“We have always wanted to find a Point of Sale (POS) system that we could make our own rather than just using what was sent by manufactures. Even with the best care in the world cards end up looking dog-eared; they become like wallpaper and it’s hard to notice them” explains Woodhouse.

Woodhouse discovered the De-pict system at a conference and was instantly inspired; “I thought, what a great idea. This was good looking, easy to update and it really caught my attention. The best of all worlds really.”

Woodhouse Opticians now has three screens mounted on a wooden cabinet, with frame bars mounted on the reverse. This maximises the use of the cabinet. All cabinets are custom built by De-pict, and this one was made to match the wood finish of his existing practice furniture. The cabinet is on casters and can be moved from the waiting area to the window as required. He then has a further three screens in the wall at the other end of the practice. “We have had really positive feedback from our customers and we can get so much information across, everything from retinal imaging and messages to promotions of specific lenses and frames.”

Cannily, Woodhouse has talked a selected number of his suppliers into making a monthly contribution to ensure their products are featured prominently on the screens. “Basically I rent space so that the whole system is self funding,” he says. Have there been any teething problems? In the main no. However Woodhouse would like to see manufactures getting up to date information through at a quicker rate. All in all though, Woodhouse is delighted with this particular form of POS. “I think that this is a tangible clue that tells your customers that you are an up to date and modern practice; they see that you look after the outside and inside of the practice and they know that you will look after them as well, he says adding, “all in all its an absolutely great product that really gets product and clinical information across effectively, and it pays for itself; you don’t get much better than that.”

Reproduced from article in 'eyes' magazine October 2007.