For butchers, farm shops, fishmongers and delicatessens, weighing scales are an essential part of everyday business.
But modern weighing equipment can do much more than calculate the price of a product. When connected to suitable software, it can help businesses manage product information, update prices and improve stock control.
The result is a more connected way of working, with less need to update information manually across different systems.
What are connected weighing scales?
Connected weighing scales work with compatible software to share product information and support everyday retail tasks.
Depending on the equipment and setup, this can include product descriptions, prices, barcodes, label information and sales data.
For example, a butcher might update the price of a product through back-office software and send the change to compatible networked scales. This can make price management easier than updating each device individually.
South Coast Systems supplies a range of Avery Berkel weighing scales designed for different retail environments.
Keep product information consistent
Food retailers often manage hundreds of products. Prices change, new lines are introduced and labels need updating to reflect the correct information.
Managing these changes across several scales can take time, particularly for businesses with multiple counters or locations.
Connected software can provide a central place to manage supported product information before sending updates to compatible equipment.
South Coast Systems offers Dimension Pro software, which allows businesses to manage product details such as prices, barcodes, use-by dates, promotions and cooking instructions.
Its recipe builder also supports ingredient information and highlights allergens within recipe records.
Make stock control easier
Knowing what stock you have is important for any food retailer. Too much stock can lead to waste, while insufficient stock can mean missed sales.
When weighing equipment and back-office software work together, sales and stock information can be easier to review.
Dimension Pro includes inventory management for weighed and dry goods. It can also generate purchase orders for specified suppliers, helping businesses organise replenishment.
Access to sales and stock reports can support purchasing decisions and help staff investigate changes in product demand.
These tools work best alongside regular stock checks and accurate product records.
Support faster order processing
Connected scales can also support businesses that handle wholesale orders, pre-orders or deliveries.
For example, a butcher supplying local restaurants may need to prepare several customer orders with different products and quantities.
Dimension Pro can receive wholesale orders and support production sheets, order processing and invoicing. Compatible Avery Berkel scales can form part of this workflow, helping staff manage products through preparation and sale.
The software also offers tools such as OrderIQ for business customers placing orders and ProGo for scanning labelled packs during order fulfilment.
These options can help businesses organise order preparation without relying entirely on phone calls, paperwork and manual data entry.
Connect your equipment as your business grows
Your equipment should support the way your business operates now, while allowing room for future changes.
If you plan to introduce additional counters, expand into wholesale or open another location, it is worth considering how your scales and software will work together.
Dimension Pro supports multi-scale and multi-site networks, subject to the compatible equipment and configuration.
Choosing a connected setup from the start can make it easier to manage product information and reporting as your operations develop.
Choose the right solution for your shop
Not every business needs the same equipment. Your ideal setup will depend on the products you sell, your labelling requirements, the number of scales you use and whether you manage wholesale orders or multiple locations.
South Coast Systems can help you explore the available options, from individual weighing scales to connected systems and back-office software.
Browse the Avery Berkel range or explore Dimension Pro to learn more.
Looking to connect your weighing scales and software? Visit South Coast Systems to find a solution suited to your business.