General Facts

General Facts about SBS and Keystroke POS:

Who is Specialized Business Solutions? What is Keystroke POS? Is Keystroke CISP compliant? How does Keystroke compare to other POS systems? Can Keystroke handle the demands of my business?

Who is Specialized Business Solutions?

Specialized Business Solutions ("SBS"), incorporated in California in 1988, is dedicated to providing software and related services for transaction-intensive businesses in the retail, wholesale, mail order, and service sectors. SBS is the developer and publisher of the Keystroke POS point of sale software system and KashBox Payment Processing Software (www.KashBox.com).

SBS has two permanent office locations. Our Research & Development office, in Long Beach, California (about 20 miles south of Los Angeles, near popular Southern California beaches), is where most of the product development, software programming, technical writing and testing takes place. The R&D office also handles some technical support services. The majority of our staff works in our Sales and Service office, which is located in Dillon, Colorado (about 60 miles west of Denver, near popular Rocky Mountain ski resorts). This office provides most of our service activities, including sales, marketing, technical support, and shipment of software updates and product information.

The entire staff at SBS takes great pride in not only publishing quality software, but also in our ability to provide prompt and friendly service to our customers. Rather than relying on pushy sales tactics, our success is driven by sincere loyalty from our customers who appreciate our honest approach to doing business.

One unique aspect of SBS (as far as software companies go) is that when you call, an actual person answers the phone (not a machine), and that person can usually assist you immediately. This is true for both sales and technical support calls. In fact, although we have separate 800 numbers for sales and support calls, they ring in on the same set of phone lines and are answered by the same people. Our sales and technical support staff are one and the same and are not paid by commission, which also means that we will not make inflated promises just to make a sale.

What is Keystroke POS?

Keystroke Point Of Sale is a computer program that enables a standard PC to operate as a cash register, and at the same time provides a complete retail management system. While the Keystroke POS system offers far more capabilities than a traditional cash register (such as inventory control, clerk management, and accounts receivable), it’s also faster and easier to use!

Keystroke POS improves the efficiency and profitability of businesses by capturing information as it occurs, and making data instantly available whenever it is needed... only a keystroke away! When a transaction is entered, all related databases are immediately updated and the information remains available virtually forever. Keystroke’s historical data tracking and extensive reporting capabilities will help your business prosper among even the larger and more automated competitors.

Keystroke will not manage your business for you, nor will it tell you how to run your business; it is a tool you can use to collect, organize, regulate, and access information about your business. Using Keystroke will help you to identify areas where you can improve the profitability of your business, and reduce the number of hours you spend doing so. While Keystroke handles the retail counter, inventory, and most other day-to-day tasks, it can also serve as the front end for most accounting systems.

Keystroke POS is the perfect solution to improve the management of nearly any retail, wholesale, or service organization. Thousands of prosperous businesses across the country rely upon Keystroke POS software and Specialized Business Solutions’ support services to help them manage sales and purchasing, inventory control, customer tracking, employee monitoring, and many other essential business tasks. We’re confident you too will find Keystroke to be a profitable addition to your business.

Is Keystroke POS CISP compliant (the VISA USA Cardholder Information Security Program)?

Specialized Business Solutions (SBS) is the developer and publisher of Keystroke POS software. SBS recommends that customers using Keystroke POS software utilize the security features available in the software and remain proactive in managing the specific risks associated with the handling of credit card and other payment data. The Visa USA Cardholder Information Security Program (CISP) was developed to help merchants and service providers keep sensitive cardholder data safe from hackers and possible fraud.

SBS recommends merchants adhere to the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standards which are the foundation of the Visa USA CISP. Complete information regarding CISP and PCI can be found on the Visa USA web site at www.USA.Visa.com/business. This web site includes invaluable merchant resources, including a listing of verified CISP Compliant Service Providers.

While the CISP and PCI standards primarily address measures required of individual merchants and merchant service providers, SBS voluntarily considers these standards in the development of software applications. Keystroke POS does not retain full magnetic stripe data or CVV2 data. Storage of payment card data is limited to account numbers and expiration dates, and is protected by encryption and display masking. The Keystroke POS software application also offers extensive security features such as user passwords, security levels, and activity logs.

No amount of software security precautions can ensure absolute protection from a diligent hacker or trusted employee with ill intentions. Proper use of the software and the safeguard of data from access by unauthorized outside sources is the responsibility of the end-user. SBS encourages customers to maximize security in the use of Keystroke software in their business operations, and recommends merchants make every possible effort to comply with CISP and PCI and continuously review all areas of potential security risk.

How does Keystroke compare to other POS systems?

Of course we’ll tell you that Keystroke is the best! Fortunately, other people are also saying good things about our company and products. As consistently indicated in industry trade magazines and independent surveys, Keystroke is certainly among the top-rated point of sale and inventory control software packages. Since most magazine publishers are highly dependent on advertising dollars, they are understandably hesitant to print much more than basic reviews of product features. However, the fact that Keystroke has been consistently included in editorial product roundups which focus on POS/IC systems does demonstrate that it is one of the best software programs in its class.

Even as far back as in 1997, in a study conducted by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and IBM, Keystroke and SBS received higher ratings than all other competitive products/companies surveyed in nearly all categories measured. This study, executed by the J.C. Williams Group, an independent retail market research firm, asked customers of six of the top-rated POS software providers to rate numerous aspects of the software, software publisher, and local resellers. Keystroke has also been included in such editorial coverage in well known publications such as: Computer Reseller News, Independent Business Magazine, CPA Software News, Retail Systems Reseller, Bicycle Dealer Showcase, Reseller World, PC World, and many others.

Most of the published reviews on POS products focus on general retail packages. There are also POS systems available for specific retail sectors (e.g., bicycles, lighting fixtures, books, pool & spa supplies, salons, etc.). In comparison to such systems, Keystroke offers some important advantages: lower price, greater depth of features, number of installs, staff experience, and many more. Many of these systems are developed and sold by folks who know their trade, but not necessarily the computer/software business. Not only are such systems typically more expensive, they often lack features and flexibility since these developers tend to expect all similar businesses to work exactly the same as theirs – which is not always true.

Can Keystroke handle the demands of my business?

Most likely, yes. However, you and a local Authorized Keystroke Dealer should review all the requirements you and your business have of such a software system before you purchase Keystroke. We can tell you the strengths and limitations of Keystroke and about other businesses for whom it works very well. Whether Keystroke will work for you will be mainly determined by factors such as the number of inventory items, number of customers, number of registers, transaction volume requirements, and any very unique needs your business may have.

Keystroke is capable of managing approximately 65,000 database records in each database (Inventory items, Customers, Vendors, Clerks). The Inventory database can be expanded using the Matrix Manager to group like items into a single Inventory record with sub-records representing different colors, sizes, shapes, styles, etc. (i.e., clothing, shoes, screws, bolts, nails, etc.). This easily fits the needs of most retail operations, with a few exceptions such as general auto-parts stores and very large book distributors. To give you some perspective on this size of an inventory, even a typical full-service grocery store carries fewer than 50,000 items.

The number of computers/registers on which the Keystroke system can be used simultaneously is determined by the number of User Licenses purchased. A "10-User" package becomes an "Unlimited Network" package, which is actually only limited in terms of speed, practicality, and the capabilities of the installed hardware and network operating system. In other words, whether a store has 10 registers or 25, the 3-User Network System with seven Additional User Licenses will suffice.

Keystroke is currently used on as many as 30 registers in retail outlets such as health food stores, pet supply stores, and building supply & home centers! Some of the most impressive statistics reported by Keystroke users include: over 600 transactions per hour, over 5000 transactions per day, and over $200,000 gross sales per day. Although there really are no set limitations on number of registers or transaction entry rate for Keystroke, we do not recommend Keystroke in stores that exceed these figures.

One of Keystroke’s most distinguishing attributes is its ability to handle unusual situations and setups. If you think your business has very unique requirements (e.g., unusual pricing schemes or customer demographics tracking), please consult with a local Authorized Keystroke Dealer or call SBS to learn how Keystroke POS can meet your business's needs.