Point of sale (POS) system is the spot where your customer makes the payment for goods or services that are offered by your company.
Point of sale systems are systems that enable the business transaction between the client and the company to be completed. POS system is a computerized network that consists of the main computer linked with several checkout terminals and supported by different hardware features starting from barcode scanners and ending with card payment terminals.
As businesses have different profiles they need various point of sale systems as well. For example, restaurants, retail businesses, and grocery stores all have their specialties and that is why they need a POS system that meets their specific needs.
A food store requires a scale at the point of sale and a cafe needs to have an opportunity to customize menus in case of special offers.
But in general, there are two primary types of businesses that need the point of sales system. These are retail companies and hospitality businesses such as restaurants and hotels. That also means that there are mainly two suitable POS systems one for retail and the other for restaurant businesses.
Why Is POS System Useful?
Using the POS system can have a positive effect on your business.
It allows you to have better control over your business operations. With a POS system, you know exactly which products you have sold on daily or monthly bases, how many products are in the warehouse or how much money you have made.
It allows doing better analytical thinking and planning.
For example, POS system makes it easier to keep track of your inventory, to notice and analyze movements and tendencies in sales processes, to analyze your sales reports and other data in order to predict more precisely future trend and your company’s requirements.
It allows you to increase your business efficiency.
POS system makes the managing of your company’s paperwork more time-saving. Managing bills and orders, sales figures or reports is made very convenient. Besides the office environment POS system also increases the efficiency of the everyday sales environment thanks to different POS features such as barcode scanners or credit card terminals.
It allows you to make personal client communication more efficient.
As a POS system makes it very easy to gather the contact details of your best clients at the same time they complete their purchase. This information is valuable for generating personal offers and developing personal client communication.
Thereby with a POS system, you can save money and boost your profits and in addition, the POS system helps you to make more informed business decisions.
Elements of the POS System
First of all, you need to think about system computers because a computer is an essential part of a POS system. You need a computer to run the POS software. It is possible to buy a POS system together with computers, but you can buy computers separately. It is also important to keep in mind that POS computers should only be used for POS.
Then as mentioned you have to choose suitable software for your business needs. As there are many different point of sale solutions there are also different software. But in general POS software packages contain features and functionality that will help you to manage easily all common customer related transactions that are needed in your business.
The development of cloud technology has also lead to cloud-based POS systems.
These systems can be accessed directly from the Internet and they use data for operating that is stored on a remote server.
Cloud-based POS systems are also created to be compatible with a wide range of POS hardware. Cloud-based POS also helps to expand POS systems in addition to computers to mobile and tablet devices. For example, a cloud-based POS system that runs on iOS-based devices can also be used on an iPad based POS system.
And thirdly, you need POS system hardware.
And thirdly, you need System hardware consists of different equipment, such as a cash drawer, barcode scanners, monitor, receipt printer, etc. You also need touch screens, programmable keyboards, scanners, and handheld terminals to be able to enter necessary data into the POS system.
Choosing new POS software- a hands-on approach
With traditional licensed based POS system, the only knowledge possible to obtain prior to purchase comes from words from your sales rep or doing as much research as possible to find reviews online.
Would you decide on new software to run your business strictly based on what you hear in a sales pitch? As crazy as it sounds, that is what traditional POS system providers ask you to do.
Free trials are especially important for purchasing software to run your company when knowing that the software has a specific feature included is just not enough! It is equally as important to understand the ease-of-use, your common workflows, and how intuitive the program will be for everyday use, reading a few online reviews just doesn’t cut it!
Beware any company that won’t offer you a free trial version of their product. You have to kick the tires and take it for a spin!
Still not convinced? Here’s why free trials are important:
Free trials help you better understand the Point of Sales System offering
You’ve probably heard about a lot of features in your search for POS, but trying out the product gives you a chance to really understand how those features work.
- Free trials help you better understand the POS System offering. You’ve probably heard about a lot of features in your search for POS, but trying out the product gives you a chance to really understand how those features work.
- Free trials let you see the POS System in action This helps you decide whether it is something you can envision your staff using in day-to-day business. Typically multiple people can access the free trial so you can allow staff with specific roles to test the aspect of the software most important to them, ensuring all departments are happy with the choice.
- Free trials give you a chance to see if the sales team is representing their POS System honestly Make sure you’re not just taking the sales reps word for it when it comes to POS software! It’s easy to throw in words like “cutting edge” “intuitive,” and “powerful,” but when it boils down to decision time, you and your staff have to decide whether the POS System is any of those things. Besides, you’ll also need to make sure the POS System really does what they say it will do! No hassle, no lacking features, no bugs.
Trials and getting to know the POS System can take a bit of time and effort. However, a little time spent now could save you many hours (and dollars) of frustration later. At ERPLY POS SYSTEM every free trial comes with a free 1 on 1 consultation with one of our retail experts. This means less time trying to figure things out and ultimately a faster determination if ERPLY Point of Sale System is right for you.
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