The 2014 SALON TODAY Software and Technology Guide for salon owners, managers and stylists.
Lauren Quick・Contributor
July 10, 2014
9 min to read
If you aren't tapped in to the latest technology, you might struggle to achieve the next level of salon business success. Technology can elevate your business and be pivotal in bringing back loyal clients, attracting new ones, motivating your team to reach goals and capturing more service and retail sales.
This brief guide introduces you to salon management software and tools developed for the professional beauty industry.
NEWEST PRODUCT: Virtual iTouch for Spa & Salon Mobile iPad/iPhone App
KEY FEATURES: No upfront cost with low monthly subscription model, 100 percent mobile spa and salon iPhone and iPad App, virtual monitor for managing appointments, self-service kiosk, social collaboration built in, Avatar TV (optional) to generate advertising dollars.
NEWEST PRODUCT: Improved Intuit Local Network to connect with businesses with more than 257 million local consumers to broaden their reach and get exposure to people already doing business in their area
KEY FEATURES: Automated email and text messaging, review collection and syndication to major sites and search engines, connection with 257 million local consumers via Intuit Local Network.
KEY FEATURES: Desktop software or cloud-based software available with schedule and point of sale, inventory and client management, extensive business reports, online booking for staff and clients, integrated marketing, automated appointment confirmations, mobile solutions and integrated credit card processing with Integrity Payment Systems.
NEWEST PRODUCT: GoLoyal’s Facebook fan program widget; plugs into the fullservice email program assisting businesses in increasing fan base on Facebook.
KEY FEATURES: Full-service email marketing; everything is managed for the client. Facebook fan program, Facebook VIP e-club subscription form, Facebook tab set-up (services, stylists, pricing tabs all within your Facebook page), website design/development, email blasts sent and resent after three days to those who haven’t opened them.
KEY FEATURES: Online client scheduling, mobile access, appointment scheduling, email and text confirmations, email and social marketing, Facebook integration, point of sale, integrated credit card processing, inventory controls, business management.
KEY FEATURES: Complete end-to-end solution from scheduling to point of sale, from ecommerce to online gift cards to realtime online booking, from human resources to advanced payroll and commissions, from client portals to employee portals, from employee manager dashboards to executive dashboards, from advanced inventory management to warehouse management and electronic ordering, from electronic forms to electronic signatures, from contract management to recurring billing, from email and SMS marketing to integrated surveys and service ratings.
KEY FEATURES: Cloud-based calendaring platform helps salons build and manage custom online calendars to support training and education activities, publish and promote events, create newsletters, track RSVPs, integrate calendar content with social media platforms, search and filter events to match interests, Tailgate (native mobile app).
NEWEST PRODUCT: Just in Time Appointment (JITA) marketing system and Employee Mobile Booking App (EMBA)
KEY FEATURES: Integrated one-vendor solution from booking and sales tracking to e-marketing and accounting; book client appointments from anywhere with smartphone/iPhone, enter new client information, pre-booking, show schedule in realtime.
NEWEST PRODUCT: DARCI, daily automated reminder and client information system
KEY FEATURES: SQL database, instant conversion of reports to Excel, data mining for custom reports, DARCI, online store, and all of the traditional features you expect from salon and spa management software.
NEWEST PRODUCT: Rosy free, mobile-friendly web page, fully customized websites
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KEY FEATURES: Online client scheduling, appointment scheduling, point of sale inventory controls, text and email confirmations, email and social marketing, mobile access, Facebook integration, business management.
KEY FEATURES: Simplify marketing communications and get accurate reporting with single-client database for multi-locations, establish an online presence for clients with web booking, drive stylist performance with our mobile app (which gives access to their numbers and their book).
KEY FEATURES: Social promotion, appointment distribution, booking website, email marketing, scheduling, online booking, Facebook booking, mobile and tablet booking, point of sale, credit card processing, ecommerce, mobile payment processing, customer management, employee schedule and payroll, inventory management, reporting.
KEY FEATURES: Salon can easily manage Keratin Complex business, earn points and redeem those for products, tools, marketing and educational support; sales reps have a log-in and can manage all of the Keratin Complex accounts and keep up-to-date what is being purchased and redeemed by salons; distributor administrators can also run reports to learn how each of their salons are doing with Keratin Complex products.
NEWEST PRODUCT: Salon Iris Version 11 with next generation of online booking
KEY FEATURES: Complete point of sales system with integrated credit card processing, scheduling and appointment management system, product and inventory management, remote access with iOS and Android apps, advanced email and SMS marketing, online booking with Facebook integration, Quickbooks synchronization module, Demandforce integration.
KEY FEATURES: State-of-the-art web-based salon management system, integrated online booking, branded email and text marketing, automated voice/email/text confirmations, client review capture, in-salon advertising, unique real-time communication system between stylist stations and front desk, secure off-site system access through Internet, salon chain enterprise system available, and iPad, mobile, Windows and Apple compatible.
KEY FEATURES: Touch-friendly online appointment calendar, automatic appointment reminders (email and text), client-segmented email marketing, multiple service scheduling, mobile web application, Book Again feature for clients, comprehensive client profile module, product add-ons at time of booking, business page listing at the schedulicity.com portal, reporting module.
KEY FEATURES: Appointment booking, confirmation, remote access via mobile and tablet, point of sale, inventory management, client management promotions, reporting, email and text message marketing, client satisfaction and service review management, wallboards, self-check-in, automated email marketing, automated surveys, memberships, loyalty clubs and marketing.
NEWEST PRODUCT: Plan your pins on Pinterest (new to list of social media services supported)
KEY FEATURES: Schedules social media posts in the future using a calendar, automatically publishes it at key times of the day, reports performance metrics and notifications of online brand mentions.
NEWEST PRODUCT: StyleSeat Payments (for both clients and professionals)
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KEY FEATURES: Access new clients through online marketplace, online booking and full scheduling, payment processing online and in salons, full mobile application and website, business management tools, automatic text message and email notifications.
KEY FEATURES: Tablet computers, LCD touchscreen monitors, USB Smart Scale and SureTint’s patented Color Management Software that includes proprietary batch sizing technology. Reduces color waste, provides on-demand reports, improves accuracy of formulas delivering consistency, efficiency and savings.
KEY FEATURES: Appointment request, app sharing via social media, check appointment status, mobile referral program, click to call, mobile appointment reminders, GPS driving directions to salon, reviews, gallery, custom feedback, before-and-after shots, services menu, mobile gift cards, contact us, geofencing, about us, push notifications, custom app branding, special offer distribution via app, check-in rewards, app share, scratch-off tickets.
NEWEST PRODUCT: New point of sales software integrations launched enable many more spas and salons to utilize WebOpenings.
KEY FEATURES: Assists in last-minute appointment booking automatically, integrated with point of sale systems, yield management rules platform where business determines which service(s), which provider(s), at what price point, during what time frame to fill; performance-based; Facebook online booking.
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