Regina Ryan readily admits that her “learning curve is pretty

steep when it comes to computers.” However, as she planned

to open The Good Dog Company, a natural pet food and

supply company, she knew that technology could be her

friend. Ryan wanted an integrated POS system to provide

fast, easy reporting and streamline the personalized service

that she wanted to give her clients. Cost, of course, was also

a big consideration.

Most importantly, though, Ryan wanted to receive

outstanding, prompt, reliable technical support. First Data

provided everything she needed.

“I couldn’t ask for better support and that’s not an

exaggeration. I can honestly say there’s no room for

improvement,” says Ryan.

ClientThe Good Dog Company Atlanta

ChallengeSelf-described “non-techie” business owner wants POS system to support sales, inventory and customer service goals without requiring significant learning curve

SolutionFirst Data’s POS Retail Solution ResultsOwner spends less time on technology and reporting, and more time getting to know her customers’ needs

A FIRST DATA CUSTOMER SUCCESS STORY:

THE GOOD DOG COMPANY ATLANTA FINDS THE TRICK FOR GETTING TO KNOW CUSTOMERS: FIRST DATA’S RETAIL POS SOLUTION

firstdata.com © 2011 First Data Corporation. All rights reserved. Page 2

The first day that I pulled a report for my end of month sales figures, it was just so easy! I couldn’t believe how many hours I just saved from manually adding all this stuff up. It was great - I loved it.- Regina Ryan, The Good Dog Company Atlanta

The ChallengeRegina Ryan, owner of The Good Dog Company in Atlanta, GA, was getting ready to

open her pet food and supply business but she was struggling with one very big decision:

which POS system to purchase. Past experience in the industry told her that an integrated

POS system would be the best fit for her new business. Ryan wanted to ensure that she

could track customers and their pets through the new POS system, adding a personal

touch each time they visited. In addition, cost was an issue, as it is for any small business.

But Ryan also factored her own technical abilities into her decision. Admitting that she

doesn’t possess “technical wherewithal,” Ryan sought to partner with a company that

offered an easy-to-manage product, as well as outstanding customer service.

The SolutionAfter significant research, and at the last minute before her grand opening, Ryan chose

First Data’s POS Retail system. It arrived on a Thursday… and her business was scheduled

to open Saturday! Understandably concerned about many last-minute opening day

pressures, Ryan set out to set up her new POS system.

“Well, lucky for me, it didn’t take much time,” she says. “It took about an hour, maybe an

hour and a half to install. I was on the phone with support and they walked me through

the setup. It was much easier than I had expected.”

Ryan was able to train her employees and said they all experienced a “10-minute learning

curve.” She also happily reports that they “sailed through” grand opening day.

The ResultsRyan always understood that her store’s success would hinge on her ability to provide

the unique products that her clients expected and to continuously offer them highly

personalized service. She simply wanted a POS system to support her in those endeavors.

In First Data’s Retail POS Solution, she has found the technical partner she needs. Thanks

to the personalized support that she is receiving from First Data, she now offers her

customers a gift card program. She has also found reporting to be not only easy, but fun.

“I just play with it and I can literally pull any number I want at the click of a finger,” she says.

“I love it.”

First Data’s POS also helps her keep track of inventory, customers’ special needs and

price margins. Ryan says “We spend a lot less time doing the menial things that need to

happen to run a business and more time where it really matters – with our customers.”

A First Data customer success story: The Good Dog Company Atlanta

71