AIM by Tri-Tech Review
In-depth review of AIM by Tri-Tech POS software for retail stores. Includes pricing, features, FAQs, and comparisons with Square and Lightspeed.
Updated on November 2nd, 2023
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AIM by Tri-Tech is a module-based retail POS software solution. Formally known as AIMsi, AIM is an integrated POS and retail management solution with a robust range of features, including inventory management, customer management, sales reporting, and employee security.
Pros and Cons:
Pros
- A wide range of features suitable for in-store POS.
- eCommerce integration.
- Includes accounting functions.
Cons
- An expensive software.
- Involves a learning curve.
Review:
AIM by Tri-Tech offers a full-featured POS platform with additional features that will help users to streamline their back office functions. It is an expensive software platform, but the cost is a one-off price so users can save money in the long run. However, each add-on requires an additional cost. There is also the additional cost required for third-party payment processor integration.
Highlights:
AIM is a great solution for in-store retail POS, particularly for music, sporting, appliance, hobby, and liquor stores. They offer plenty of great features along with a range of add-on features. Aim also offers an e-commerce integration in the form of Active-e, allowing users to engage with their customers online. Users can make use of AIM's accounting add-on to gather financial data for all accounting needs.
Shortcomings:
AIM is an expensive software and each add-on requires an additional purchase. AIM also involves a learning curve to navigate all the features, which can cause the platform to be too complicated for some users.
Reputation:
AIM is not accredited or rated by the Better Business Bureau. Capterra has collected 154 customer reviews for AIM, with an average rating of 3.9 out of 5. When customers positively comment about AIM, they highlight the ease-of-use and the great report generation. Negative comments are about limited customer support and a clunky interface.
Software Advice has also collected 154 customer reviews with an average rating of 3.94 out of 5. Positive customer reviews highlight the great customer support and the robust POS package. Negative comments highlight a complicated interface and software crashes.
At a Glance:
Sales reporting and analytics | Yes. |
Customer management | Yes. |
Inventory management | Yes. |
eCommerce | Add-on module. |
Offline capabilities | No. |
Payment processing | Depends on integrated processor. |
Tri-Tech Online Shop:
Users can purchase software and supporting products from Tri-Tech's website. Products include:
- AIM Software and Upgrades (pricing from $995 to $5,860).
- AIM Add-on Modules (pricing from $245 to $745).
- Computers and Touchscreen (pricing from $450 to $1,500).
- POS Hardware (pricing from $120 to $1,000).
- Labels, Tags, and Paper Products (pricing ranging from $3 to $31).
- Checks (quote-based pricing).
Pricing:
AIM's base package is charged at $995.00 one-off for 1 location and 1 workstation. As AIM is a module-based platform, users can select any or all modules to add to their base package for a customized design suitable to individual businesses.
Module Add-on Pricing:
Module Name | Pricing |
|---|---|
E-mail Capabilities | $445.00 |
Contact Management | $445.00 |
Short-Term Rentals | $445.00 |
Accounts Payable | $445.00 |
General Ledger | $445.00 |
Purchase Orders | $445.00 |
Lesson/Appointment Scheduling & Billing | $445.00 |
Repair & Service Tracking | $445.00 |
Active-e Integration | Monthly charges. |
Long-Term Rental & Sales Contracts | $745.00 |
Additional Workstation Licenses | $245.00 |
Additional Store Location Licenses | $595.00 |
AIM vs. Square Retail:
AIM charges a one-off fee while Square has a monthly fee and both offer all-in-one POS solutions. However, AIM also offers other features that help with back office functions. Both also offer POS hardware at an additional cost. Square and AIM both only offer one pricing plan, but AIM also features add-ons for a customizable POS solution.
AIM vs. Square Retail Comparison:
Offer | AIM | Square Retail |
|---|---|---|
Pricing | $995.00 one-off. | $60.00 /mo. |
Transaction Rate | Requires integration. | 2.5% + $0.10 |
Users/Location | 1 | 1 |
Integrated eCommerce | Can integrate with Active-e. | Yes. |
Hardware offered | Available at an additional cost. | Free mobile card reader with plan. Additional hardware available. |
Support | Maintenance, training, knowledge base, and online support. | Live phone support. |
AIM vs. Lightspeed:
Lightspeed offers different pricing tiers which are great for scalability. However, businesses looking for features like accounting, reporting and loyalty programs need an upgraded package. AIM, on the other hand, offers reporting and loyalty programs with the base package and accounting as an add-on module.
AIM vs. Lightspeed Comparison:
Offer | AIM | Lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
Pricing | $995.00 one-off. | $79.00 /mo. |
Transaction Rate | Requires integration. | 2.6% + $0.10 |
Users/Location | 1 | 1 |
Integrated eCommerce | Can integrate with Active-e. | Yes. |
Hardware offered | Available at an additional cost. | Free terminal with plan. Additional hardware available. |
Support | Maintenance, training, knowledge base, and online support. | 24/7 support and setup help. |
Maintenance:
AIM's Base plan offers users 45 days of free maintenance support. After that, users should continue with a maintenance plan for access to technical support, member portals, updates and upgrades, and the Tri-Tech university.
Features:
Feature | Description |
|---|---|
POS | Processing payments, returns, and refunds, applying discounts, accessing inventory details, managing customer loyalty information, running sales reports, and more. |
Inventory Management | Tracking inventory, viewing inventory history, tracking repairs and replacements, establishing pricing, running inventory reports, counting inventory with hand-held store floor data collectors, and using automatic inventory optimization procedures. |
Barcode Labeling | Print customized barcode labels. |
Customer Management | Maintain customer history, add notes, record driver's license information, add shipping addresses, establish discounts and loyalty programs, review customer sales analyses, and print letters and labels. |
Report Catalog | A library of AIM and Active-e reports, create custom reports, view, print, and export reports, and create customer lists for targeted marketing. |
T-Scheduler | Track reservations and bookings of events, activities, and resources, check-in customers, take payments, and move, delete, and change reservations. |
Employee Management | Control employee access to the data saved on AIM or from performing certain functions, use the time clock to record employee hours, vacation times, sick days, and personal days, and analyze sales person reports. |
Gift Cards | Use Tri-Tech's custom gift, loyalty, and money cards branded with your personal logo. |
Industry Specific Features:
AIM offers modules that are specific to different types of retail businesses, such as:
- Musical Instruments.
- Sportsmen.
- Bicycles and Fitness.
- Golf Courses.
- Sewing and Fabrics.
- Appliances.
- Vacuums.
- Hobbies.
- Consignments.
Add-on Features:
Add-on | Description |
|---|---|
Purchase Orders | Track special orders, enter stock orders, and create, print, and receive purchase orders from vendors. |
Accounts Payable | Manage accounts payable by vendor or date and perform cost analyses. |
General Ledger | CPA-approved solution for accounting needs. |
Email Capabilities | Built-in emails for emailing correspondence, sales materials, html, receipts, invoices, statements, purchase orders, and notices. |
Contact Management | Manage contact between your business and customers. |
Short-Term Rentals | Keep records of short-term rentals by customer or inventory item, reserve items, view availabilities, run reports on outstanding items, and add late charges where necessary. |
Long-Term Rent & Sales Contracts | Control rental, installment, and service contracts. |
Lesson/Appointment/Class Scheduling & Billing | Schedule lessons, bill students, pay instructors, and view schedules and studio/room space. |
Repair & Service | Manage repair and service tickets, prepare estimates, assign technicians, send text messages about completed services, and keep an accurate repair and service history. |
Partners and Integrations:
Category | Partner/Integration |
|---|---|
Associations | Chicagoland Area Bicycle Dealers Association, National Association of Music Merchants, Hobby Manufacturers Association, National Association of School Music Dealers, National Bicycle Dealers Association, National Retail Hobby Store Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Retail Print Music Dealers Association, Retail Solutions Providers Association, Vacuum & Sewing Dealers Trade Association. |
Consulting | Friedman, Kannenberg, & Company, P.C., MerchantAdvantage. |
Hardware | AML, Code, CRS, Inc. |
Software | CityGro, Divinsa, e-range, Hart Software, IKEYMobile Software, iTouch Technology, MerchantAdvantage, Reverb.com, SixBit Software, Smartwaiver, Vortx. |
Product Listing | Music-Search. |
Processors | OpenEdge, TSYS, FIS. |
Other Products:
Active-e:
Active-e is used to extend AIM's functions to websites, mobile applications, and third-party developers. Active-e integration includes:
- eCommerce and customer account services.
- Vendor and communication services.
- AIMstorefront shopping cart.
PC>Poll:
PC>Poll works with Casio, SAM4s, Sharp, and TEC cash registers to collect reports and poll multiple registers. You can program or reset your register from your office, link your cash register to other software products, and turn your cash register and PC into a POS system.
Modules and interfaces include:
- V7 Polling.
- Archive Agent.
- QuickBooks Interface.
- XLS Wizard.
- PC/Capture.
Hardware:
- Barcode scanners.
- Batch data collectors.
- Image scanners.
- Signature capture pads.
- Cash drawers.
- Receipt printers.
- Label printers.
- Interface scales.
- POS hardware bundles.
- PenSoft Payroll Software.
Tri-Tech Solutions:
Tri-Tech offers 3 main solutions:
- AIM - POS retail software.
- Active-e - Integration services.
- PC>Poll - Electronic cash register software.
Key Information:
Legal Name | Tri-Technical Systems, Inc. |
Founder | |
Founding Date | Jan 01, 1984 |
Address | 3162 Cedar Crest Ridge, Dubuque, Iowa |
Number of Employees | 28 |
Number of Customers | 99 |
Telephone | |
Website |
FAQs:
How much does AIM cost?
AIM's base package is charged at $995.00 one-off for 1 location and 1 workstation. Add-on modules range from $245.00 to $745.00 each.
What features does AIM have?
- POS.
- Inventory Management.
- Barcode Labeling.
- Customer Management.
- Report Catalog.
- T-Scheduler.
- Employee Management.
- Gift Cards.