The term POS is an acronym that stands for point of sale system. The term however can mean many different things when it comes to the functionality of the software. Some people may call a cash register a POS system while are the same time a software solution that manages stock, promotions, marketing and more may also be called a point of sale system. The question that remains for us to consider is what point of sale software will meet our requirements.
Let's start with the simple cash register which in its more advanced stage may be a rom based system which means the user has access to more buttons whose function may be set using a separate computer and some configuration software supplied by the vendor. There are 2 main advantages of the cash register and that is simplicity of use and cost. A cash register basically records sales and gives you a very basic ability to associate sales with departments. In terms of cost they can come in at around $800 to $2500. However in terms of limitations you get no stock control facilities and your sales reports are generally very basic with total sales for different departments such as drinks, fish and chips etc. Also with the cost of computers continuing to dramatically come down the cost difference between a cash register and a computer including touch screen is diminishing every day.
Let's turn out attention now to POS software. Here you also get a lot of variance in the functions provided. Some software based systems may not offer stock control but almost all will give you more on demand detailed sales reporting from the category/department level down to the level of the individual product. This data is very critical to aid the business owner in analysing performance and making better decisions.
Different POS systems have different focuses. Some systems will focus on the restaurant sector with touch screen functionality, table management and kitchen order management. Other POS systems will be more parts/product orientated and offer varying levels of stock control functionality. This can vary from simple stock control as in receiving and selling and stocktake through to more advanced systems that support warehouse management. Then there are systems that go even further and offer integrated online store, marketing tools, loyalty programs, email promotion tools and more.
So what do you need in your POS? You need to look at what you need now and what you need to grow your business. The right POS software is not only about price, it is very much about what is going to help you grow. You might save several thousand dollars on a POS system compared to another system, but the other system would have provided functionality that boosted sales through online store integration, marketing and better management tools that would have made you an extra 20 or 50,000 or more each year. So the $2,000 you saved may be costing you $50,000 in cost savings and sales.
So what you need to do is completed a business case and think about this from a wholistic basis. Choosing a POS (point of sale) can be an incredible catalyst for growth, so invest the time so you can make the best choice.
PBSAPOS -your Australian specialist in POS and Point of Sale Software, quality low cost hardware including TouchScreen and Touch screen products.
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