Chances are that you’ve used a point of sale system before, especially as a customer. A point of sale (POS) system allows your customers to quickly and easily make payment for the goods or services that they’re purchasing. These systems enable your business to complete transactions between the customer and your company.
POS systems are a computerized network that uses various checkout terminals, to include barcode scanners and card payment terminals. Your business type greatly impacts the type of a point of sale system that you’ll need. Looking around you’ll find that there are many different types of point of sale systems that are designed to meet specific business needs.
For example, For example, a POS point of sale system at a grocery store may include a barcode scanner and self-service kiosks while one at a restaurant may include a gift card feature or a loyalty rewards program.
POS system components
There are various different components that make up a POS system. Depending on how the system is deployed, you may or may not need certain equipment. The most popular way to deploy a POS system is on-premise. With an on-premise system, you must purchase one or more software licenses. The software is then installed on your business’ computer system or server.
With an on-premise installation, you’re responsible for maintaining and updating the software. This can be done by a dedicated IT staff.
Another installation option is cloud-based. Known as software-as-a-service (SaaS), a cloud-based POS system is accessed and supported through the internet. Even if your company loses connection, most POS systems are designed to track sales and then sync them as soon as you’re back online.
When choosing the right POS system, you want to find one that integrates with any existing business applications so that you can ensure a smooth installation.
Aside from software, POS systems also require hardware components. No matter how you choose to deploy POS software, hardware components are the same. All POS systems require:
- Register screen
- Barcode scanner
- Credit/debit card reader
- Receipt printer
- Cash drawer
With these various pieces of hardware, you’ll gain a better understanding of the role that a POS system plays in helping your business overcome pain points and bottlenecks.
Benefits of POS systems
One of the biggest benefits of a POS system is that it offers flexibility and convenience when processing business transactions. A quality POS system streamlines your business processes and minimizes the risk of low customer satisfaction.
With a POS system, you’ll have improved control over your business operations. Using a quality system, you’ll have a clear idea of your warehouse inventory, how many products you’ve sold in a day or month, and how much money your business has made.
These systems are also beneficial in that they make it much easier to maintain a close purview over your inventory. POS systems also offer sales reports and other data points that can be used to predict future trends.
Most importantly, a POS system increases business efficiency. Gone are the days of managing orders, bills, and sales figures on paper.
Last, a POS system makes client communication more efficient. You can use a POS system to gather pertinent contact and personal information from your best clients, which can then be used to develop personalized campaigns.
Available features
POS systems offer a variety of features and those that you need greatly depend on the type of business that you run. But, there are some must-have features that all businesses can benefit from having.
For example, all businesses should find a POS system that offers sales reporting. A sales reporting feature allows your business to record and analyze data so that you can make more informed business decisions.
You’ll also want a POS system that offers inventory management. With this feature, you can more effectively manage your company’s stock to determine how many products you need to reorder
Other features you’ll want to have in a POS system include employee management and customer management. An employee management feature offers clock-in and clock-out tools so that you can manage your employee’s schedule and payroll. A customer management feature keeps track of purchases and allows you to stay in contact with customers by using marketing tools and campaigns.
How to choose the ideal POS system
With so many options available to you, how do you choose the best POS system for your business? Overcoming the hurdle of implementing new technology is much easier when you’ve chosen the right POS system.
Before purchasing a POS system, there are many factors you’ll want to consider. First, ensure the system meets your specific business needs. You’ll also want to consider factors such as:
- Cost & hidden fees
- Available features
- Contract requirements
The best way to find the ideal POS system for your business is to compare and contrast those available to you. This is especially true when it comes to pharmacy POS systems.
Conclusion
With a thorough understanding of POS systems, you can determine which system best fits your business needs. In turn, your business and your customers will benefit from the availability of a more effective and efficient transaction system.
