May 19, 2026

The Benefits of Working with LOC’s Local Business Partners

support-from-local-business-partner

Grocers and retailers have the choice of buying software from a company that sells directly to end users or through the company’s local business partners. A local partner provides the personalized service, accessible support, and localized expertise that large, direct-to-end user companies typically do not provide.

Grocers, specialty and ethnic grocers, convenience store managers, and other retailers must consider multiple factors when selecting a software partner to provide their point of sale (POS) and back-office systems. As a business leader, you look at software features and whether you can deploy the software in the cloud or on-premises. You consider how easily it integrates with the hardware and other solutions you use and whether it can scale with your business. However, one factor many retail decision-makers overlook is who will provide, implement, and maintain your system. You’ll find that software companies with local business partners will help you achieve the most success with your POS and back-office software.

Direct to End User vs. Channel POS Software Providers

In general, POS software companies choose between two models to take their solutions to market: 

  • Selling directly to end-user businesses 
  • Selling through a channel of certified business partners 

Understanding the differences between these two types of companies will help you invest in POS and back-office software that will provide your business with the greatest value over its lifetime.

What is a Certified Software Company Business Partner?

While purchasing directly from a company might be your business’s go-to process, you’ll benefit from considering working with a local business partner instead. These companies are independent businesses that develop close relationships with their software partner. They invest time in learning the system and achieving certifications that show they have expertise in it. They build their businesses by focusing on their markets, such as grocery stores or other retail niches within a certain geographic area. As a result, they can communicate how their software partner’s solution can benefit their clients and implement it so that it delivers the greatest value. 

A software company’s business partners also add value to the software they provide. They employ developers who can customize your system, configure reports without the large price tag or long wait times you’ll encounter when you deal with a large, direct-to-end-user company. A software company’s business partner can also provide you with a total solution, from your POS terminal, screens, and peripherals like cash drawers, printers, barcode scanners, scales, to payment terminals and merchant services. 

Grocers and retailers benefit from working with a software company’s business partners in another way. They know their business growth depends on building a positive reputation in their markets. So, they often go above and beyond for their clients, developing strong business relationships and taking the role of a trusted business advisor to ensure their clients’ success.

What a Local Business Partner Offers that a Direct-to-End-User Business Can’t

Remember that when you choose POS software, you also enter into a relationship with the provider. The advantages that a certified local business partner offers include the following:

Personalized Service

A software company’s business partners take a consultative approach, learning every element of your business so they can tailor your POS and back-office system to your business. They also take responsibility for system implementation, rather than boxing and shipping hardware and leaving it up to your team to set it up, install software, and configure the solution. Unlike large, direct-to-end-user software companies, local partners will quickly answer questions instead of putting you on hold while they look for information about which software version you’re running on your POS hardware. 

Another advantage of working with software company’s business partners is that they are familiar with your region. They live and work there, and they may even have visited your business as a consumer. This gives them first-hand knowledge of your business and insights on how you can use your POS system to help make it more efficient and customer-friendly.

Localized Expertise

In addition to expertise on your market and your technology, local business partners also know the ins and outs of doing business in your area. You can avoid having to explain your tax requirements and any tax amnesty times, for example, during back-to-school shopping. They also know state and local laws governing surcharging and data privacy and make sure your POS and back-office system is configured for compliance. 

Local business partners also have relationships with local wholesalers. They can take the lead on working with their professional services teams to ensure data transfers work seamlessly, saving you time with item management in your system.

Reliable Support

You can count on a software business partner giving you self-service options for easy access to information about your solutions. However, unlike large, direct-to-end-user companies, you won’t have to call an 800 number or use a chatbot to ask for help troubleshooting issues or for assistance with technology decision-making. With a software company’s business partner, you have a direct point of contact who understands your systems and your business. You can also rely on a local business partner each step of the way, from configuring your system and training your team to backing up your in-house IT resources and providing an ongoing service and support model to meet your business needs.

Business Advice

You can count on a local business partner as a valuable part of your network for advice on emerging technology, industry trends, and solutions to market challenges. For example, our 2026 Exploring Grocery Technology Trends survey found that although 79% of grocers offer loyalty rewards programs, only 48% believe they’re effective. A software company’s business partner will take the time to show you how to use your POS system to adapt your program, analyze data, and make decisions that help you optimize your success. They also have networks they can turn to help you find the answers to complex issues.

So, What’s In a Name?

Some direct-to-end-user companies have well-known names, but they fall short with service, support, and prioritizing your success with the system. Local partners do more than sell software. They help you get the most from your POS and back-office system investment and take on the role of a true business partner to help you achieve the greatest success. 

LOC has an industry-leading network of local business partners throughout North America. Contact us for an introduction to one of our partners in your area.