2014 Review of Cougar Mountain Software Denali Point of Sale

BASIC SYSTEM FUNCTIONS: 4.75 STARS

The Denali interface is designed for ease of use, with users having the option to use the system menu bar or simply access available modules directly from the toolbar. All point of sales functions are found in Denali’s Sales module, making it easy for users to manage sales data, enter and maintain separate departments and system registers. Users have the option to customize the point of sale interface to better suit their needs.

Common tasks such as register balancing, creating and posting sales transactions, and direct point of sale entry are all easily accessible from a central location. Entering a sales transaction is straight-forward, with users able to choose the type of transaction they wish to enter. Multiple transaction types are easily entered in Denali, such as a regular sale, invoicing, item holds, and layaways. Cashiers can also opt to enter quick sales, without attaching the sale to any particular customer.

Quick lookup options allow users to easily find existing customers and products or enter new ones on the fly. Users can choose to enter product codes or scan items directly. The left side of Denali’s sales entry screen provides tabs designed for gift cards, customer history, notes, and options. Clicking on a tab will automatically display all available options found within that tab.

Denali Point of Sale is available in three versions: POS Basecamp, which includes POS, Inventory, and Specialty Shop modules; POS Ascent, which is the mid-level edition, and includes POS, Inventory, AP, Purchase Order, and Crystal Reports modules as well as both training and support; and POS Summit, the most comprehensive edition, which features POS, GL, Bank Reconciliation, AR, AP, Inventory, Specialty Shop, Purchase Order, Multi-Location Inventory, IVault Online Backup modules as well as training and support. Denali also offers additional modules, including e-Commerce Integration, Bar Code Integration, Single Point Server, Aatrix eFile Tax Forms, and Specialty Shop Software.

Users can opt to have Denali products pre-installed on a server or can choose to utilize the convenient cloud-based option, for even more flexibility. System security is tight, with all point of sale users assigned a code in order to access the system. Managers can easily assign security levels relevant to an employee’s job, and cashiers can have financial limitations such as maximum check amounts acceptable or credit/debit card limits set by management. The Controller module offers allows managers to set system access limits in other modules as well.

Denali’s user interface is fully customizable, with users able to create a custom sales entry layout to suit their needs. The excellent Sales Dashboard offers a quick look a specific data such as weekly sales, top sales by product, and top salesperson. The system contains lookup fields throughout the software. Denali’s Point of Sale product can be easily used at a single location as well as multiple store locations. Users can easily process multiple transaction types from a single screen.

Inventory options are flexible, with Denali offering up to six pricing levels for each product including List, Margin, Markup, Level List, Level Margin, and Level Markup. The Multi-Inventory module allows users to easily manage inventory at several different locations, and the e-Commerce module allows businesses with a strong brick and mortar presence to integrate easily with online sales.

SPECIALIZED FEATURES/SERVICES: 4.25 STARS

For retailers with a strong online presence, the e-Commerce module allows users to track and manage inventory levels no matter where the sale takes place. Retailers can accept multiple tender types using Denali Point of Sale, including gift cards and EBT transactions. Users can choose to process a quick sale or manage customer history using as much detail as they would like. Cashiers can also opt to view customer detail while processing a sale, making corrections, additions, or adjustments as needed. For those selling age-restricted items such as alcohol and cigarettes, the Specialty Shop Software module prompts cashiers to ask for age-verification at the time of the transaction. Custom or gift retailers also have the option to utilize both gift and rewards cards if desired.

TRACKING/REPORTING: 4.75 STARS

Denali offers users a wide variety of standard reports, and users are able to customize reports as needed. Denali also works seamlessly with Crystal Reports to deliver detailed custom reports.

Denali uses a batch system, so reports are updated systematically after all batches are posted. Inventory reports such as the Inventory History report detail product movement for each item in inventory. Users can also track movement of sales items with the Promotional Sales Inventory report. Point of Sales reports, such as Sales by Item and Sales by Department, can provide information on both product and employee performance for any given period of time. Users can track customer history including buying history and products purchased using the AR module or the Sales module. Denali contains thorough audit trail functionality, with all transactions recorded in the system and available for review. The optional PDF Blaster module allows users to convert invoices and statements to PDF format and email to customers as needed.

INTEGRATION/IMPORT/EXPORT: 4.5 STARS

Denali is a modular system, with all modules integrating for front/back office management. The availability of three product editions, each targeted to a specific market, allows users to choose a product today and be able to expand and upgrade at a later date if necessary. Users can also choose to add a module to their system at any time, regardless of the edition purchased. Solid integration with third-party software products allows even further system customization, and Denali also integrates with a variety of POS hardware peripherals such as registers, cash drawers, data collectors, pin pads, check readers, pole displays, credit card readers, and bar code scanners. While users can set up shipping options in Denali, there is no integrated shipping option available at this time.

HELP/SUPPORT: 5 STARS

Cougar Mountain offers users a variety of support options. The Software Assurance option is available in both the POS Ascent and Summit software bundles, or can be purchased separately. Software Assurance includes two hours of system support and two hours of training. Other options are available to users as well. Cougar Mountain has an informative website which offers registered product users quick access for system updates, FAQ’s, and other support options at any time. Various training options are also available, including both on-site and live online training.

Best Fit: With the addition of three versions of its software, Cougar Mountain can prove to be a good fit with its traditional audience of small to mid-sized businesses as well as larger specialty retailers.

Strengths

Affordable for retailers of just about any size
Available in server/cloud editions
Modular design allows users to scale the system to suit their needs
Solid reporting options
Customizable, user-friendly interface

Potential Weaknesses

Not available as a touch screen product
Not well-suited for processing large numbers of mail orders
Does not support membership programs

SUMMARY & PRICING

Users can structure Denali to suit their needs, purchasing only the modules they need. Denali’s POS module is designed to integrate with other system modules. Extremely flexible, each Denali module can be purchased separately, with modules starting at $595.00, with license fees additional. The cloud version of Denali starts at $83.00 per user per month.

2014 OVERALL RATING: 4.75 STARS