For restaurants and retail stores, a point of sale (POS) system can be a powerful tool to increase efficiency, customer service and sales. The POS system implemented can impact almost all daily operations. But the benefits of a POS system are only fully realized if the system is tailored to the business and its needs. This is why choosing the right POS system is so important – and why we’re offering guidance on the selection process and what you should consider when choosing a POS system.
Does the POS System Have a User-Friendly Interface?
If your POS system is simple and easy to learn, it will be much faster to train new employees. In industries with high turnover rates, this can save a significant amount of training time and associated costs. Additionally, POS systems that are easy to use reduce wait time and frustrations with customer-facing transactions.
A system that can easily handle multiple payment options, split checks, and make other aspects of the payment process go smoothly will improve the customer experience. Customers expect a smooth and fast checkout and returns process, on their terms. Consider the payment options accepted on the new system. Can the system offer a contactless experience? Can the system accommodate for chip, tap to pay, apple or Google pay?
Is the POS System Mobile?
Though sometimes a nice-to-have rather than a necessity, a mobile option can be a powerful conversion and convenience tool within your organization. A mobile POS can be either a powerful add on to a more traditional cash wrap point of sale layout, or a replacement designed to get sales people and customer service accessible where customers make decisions.
Mobile POS options can alleviate peak hours, long lines and customer disconnect, and rather allow servers to handle transactions conversationally, sales people to supply information and complete orders on the sales floor and generally offer greater convenience in all customer focused industries.
Does the POS System Provide Analytics?
Analytics are an important part of understanding store performance and customer trends – and ultimately increasing sales – in both retail stores and restaurants. Many systems also integrate employee management. Options for staff to This permits a deeper dive into performance and whether certain employees impact revenue in a positive (or negative) way.
Many POS system software can send managerial alerts for real time cash drawer pick-ups or other timely business insights. When choosing a POS system, ensure that it incorporates the analytics you need to run your business.
Is the POS System Secure?
Security continues to be a huge issue in many industries, including retail. There are important steps that all retail, and customer facing industry managers should take to prevent POS security breaches, but it’s essential to keep security at the forefront when choosing a POS system. The key is to select a system that balances convenience with protection. This allows for a fast checkout while keeping customer information safe. Chip readers and contactless payment integration aren’t just convenient for customers, they also add a level of security that should not be dismissed lightly. Look for data encryption, tokenization, and automatic updates features so the system stays up to date and secure.
Retail Tech carries a wide variety of new and refurbished POS equipment. We offer installation and staging, POS printer repairs, and more. If you need help choosing a POS system, contact our POS systems specialists for help finding the perfect point of sale solution for your small business.
This is an updated blog post that was originally published in 2019.
