Auto-Star Compusystems is excited to announce the release of version 8.3.5 of our Star-Plus point of sale software! This update brings over 150 new features designed to enhance store functionality, improve customization, and optimize efficiency for both staff and customers. Here’s a breakdown of the latest enhancements:
Surcharge and Tips
To better support stores that offer debit and credit payment functionality, the 8.3.5 release introduces two key features:
- Credit Surcharge: For stores using Datacap NETePay Hosted debit/credit, Star-Plus now includes the ability to add a credit surcharge to transactions. This enables businesses to pass on the cost of credit card processing fees directly to customers.
- Tips Integration: A tip prompt during debit/credit payments has been added for stores using CTMS Restpay (Canada/US) or EasyCheckout via Datacap/Mercury dsiEMVUS and Datacap NETePay Hosted. This is particularly beneficial for service-oriented businesses that rely on tipping.
Star-Plus Item Editor and ‘Big Comments’
Introducing the Item Editor, an alternative to Product Manager, with a cleaner, more modern interface:
- Customizable Display: Users can personalize the appearance of the program by modifying color schemes and layout, making it easier to access the specific data they need.
- Big Comments: The new support for ‘big comments’ allows for extended, formatted text, making it easy to include detailed product information, ingredient lists, terms and conditions, and more.
Rentals Module for Home Health Care Equipment!
We’re excited to introduce the Rentals Module, designed to help your pharmacy expand services and boost revenue by offering home health equipment rentals. Here’s what you get:
- Effortless Rentals: Hold and track deposits, and easily manage rental contracts—all in one place.
- Organized Customer Info: A new Rentals tab in Customer Editor tracks rental history for better service.
- Powerful Dashboard & Reporting: Stay on top of rental performance with an easy-to-use dashboard and detailed reports.
Till Screen Editor
Customization just got easier with the Till Screen Editor, available on the Till Apps & Parameters tab of the Menu:
- Visual Editor: This feature allows store managers to easily customize the look and functionality of the C# Till interface, streamlining the process of making changes without the need to repeatedly start the till to verify the outcome. You can now preview changes directly in the editor.
Prescriptions in Self-Checkout for Star-Plus
Improving convenience for pharmacies, prescription barcodes can now be scanned and processed through self-checkout:
- Unified Transaction: Customers can pay for prescriptions along with their other purchases at the self-checkout kiosk, reducing the need for separate transactions and allowing pharmacy staff to focus on other tasks.
Signature Capture via Web Cam
For cases where signatures cannot be captured electronically, Star-Plus 8.3.5 now supports:
- Web Cam Signature Capture: After printing a slip for the customer to sign, staff can use a web cam to attach an image of the signature to the transaction record. This feature ensures that signed documentation is linked to the corresponding sale for future reference.
GS1 AI (8112) Coupons for PLUs
Stores using GS1 AI (8112) coupons will now benefit from:
- Expanded Support for PLUs: These coupons can now be applied to items with 1 to 6-digit barcodes, commonly found on scaled items. This ensures that stores can accommodate a wider range of coupon types, offering more savings to customers.
Star-Plus Report Builder Speed Enhancements
Speed matters, especially when it comes to report generation. The new update includes:
- Faster Report Generation: Improvements to the Report Builder have significantly reduced the time it takes to generate frequently used reports, including Daily Cash, Movement, Sales Analysis, and Value Analysis.
Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) SIL Import
A new tool for stores working with AWG:
- SIL Import Functionality: Star-Plus now supports importing SIL (Standard Interchange Language) files provided by Associated Wholesale Grocers. This helps streamline the process of creating new items, updating costs and prices, managing promotions, and applying price allowances.
Inventory Counting – Saving Reports
To simplify the audit process:
- Automatic Report Saving: When inventory counting is finalized, copies of the associated reports will be automatically saved to the database. These reports can be reprinted as needed, reducing the risk of lost data and making inventory audits more efficient.
The 8.3.5 release of Auto-Star’s Star-Plus software introduces a wealth of new features designed to improve efficiency, security, and flexibility for retailers. From enhanced payment options like surcharges and tips to customizable tools like the Item Editor and Till Screen Editor, this update provides everything stores need to streamline their operations and enhance the customer experience. Be sure to take advantage of these new features and elevate your retail operations to the next level!
For more details on the 8.3.5, please read our Release Notes on the Auto-Star wiki!
