| p>Employee theft costs companies billions of | | | | to properly read the data it makes it possible for |
| dollars a year and the tanning industry is no | | | | salon owners to start making educated decisions |
| exception. There are several different forms of | | | | about marketing, employee training, and employee |
| employee theft. The simplest form of employee | | | | compensation. Of course the data is only worth |
| embezzlement is taking money or goods from | | | | something if it has been taken in an accurate and |
| the salon owner. The easier to cover up and | | | | consistent manner. If there are consistent |
| most likely bigger form of theft for salon owners | | | | overrides to the system then the data is |
| is when employees give discounts on tans and | | | | incomplete and will not provide as valuable |
| tanning lotion to friends or accepting cash on the | | | | feedback as it would if every transaction was |
| side for free tanning. Before computers and | | | | entered into the tanning salon software |
| electronic control it was much harder to | | | | accurately. |
| accurately control and monitor this "sweet | | | | Tanning software began to become prevalent in |
| hearting" than it is today. Thankfully, now there | | | | the 80's and has continued to get better and |
| are many forms of tanning salon software | | | | better with every new version that is released. |
| available. Not only does the software help a | | | | Currently there are four major programs to |
| salon operate more efficiently , but it tracks | | | | choose from, Tan Track, Helios, Sun Lync, and |
| every transaction and helps in preventing theft. | | | | Sun Touch. Each has its advantages and |
| By restricting access to certain areas of the | | | | disadvantages. Many factors should go into the |
| software a salon owner can safely know that his | | | | decision making process when it comes to |
| employees are being honest. With the help of | | | | choosing the right one. First, if the software is |
| software, accurately tracking and managing | | | | only going to be used at one location it is different |
| inventory takes very little time. Because it is | | | | then if multiple salons must be linked together. It |
| being tracked in real-time it is much easier to | | | | is also important to note the difference in price |
| determine if an employee is stealing lotion or | | | | for each software. Some charge a large one |
| selling it under the table and pocketing the cash. | | | | time fee up front and other charge on a monthly |
| If missing inventory becomes a problem it is | | | | basis for support and credit card processing. |
| recommended that you do inventory reports at | | | | Most of the tanning salon point of sale software |
| every shift change. This will make it clear on | | | | companies offer free trials and also free data |
| whose shift the product was stolen. | | | | conversion from the competitors. If you are |
| Having the ability to track every transaction and | | | | considering switching it is advised that you set-up |
| pull reports can be the difference between a | | | | a laptop next to your current POS computer and |
| good salon and a great one. Getting the reports | | | | run the two program side by side for awhile until |
| is the easy part, deciphering the data and | | | | you are comfortable that the new software can |
| successfully utilizing it is the more difficult and | | | | do everything that you require it to. Make sure |
| important part. Standard reports include | | | | that you use some time of timer manager |
| demographic, zip codes, sales by item, average | | | | hooked directly to the computer to control your |
| sales, average lotion sales, coupon redemption, | | | | tanning beds and tanning booths. |
| and individual employee sales figures. By learning | | | | |