Software +'s and -'s

[STTANS]

I am currently using Tan Track but am considering switching to another software. Anyone have any recommendations? Pluses and Minuses are greatly appreicated.

[Natureboy]

Salontouch recent versions are good. Salontouch seems to have the most reporting and promoting capabilities from what I have heard.

[zoom]

go with Helios v12 or wait for Hyperion!

[EliteMike]

After seeing first hand what Helios can do. My vote is for recent salontouch versions. I am still using an older version right now though.

[zoom]

better get your eyes checked!

[EliteMike]

I don't have time to go round and round with you zoom.

Helios is NOT user friendly compared to most other POS systems out there. It looks like usability was an afterthought. I'm by no means saying that salon touch is perfect, but after talking with people, there's really nothing helios does that would make me want to switch over.

[SandiGirl]

Originally Posted by STTANS

I am currently using Tan Track but am considering switching to another software. Anyone have any recommendations? Pluses and Minuses are greatly appreicated.

Are you not getting all the demos and trying them out?

[zoom]

i just know too many people that left salontouch for helios! plus i reviewed it extensively and it is just an inferior product but hey use it i dont care!

[frankie]

I don`t know about Salon Touch but Helios is so much more user friendly than Sunlync. If you are thinking about switching I would consider getting all the demo`s and trying them out first. I think Sunlync forgot about the employee when they developed the POS.

[EliteMike]

so tell us, how is helios SOOOO much better than salontouch???? I'm sure people have left helios for many reasons as well.

[Sunquest4me]

I have been looking at Helios and probably will go with them, I based my decision on having family owning and operating two salons with Helios and they have been running the system for some time now and they recommended it first off. Another reason I will choose Helios is that I can remotely (internet) monitor my salon wherever I am as along as I have internet. I have looked at other software however I don't believe any of the others offer remote access.

[sparky]

They all have their pros and cons.

I started out on SunTouch back in the day, and couldn't wait to get out of it once I learned the business / software.

I can't begin to compare as I haven't worked with Salontouch /SunTouch in many years, but have seen it in other salons.

Helios 11 has some limitations, as do many others, but to me the benefits outweigh in the end.

Remote Internet Access through BackOffice to view/download/change any or all data as you desire.

Helios can be configured as simply or as detailed as you want.

Want a single code "T" to tan anyone over multiple packages and memberships, no problem.

Helios is all Keyboard driven, for quick and easy entry of a client. From my memory, ST was keyboard, keyboard, mouse, mouse, key, mouse, mouse, key, mouse, etc.

Helios will not let you void a tan after 60 seconds of bed running, avoiding a situation where the client tans for 18 minutes, then transaction is voided, putting the sale $$ in operators pocket.

The infamous Date Error is set up to not allow employees to back date a transaction to do the same thing, pocket monies from a sale.

Not sure how EFT's are handled in Salon Touch now, but with Helios it's completely self-contained.

Run EFT's and declined transactions are auto-posted to client account, no third party interaction req'd. When payment is made, client status brought automatically to current. Re-run of EFT's with one-click.

just a few thoughts for the morning.

[EliteMike]

Salon Touch Handles all EFTs internally. If you want to have multiple dates to process, you can do that.

Salon touch can be touch driven. keyboard entry is for text input.


The main fact is if I have someone one walk me through helios, i can point out the things that salon touch is better with. Same goes with me walking someone through salontouch.

No need to remember 235432432 codes, much more visual than helios

Wait list is actually a little more useful than helios

Remote access built into the software isn't completely useful to me. I don't know back office, but if its' not the full app, then i don't want it. I prefer using a remote app to get at my machine. I also custom built a web dashboard to see the information i really care about remotely.

I think both programs are overly complex. I've been throwing around ideas with some others for some time now and if i ever get the time to really start the project it would be a POS first, with the ability to add on.

[sparky]

I think it's really similar to the VHS vs Betamax discussions back in the day.

Neither one is perfect, they both do the job, each better in some ways, and worse off in others, then it's competitor.

One of the issues is there are 1,000's of ways to configure and sell our services in the salon environment, and very few are exactly alike.

Remote access built into the software isn't completely useful to me. I don't know back office, but if its' not the full app, then i don't want it

The only two things I can not do in BackOffice is turn on a bed, and run EFT's.
The first I could care less about, and the second .............................

[Sun Sations]

I am with Helios and I find their support to be very rude. I have only called once and been satisfyed with my service..

[Sweetday]

Here's my 2 cents worth on Helios. It has great functionality and does everything I need it to do. Some things it could do better and I could suggest some additional features.

Here are a couple things I would like to bring up: 1. They've always said that the data in Helios is secure; which was false, until version 12. I don't want to exploit how easy it is to get to all the data here, but Helios' response to me was that most people don't know. Version 12 uses SQL server which has security built into it. 2. If you are on the Helios monthly plan the terms and agreements state that you get updates and upgrades. Why are they charging people to "upgrade" to version 12? Data conversion is usually built into a software upgrade or there is a conversion tool developed to do it for you.

[southmike]

here is my take ..

if you have a new computer that is a 64 bit os,your in trouble with salontouch until upgrades are made.

if you want a multi station network setup, the full salontouch is closer to 1400( note that an extra 500 or so is the salon part ie, nails, massage etc)
if you want support salontouch is 69 bucks a month extra .
if you want support on the weekend it is extra period, support contract or not. big minus for me when you figure $800 you pay for support.
salon touch is not very easy to install and use at first, but def request the install flash videos.

but their tech support is really good. and pretty quick to respond .

Now salon touch does a have an online version that is a flat montly charge, no idea of weather it includes support or not but seems like a better route to me .

since you don't have a huge cash outlay upfront , only to still get hammered with a monthly mait contract.
to be honest I find flaws with most of the salon software i looked at, the ones i liked could not do my spa side or could not control timers etc..

everyone complained that helios was in your pocket, but i don't see ST being much better.