Point of Sale (POS) Systems: Looking For Answers? Here Are The Answers To Some Of The Most Common Questions!
POS systems vs. paper records?
Everybody knows that recording data by hand can take you so long, now imagine recording every business transaction by hand, you’ll think it’ll probably take you weeks or even months. And it still doesn’t include the time to duplicate the information into a spreadsheet or database for further analysis! A POS system can keep track of all sales, returns, taxes, inventory, etc. so you’d be able to concentrate more on the other needs of your business. While POS takes an investment to get started, the time savings and productivity increase more than makes up for the expenditure.
I’m not very good with computers. Can I still use a POS system?
Yes. A vendor can help you in setting up the software to perform tasks as you want it to be. You’ll then be able to navigate through a series of menus that’s easy to follow. When the vendor sets your POS system, they will provide full training with you and your staff for how to use it. And if you have a problem, a POS customer service professional is just a phone call away!
What are the proper equipments I should use to get set up?
You will need a phone connection, internet connection, and working electrical outlets. If you have these components, vendors can set you up with POS in a cinch! You don’t even need to own a computer because most vendors provide it as part of their package deal.
Does a POS system really help thwart theft?
Stop shrinkage before it eats into your profits!. There are various applications which allows you to track every item in your inventory so you can estimate exactly how much profit you should realize for every sale and pinpoint problems with your margins. If there are discrepancies, it will raise immediate red flags so you be warned that there are problems that needs immediate action.
Can POS handle sales or manage inventory?
Your POS can handle both task! You can input all the information you want AND check out the inventory… the best part of it is that’s only the beginning, there are lots more you can do with POS. POS terminal and software also allows the tracking of sales performance, generate different reports, set up reminders for inventory that needs to be restocked, as well as plan for future sales campaigns. You can use the customer data you collect for targeting effective sales campaigns and fill your shelves with their mostly purchased items.
When do I need wireless?
Business people on the go depend on wireless POS technology, particularly those that do trade shows, work in restaurants, or conduct any business where they want to enter transactions without having to walk over to a stand alone POS terminal.
Should I go straight for a flat-screen LCD monitor, or start off with CRT monitors?
There are too many benefits to LCD displays over CRT that you shouldn’t ignore. LCD monitors are attractive for customers, easy to place on top of any counter table, doesn’t need much electricity and lasts longer. For low volume of sales, CTR screens will be fine and if you are not really sure that POS is right for your business. But with the additional benefits when it comes to flat screens, there will be little cost difference between the two.
What printer is best for my business: a thermal printer or a dot matrix printer?
You’ll find that most businesses prefer to use thermal printers since they have less moving parts so they last longer. It’s also the only option if you are going to work wirelessly. Even so, the dot-matric printers are a safer choice for hospitality kitchens since the heat from the ovens, grills, and fryers could damage the paper and ink of thermal printers.
What happens if my POS suddenly breaks down while conducting business?
This is why back ups are so important for any type of business. System failures can and will happen eventually, without warning – power outages, system crashes, viruses, natural disasters, etc. By having a backup solution in place (more preferable is an offsite backup so your critical data is protected), you ensure the system is always up and running when you need it the most. More importantly, by backing up data, you ensure you can retrieve all customer information, your sales figures and reports you’ve saved prior to the crash.
How about customer support?
Well, customer support vary from vendor to vendor, so there isn’t a simple answer to this question. While one might have round-the-clock telephone support and local repair technicians, others may only have phone support during normal business hours and can only schedule repair requests a full day in advance.
This is one of the key advantages to meeting with multiple vendors during your POS search, you can look into the offerings of different vendors and take your time before making a purchasing decision.
Does POS work if I have multiple locations?
For large-sized businesses that needs several POS systems in various locations, you generally have two options. The first option, you can have all locations operate independently with their own POS terminals and software. You can then send reports over to the corporate offices at the end of the day or week.
The second option involves connecting all terminals to a central server allowing reports and sales figures to be uploaded and downloaded in real time. The benefit of the second option is that it’s available remotely. But, since several POS terminals will be working on the same server, expect backlogs when sending information all at once.
With both solutions, you have to think about having a robust back up solution since all locations shares the same server – and if it fails, all locations may stop operating.
Does my POS software needs license?
You typically need an individual license for each terminal hosted on your network. Vendors can offer volume discounts depending on the number of licenses you need.
Do I need to purchase a service contract?
It maybe part of the expense but surely worth it. Once you get set up with a POS system, you’ll be able to use for day-to-day business operations and analysis of your business. If the machine breaks down or you experience a disaster, you probably don’t want to keep it any longer.
Depending on the vendor, a maintenance contract can cost a few hundred dollars per year and provide you with peace of mind so you can concentrate on running and growing your business.
Need more information or an online resource?
Go to POS-For-Restaurants.com for access to multiple quotes for your Restaurant Point of Sale System.
The author of this article is the Vice-President of Customer Relations at POS-For-Restaurants with over 20 years of experience serving businesses all over the U.S.