>Hi,
>I am trying to restructure my company core software, Stock Control system.
>After a period of time of survey in market, we have get the requirement of the software.
>At this moment, we are trying to provide POS software for retails, fashion, F&B and services industry. Currently, we have F&B and retails edition in production. Do you think I should merge all of these into one version? Since most of the functions are same, but table structure may be vary abit.
>
>Pls advise.
>Thank you

You know - you could do the merge and they would all work together. From a technical point of view (as well as a support view) it would make sense. What do your sales people think of the idea? If the system is not going to expand into servicing other areas of a particular markets operation, it may make sense.

Some prospects might find a generalized solution okay. We have all seen generalized solutions for managing the books. Do your compeditors have cross-market POS platforms?

It seems that the more generalized a package becomes, especially a POS front end, the more complex the install, setup, documentation and support would be. Perhaps your sales people and customers could give you a better answer.

If you decided to sell the company someday, would a prospective buyer like to seen a variety of products (that, in the core. are really the same), or would that prospect be more inclined to buy the company if you had one - big - one size fits all solutions.

For accounting systems, one size fits all seems to work (look at Quicken!). But for billing/POS systems you might need (so it seems) to determine how your various market segments would react. I get warm and fuzzy when I look at stuff that makes me feel special.

2 cents off :-)