Between the advent of artificial intelligence and the evolving behavior of consumers in a maturing market, the pressure is on for point-of-sale (POS) technology updates. Operators are on the hunt for efficiency, speed, and a level of user-friendliness that provides a seamless experience for employees and consumers alike.
With that in mind, BLAZE® is out to redefine the landscape with a brand-new POS system. According to co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Chris Violas, the company redeveloped the technology from the ground up, using client input to create a system that is faster, easier to use, and more affordable.
“Our new POS system was developed to give people an easy path for migration to our best-in-class tools for retailers,” Violas said. “That was the biggest complaint we’d received up until now—that the hardware was too expensive for people to make the switch. So, our solution is a hardware-agnostic, web-based POS system that supports both Windows and iOS [operating systems]. It’s twenty percent faster, requires fewer clicks, and is a lot easier to integrate and utilize.”
The team conducted more than 500 usability tests and beta-tested the system in fifteen dispensaries across six states to ensure a seamless and intuitive user experience. The extensive research covered not only the core system but also integrations with other BLAZE products like e-commerce and data insights. According to Violas, the result is a powerful, one-stop solution that ensures all aspects of a retail business—from sales and inventory to customer relationship management—are connected.
Standout features of the new POS system include:
- An integrated price-checker that provides budtenders and consumers with accurate pricing information as they browse instead of requiring merchandise to be in the shopping cart before prices are revealed.
- A seamless discount engine that enhances flexibility and efficiency by allowing discounts to be applied at any point in the sales process instead of only when the transaction is ready for completion.
- An innovative, easy-to-access customer notes interface that uses intuitive iconography to make important information available at a glance.
In addition to re-engineering its POS, BLAZE recently partnered with Weedmaps to launch a global product catalog, which some BLAZE customers reported is saving them from ten to more than thirty hours a month inputting and managing new products. The BLAZE global product catalog also standardizes product data across multiple locations, providing more consistent and accurate e-commerce menus.
The company’s integrated e-commerce platform, BLAZE ECOM™, has expanded from native online menus and kiosks to include mobile apps for dispensaries. The app functionality enabled the company to develop new in-app features such as Scan to Shop, which allows consumers to scan product QR codes in the store and check out independently using their smartphones. The Scan to Shop feature, combined with BLAZE’s integrated cashless payment solutions, has been instrumental in streamlining the in-store shopping experience as well as facilitating sample sales at cannabis events like Hall of Flowers and the Flower Expo, according to Violas.
“We’re dedicated to designing tech that anyone can learn in under three minutes,” he said. “A lot of our executives are former [operators], and I used to own and run my own dispensary. So, our feedback is solid because of how connected we still are to the ground floor. Whether someone wants to run a promotion or tap into new retail trends, we’re able to quickly understand what is going on and what is needed from us. And we continue to take feedback seriously, because we consider ourselves your partner, not just your provider.”
