Point of Sale (POS) System Ease of use. Look for software with a user-friendly graphical interface. Entry of sales information. Most systems allow you to enter inventory codes. Updating product information. Once a sale is entered, these systems automatically update inventory. Sales tracking. Manage your inventory, service, data, staff, and customer relationships with a single technology provider: Lightspeed. Point of sale With our POS system, stocking is intuitive, selling is easy, and growth happens naturally.
So what is POS? Our POS expert explains that POS stands for point of sale. Source:In our video tutorial we are going to show you that a point-of-sale (POS) transaction is what takes place between a merchant and a customer when a product is sold.What is a POS Terminal?
A POS terminal is synonymous with POS system.A POS terminal is the electronic equipment performing the sales transaction and processing the credit card payments.So what are the most common POS systems out there?1. Restaurant POS Systems - The primary reason you need a POS for a restaurant is to accept payments and to streamline operations. In addition to receiving payments, you need to be able to track all your sales and tax data. There can be hundreds of POS features that can streamline your operations and make your restaurant more efficient.2. Bar POS Systems - There is software designed specifically for bars, most POS systems used by restaurants can also be used for a bar. Particularly for busy bars, your system needs to have speed functions for quick order input and quick check out. The quicker you’re able to process a transaction the happier your customers will be.3.
Retail POS Systems - Retail point of purchase (POP) systems are typically programmed specifically for retail environments. So that means you would most likely never use a restaurant POS terminal for a retail shop and vice versa. Retail businesses can have some particular requirements and features that other programs will not have.4.
Small Business POS Systems - A small business point of sale system could come in many shapes, sizes, and flavors. Most of the new small business technology is app based and on mobile platforms.
A small biz POS might be used for environments like a small retail shop, small restaurant, yogurt shop, or cafe.5. Salon and Spa POS Systems - Nail salons, hair salons and spas all require a particular set of POS options due to the nature of the business. So not just any POS software system will do. Options like an online appointment calendar, appointment reminders, and retail functionality are required features.In Summary - We covered some of the major types of point of sale software and hardware systems. We sincerely hope this information was helpful and useful in your quest to understand the meaning of POS.If you enjoyed this video, we’d be grateful if you could please share this with others below. Thank You for Watching!
Operating a retail store calls for a range of administrative, management and marketing skills. From ensuring that there’s enough inventory to putting together monthly sales reports, these skills are necessary in ensuring that your store runs smoothly.Having an can go a long way in making sure that all your operations are running smoothly. In this article, we speak to two industry experts who’ll share tips on what you must have in a POS and how to choose the best option for your retail store or restaurant.
Yamarie GrullonDirector of content strategy and social media at ShopKeep What’s the Point of a Point of Sale (POS) System?A point of sale system, or POS, is the place where your customer makes a payment for products or services at your store. Simply put, every time a customer makes a purchase at your store, they’re completing a point of sale transaction.The POS serves as the; it’s the hub where everything—like sales, inventory and customer management—merges.As evident as the benefits of a POS system are, we found that. Instead, we found, many are still using a combination of manual methods, cash registers, QuickBooks and Excel for bookkeeping.So why have retailers not taken that step to POS yet? To begin with, implementing new technology—especially technology that’s central to your business process—can be scary and overwhelming. Retailers need to consider the negative consequences of failing to have a POS in place.
“Retailers run the risk of slowing down their operations and missing critical data that could help them grow their business faster. Having key insight about their customers, their inventory level and when they should order more supplies are examples of information a POS provides.”MARYLISE TAUZIA, PRODUCT MARKETING & EVANGELISM LEAD, SQUAREUnderstanding what a POS system is—its software and hardware components, as well as capabilities—will enable you to make an educated buying decision. Software Components of a POS SystemEvery POS system comprises of software and hardware components that make running the daily operations of your business easier and faster. It’s important to understand what POS software options there are and what each have to offer.When deciding what to look for in a POS software, Marylise Tauzia, product marketing and evangelism lead at Square, says ease of integration is imperative.“Flexibility is key. Ensure your POS vendor works with the payment processor/gateway of your choice, so that you can control cost. If you’re already using applications important to your business, make sure the POS can integrate with them seamlessly, so that you can continue using them.” Hardware Components of a POS SystemThese are the common physical components required to get your POS up and running.Monitor/tablet: Displays the product database and enables other functions, such as employee clock-in and viewing sales reports. Tablets—especially iPads—are popular for replacing bulkier monitors.Barcode scanner: Automates the checkout process.
Scanning barcodes pulls product info and adds it to the checkout total. Barcode scanners can also integrate with inventory management systems to automatically adjust stock levels.Credit card reader: Since, secure and EMV-compliant credit card readers are a must-have. Non-compliant retailers face potentially huge losses on account of fraud liability.Receipt printer: Email and text receipts may be gaining popularity, but paper receipts remain essential for providing customers with a quick snapshot of their purchase or returns.Cash drawer: It may fade away in years to come, but cash is still king. Until then, you’ll need a secure place to store cash for transactions.
Another benefit of cash: there are no associated credit card fees. Key Features of a POS System: What to Look for When BuyingMany tasks in a retail store can be overly tedious and resource exhaustive. With the right POS system, retailers have the ability to simplify crucial daily business operations with greater proficiency.“Modern POS systems do more than just offer flexibility when processing daily transactions,” says Grullon. “They improve a merchant’s chances of success by providing them with tools to streamline business processes.”Our analysis with POS software buyers identified key features that retailers and restaurants look for in selecting a POS system:Sales Reporting: On the surface, most POS systems enable you to look at your sales.
Is the POS able to integrate with my existing software?Do you have a website or accounting software? Choosing a POS that integrates with your existing setup will save you time and money.What payment methods can the POS accept?Double check that the POS is able to accept chip-enabled credit and debit cards. You’ll also need to have a EMV-compliant POS terminal.How much does the software really cost?POS systems can cost as little as a few hundred dollars each month to tens of thousands for a made-to-order solution. On average, about 46 percent of companies on their POS software.Is your only option to sign a contract?Signing on a dotted line means you’ll have to commit to the service until your contract ends, even if you don’t like it.Are there any hidden fees?Find out if there are any hidden fees involved in payment processing. These can come in the form of activation, downloads, early termination, refunds and transaction fees for different debit/credit cards.Is any hardware proprietary?Choosing a POS software vendor that offers proprietary hardware can save you time while offering smoother functionality. However if you’re looking to customize your setup, a proprietary solution can be restricting as it’ll only be compatible with equipment from the same company. Next Steps in Buying a POS system1.
Research the most popular retail POS systems. We’ve compiled a list of the in our FrontRunners for Retail Management. These are the POS systems that are most recommended by fellow business owners for their usability.2. Complete a retail software questionnaire. For first-time buyers, the POS market can be hard to navigate. This will help you narrow down your options with what your business needs.3.
Read reviews from fellow businesses owners. Once you’ve come up with a shortlist of potential POS systems, check out about them. Finding out whether real people are satisfied should enable you to make an informed buying decision.