees POS security. Fully PCI compliant, SmartSpoke removes the risk from hacking.

“We are shipping SmartSpoke integrated to the Microsoft Dynamics® Retail Management System first,” Cecil adds. “We plan to follow the Microsoft work with full integration to the MICROS 9700 point-of- sale system. After that, who knows where the market will take us...”

Microsoft Dynamics RMS offers small and mid-market retailers a complete POS solution that can be adapted to meet unique retail requirements. This powerful software package automates POS processes and store operations and integrates with Microsoft Office system programs, Microsoft Dynamics GP, and other popular applications. Microsoft Dynamics RMS is built on a proven Microsoft platform that adapts to meet unique and changing retail needs.

“Microsoft RMS is a great stand-alone POS for traditional retail environments. With the interface to NeXT, it now allows enterprise retailers to leverage our centralized back office with their local POS. We extended the RMS ability to control and aggregate information among multiple locations,” said Cecil.