Auto-Star is proud to announce the Star-Plus new release of Star-Plus 8.4, packed with exciting new features and enhancements designed to streamline retail operations and empower businesses with smarter tools.
Whether you’re looking to improve checkout speed, manage store layouts, or reduce manual processes, Star-Plus 8.4 has you covered. This release builds on our commitment to innovation, combining powerful functionality with practical benefits to support modern retail challenges.
Meet Your New Assistant: HelpBot
One of the most anticipated additions in this release is the introduction of HelpBot, an AI-powered assistant built directly into the Star-Plus interface. HelpBot is your virtual support specialist, designed to provide instant answers to a wide variety of questions related to Star-Plus operations. Whether you’re a new user or a seasoned pro, HelpBot simplifies the learning curve and reduces downtime. Users can simply type their question into the “Ask HelpBot” field, and within seconds, receive a detailed answer along with links to the relevant documentation. HelpBot also suggests follow-up questions to guide users further, and advanced filtering ensures that answers come from the most relevant sources like manuals, release notes, or technical documents.
This feature doesn’t just enhance user confidence, it transforms the way your team interacts with the system. HelpBot reduces time spent searching for answers, accelerates on-boarding for new staff, provides 24/7 support within the software interface, and decreases the dependency on IT or technical support teams. It also aligns with Auto-Star’s vision for the future: smarter, AI-assisted workflows that improve efficiency and make retail management more intuitive.
Visualize Your Space with the Store Layout App
Retailers can also now leverage the powerful new Store Layout App, which allows businesses to build custom layouts of their store floorplans and overlay heatmaps based on customer activity. This tool is invaluable for optimizing space and traffic flow, helping retailers plan merchandising strategies and promotions more effectively. With a visual representation of shopper behavior, businesses can identify high-traffic areas, improve the shopping experience, and boost sales with more strategic product placements.
Star-Plus Delivery App
The new Star-Plus Delivery Android app marks a significant upgrade to delivery operations. Serving as a mobile replacement for the older Delivery Orders system, this intuitive app allows for real-time task management on the go. From tracking deliveries to updating statuses, the app ensures accuracy and efficiency in every step of the delivery process. Staff can access tasks from mobile devices, reduce the risk of errors, and improve communication throughout the delivery workflow.
Auto-Patches: Set It and Forget It
Keeping systems secure and up to date is now easier than ever with the introduction of automatic software patches. Star-Plus 8.4 handles downloading and installation in the background, ensuring your software remains current without manual intervention. This feature significantly reduces IT workload, ensures timely access to the latest updates, and enhances system security and performance.
Automatic Cash Drawer Setup
Configuration tasks have also been simplified with automatic cash drawer setup based on day and shift. This eliminates the need for manual configuration, reduces setup errors, and ensures consistent experience across all store registers.
8112 Coupon Wizard
The new 8112 Coupon Wizard modernizes coupon management by making it easy to register and handle GS1 8112 digital coupons. This not only reduces manual data entry errors but also enables a more seamless, digital savings experience for customers.
Enhanced Product Search at the Till
At the point of sale, search capabilities have been enhanced to improve speed and accuracy. Cashiers can now enjoy case-insensitive searches, “Combined Code” searches that include both barcodes and product codes, and visibility into item comments directly at the register. The new one-click access to the Item Editor allows for quick adjustments on the fly, reducing delays at checkout and boosting cashier confidence and accuracy.
Login & Menu Improvements
Login and navigation improvements round out the user interface enhancements. Users can now view passwords at the login screen to help with troubleshooting, and administrators can add links to user-defined programs or URLs in the main menu. This increases accessibility, simplifies training, and allows retailers to customize the software experience to suit their unique needs.
Smarter Labeling & Reporting
Smarter labeling and reporting features add further value. Retailers can choose to load only items with recent price changes, print longer barcodes, and take advantage of more precise labeling features. The item description field now supports up to 100 characters, allowing for more detailed product listings. These updates streamline pricing updates, improve report accuracy, and ensure labels meet evolving compliance standards.
New Hardware Support
Star-Plus 8.4 also brings expanded hardware support, including compatibility with Partner Tech’s Starling Trilight, Custom America’s P-Ranger RP310, and Zebra’s MP7001 USB Scale/Scanner. This allows retailers to invest in new, efficient hardware solutions that improve in-store operations while preparing for the future of retail technology.
24Seven Ordering Enhancements
Enhancements to the 24Seven Ordering system include support for uploading deleted items and a new setting to define the maximum number of download retries. These changes improve inventory control, provide more flexibility in syncing settings, and reduce disruptions caused by failed uploads or missed data.
Ready to Upgrade?
Star-Plus 8.4 brings meaningful improvements across the board, designed with real retailers in mind. Whether you’re focused on growing your store, improving efficiency, or future-proofing your operations, this update helps you do it all.
Contact us today at (888)460-6963, option 1 to learn more or schedule your upgrade.
Star-Plus 8.4, Your smartest update yet.
The Star-Plus new release brings meaningful improvements across the board, designed with real retailers in mind. Whether you’re focused on growing your store, improving efficiency, or future-proofing your operations, this update helps you do it all.
For more details on the 8.4 update, please read our Release Notes on the Auto-Star wiki!
