Rachael Pritz | Vice President | RB Retail & Service Solutions
AQUA: As retailers head into the 2025 season, how can industry-specific pool and spa business software help pool and spa retailers make smarter, more data-driven decisions?
Rachael Pritz, RB Retail & Service Solutions: Unlike off-the-shelf software solutions, industry-specific pool and spa business software offers powerful tools for business owners because it provides the data and insights needed for pool and spa businesses to quickly adapt and respond to rapidly shifting market conditions.
As our industry prepares for a potential recession, it’s essential for specialty retailers to collect all business data in ONE system that can be accessed at ANY time. In particular, having complete vendor integrations with all distributors and suppliers will ensure optimal inventory levels and up-to-the-minute product costs to ensure both proper pricing and to have the right products on-hand in the busy summer months.
RB’s Industry-Specific software provides real-time data immediately, allowing pool and spa businesses to adjust and implement strategies based on market changes. RB Retail & Service Software is designed and continuously updated by veteran industry experts to provide a completely integrated software system that manages ALL business processes from sales and purchasing to billing, service and marketing, so business owners can quickly adapt to ever-changing market conditions.
AQUA: From your perspective, what are some of the most common inefficiencies in pool and spa retail operations, and how can the right software help improve business?
RP: The most common inefficiencies in pool and spa retail operations arise from using multiple disconnected systems that fail to integrate customer information, inventory, and accounts receivable. This often results in time-consuming double or triple data entry, which often leads to errors. With fierce competition among pool and spa businesses and consumers becoming more cautious in their purchasing decisions, it’s crucial to leverage every available technology tool to safeguard profit margins, control inventory, and provide exceptional customer service. For example, our clients routinely mention our Water Lab Sync integration being particularly helpful during the busy summer months because it saves time and provides invaluable information to increase revenues and profits. Water Lab Sync connects with industry-leading water testing software to eliminate double data entry into two systems and allows users to look up past water test results, saving time at the water lab and cash register — not to mention providing improved levels of customer service. Customers love that the Water Lab Sync functionality combines with our Mobile Live Service app so service technicians no longer need to bring paperwork back to the office but instead, use their mobile device in the field.
Another common inefficiency for pool and spa businesses is the lack of an e-commerce option. Today’s consumers expect to be able to search, shop, and request delivery online when they are too busy to visit your store. RB Retail & Service Solutions offers a “Shopping Cart” software feature designed specifically for pool and spa businesses that were not originally equipped with e-commerce. This feature provides a complete shopping experience with an easy checkout process that handles credit card payments and offers curbside pickup or delivery. Retailers have reported that e-commerce has helped expand their sales and profits. Additionally, using an online bill pay system creates a reliable billing process that makes it easier and more convenient for customers to pay their bills. Retailers also note that their marketing reach has expanded by utilizing their online store to attract customers who might not typically visit a brick-and-mortar location.
By eliminating inefficiencies caused by multiple systems, including manual paper-based systems, businesses could open up 20 hours per week for employees to follow up on sales leads, make additional service calls, or assist customers in-store during peak seasons — imagine the additional revenues and growth for your business!
AQUA: Are there any new tools, features, or integrations from RB Retail & Service Solutions that retailers should be excited about?
RP: Our customers are loving two new tools: Smart Pay and Sales Order Auto Batch! RB Smart Pay introduces new functionality that simplifies passing along credit card fees to consumers. Retailers can easily determine what percentage (between 0 and 4%) of each transaction to charge as a “program fee” within the Smart Pay business software module. Once the percentage is set, it automatically calculates and adds the program fee to the transaction total whenever an electronic payment method is used. This allows retailers to pass along the cost of credit card fees to increase profits, quickly and automatically. Additionally, the new Sales Order Auto Batch feature streamlines operations by converting sales orders in bulk with just a few clicks for every customer using a tokenized payment method. This feature boosts accuracy with automated, seamless payment handling to reduce errors. Designed with efficiency in mind, it simplifies both payment processing and sales order management, giving owners more time to focus on growing their business.
