Punzel Ace Hardware Reaps Great Rewards with RockSolid

ECi RockSolid POS customer Punzel Ace Hardware

Jeff Punzel, Owner

Dealership:: Punzel Ace Hardware; Jefferson, Wisconsin
Industry:: Hardware
Affiliation:: Ace Hardware
In Business Since:: 2007

Punzel Ace Hardware uses:: POS software for hardware and lumber dealers

Punzel Ace Hardware is a locally owned and operated hardware store located in Jefferson, Wisconsin. Jeff Punzel purchased the store in 2007 and immediately converted to Ace Hardware.

“The previous store was using RockSolid and, after investigating its features, we decided to keep the system and use it in our Ace store,” says Jeff. “The entire product is exceptionally robust and technologically sound. It has always been fast and reliable. In four years, we have never had an issue that prevented the system from operating the store or checking out customers.

In four years, we have never had an issue that prevented the system from operating the store or checking out customers.

“We were primarily looking for POS checkout functionality, accounts receivable for house accounts and inventory control. We also needed to be able to process Ace Gift Cards and Ace Rewards cards. We readily found a way within the existing RockSolid system to process the Ace Gift cards, but not Ace Rewards."

"We grew our customer base quickly when we added Ace Rewards"

“We were unaware of the many customers who chose not to shop at our store because we weren’t processing the Ace Rewards card they had acquired at another location,” relates Jeff about the early days of his store. “Once we began promoting the program, word spread quickly and those customers now shop locally at our store.

“Our customers are extremely excited about the program and we saw an immediate jump in daily customer transactions. We signed up over 100 new Ace Rewards customers in the first week alone! Customers are amazed at how easy it is to sign up and pleased to learn that their current transaction will begin earning rewards immediately.”

Asked about the process of integrating the Ace Rewards program into his RockSolid POS system, Jeff replies, “The process was simple and easy. Setup included entering a license key and answering three simple questions. After that, we only needed to set the Ace Rewards options on each workstation. We were up and running in under 20 minutes.

Everyone at ECi RockSolid was extremely helpful and supportive (when Punzel integrated Ace Rewards). All of our questions regarding function and flow were answered promptly.

“Everyone at ECi RockSolid was extremely helpful and supportive. All of our questions regarding function and flow were answered promptly.”

To Ace Hardware/RockSolid dealers who are considering implementing Ace Rewards, Jeff says “You need to be offering Ace Rewards to your customers! The integration is fast, easy and painless. Minimal training is required.”

"RockSolid gives us the flexibility we need to run our business our way"

Jeff Punzel is very pleased with how RockSolid POS helps run his Ace store. “It provides many flexible features that allow us to accommodate the unique needs of our business,” he says. “The security features are superb, allowing us to configure any set of options we desire for each employee. The inventory and item control features allow us to be as rigid or as flexible with our SKUs as desired.

“The POS checkout system is fast and reliable. It allows us the flexibility we need to check out customers quickly and easily. All additional features, including product and customer details, are available when needed during a transaction, yet they are not in the way when attempting to quickly complete the transaction. The Fast Find grid is extremely useful.

The POS checkout system is fast and reliable. It allows us the flexibility we need to check out customers quickly and easily.

“For inventory, the system is intuitive and easy to use. It provides all of the necessary features to set up and handle products in any way we desire, including items without prices, items with serial numbers, and kitting.

What does the future hold for Punzel Ace Hardware? “We hope to expand our current operations and someday own and operate several Ace Hardware stores. We envision RockSolid being an integral part of that expansion. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with the entire RockSolid team.”