POS System: What to Look For?

Whether you are looking for a web-based or Desktop-based POS system, you will want it to be a complete package. It should not only improve customer satisfaction, but also meet your needs as a retail business. The following criteria are what we looked for in these systems to meet both points.

Hardware
A complete solution should include a PC or module, display, keyboard and mouse, high–quality cash drawer, barcode scanner, credit card reader, receipt printer and label printer. Top manufacturers will customize the system to fit your business. Some companies have specific packages of hardware, while others offer each piece separately. Either way is fine as long as it meets your needs.

Inventory & Other Features
Whether it is software- or web-based, you want a system that will help track, organize and supply your inventory. Organization plays a major part in your employees' ability to locate items in the system, which in turn speeds the checkout process. Many also provide built in options for layaways, multi-payment plans and gift certificates.

Customer Tracking & Labels
For some businesses, it can be quite beneficial to be able to retain customer information for future transactions. Some software will also allow you to track customer's lines of credit so that they can buy now and pay later. Stored customer information can also speed up shipping by having labels with a customer's address all ready to go. Most POS Systems will print shipping labels, but only select systems will also do price tags, shelf tags and customized labels.

Employees & Security
All the information on POS systems is important. You will want one that has multiple levels of security access and password protection. It is also convenient when you can use your point of sale system for clocking in and out, tracking commissions, tracking employee hours and similar benefits.

Help & Support
The best manufacturers provide training through videos and manuals. Providers should also offer technical help through FAQs and online tutorials as well as 24/7 phone and email support. Aside from learning how to use them, POS systems can have issues just like any piece of equipment, so find a company that offers excellent tech support and a warranty.

The combination all of these features together gives you a solid POS system that will make your customers happy, help you manage your inventory and sales transactions, simplify your business and generally improve your speed and efficiency. The key is to find the one that best meets the needs of your company and clientele.

point of sale terminal on an Apple iPod Touch® or iPhone®

The quick and easy way to connect Apple iPod Touch® & iPhone® with Restaurant Pro Express™

The award-winning restaurant point of sale software, Restaurant Pro Express™, has the ability to seamlessly integrate with next generation mobile computing devices offering the ability to perform all the primary functionalities of a stationary point of sale terminal on an Apple iPod Touch® or iPhone®. Our mobile POS solution is a reliable yet affordable option that is ideal for hospitality environments that want to perform tableside ordering.

Mobile POS solutions can provide a variety of benefits including:

Streamline order processing Eliminate or reduce losses due to inaccurate order entry Prompt wait staff to upsell or cross-sell Increase customer throughput which leads to higher table turnover Reduce customer wait times Offer the ability to expand seating by taking orders outdoors Broadcast messages to each server Restaurant Pro Express™ Mobile gives servers the ability to take orders tableside, split checks, and securely process credit card payments through an attached encrypted credit card reader. The mobile POS solution also supports various taxation, discounts and happy hour pricing. Easy to use, Restaurant Pro Express™ mobile requires little training time and offers the ability to quickly integrate pre-existing inventory and menu items. Our mobile POS solution works in conjunction with a traditional POS terminal and synchronizes in real time, so servers can place orders tableside but also view their open tabs and make changes at the POS station. Restaurant Pro Express™ is ideal for a variety of hospitality environments including restaurants, bars, nightclubs, stadiums or any environment where wireless POS capability is needed.

Cash management systems

Cash management systems are something that a business cannot do without. These systems comprise software solutions and services designed to manage liquidity, account balances, payments, and other business functions related to money. Money is the fuel that makes a business run in the corporate highway. If a business runs out of cash, it may leave the company stranded on the side of the corporate road. The last thing any owner would want is to walk for hundreds of miles and watch competitors pass by. This is where POS Windows systems come in.

Point of Sale (POS) systems are computer hardware and software networks that record sales of retail goods. They are typically found at counters in grocery stores and boutiques. POS systems are virtually cash registers. They are, however, based integrated to a computer which gives the store owner or manager more leverage on supervising the vast amount of data about the business. For instance, POS system terminals can be networked to other terminals and to a server in another location. In addition, it can be expanded with handheld devices that are linked wirelessly.

The biggest advantage of a POS system over a traditional cash register is the sophisticated and fully-detailed sales reports it provides. POS systems allow one to analyze sales in different ways. With several POS systems available on the market, it can be difficult to choose which one is appropriate for a business. Here are some ways to follow on purchasing a POS system for a particular business.

Establish your Budget

Purchasing POS Windows systems can be quite an expensive affair. The price can be anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000 per station, including the scanners, software, installation, training, support, and additional costs for integration into the company's existing systems. Make sure to allot a reasonable budget for the purchase so you will not be putting too much strain on your company's finances.

Identify Business Needs

Determine any particular needs of your business. This can help you narrow down the search as there are literally hundreds of retail software packages available today. Some software systems are designed for specific businesses such as boutiques, restaurants, and gift shops. There are others that are specifically designed for fast-moving retailers with thousands of daily transactions.

Ask Suggestions

When choosing POS Windows systems, it is also important to consider your customers. Ask customers about the aspects that they want the business to improve on. Customers can give a high-end perspective and deliberation on their shopping experience. Use their suggestions as basis on how you can choose a Windows-operated POS system for your business.