What you’ll learn:
- How many kinds of POS systems there are
- What different features and capabilities you can use with different POS systems
- Which POS system is right for your retail business
We’ve certainly come a long way from simple cash registers and sales ledgers. These days, no matter what you’re selling or where you’re selling it from, there’s a sophisticated point of sale system designed to suit your business needs.
And with a number of choices around, it’s worth understanding and comparing point of sale systems and the features they include to find the right fit for your retail business.
Different kinds of point of sale systems available for retailers right now
Counter-based point of sale systems
If you think of a store, you think of taking your items to the front counter to buy them, so the traditional counter-based POS system isn’t likely to disappear any time soon.
For most retailers, a counter-based POS setup consists of a PC or laptop, POS software, barcode scanners, cash drawer and receipt printers. If you’re using a counter-based system your POS software should be enabled to suggest up-selling and cross-selling options to customers, in-depth reports on sales and stock so you can adapt inventory to demand and ideally be cloud-based with an offline mode capability so you can sell even in the annoying event that the internet goes down in-store.
Mobile point of sale systems
Counter terminals still have their place for most stores, but retailers no longer need to be tethered by wires. Flexible mobile POS systems allow retailers to set up their POS on a tablet to access real-time data on the go.
With a mobile point of sale system, staff can approach customers on the shop floor, see inventory availability, show customers alternative products and even make sales directly from their tablets. It’s a convenient option for large stores and retailers with complex inventories.
Online/eCommerce point of sale systems
Today’s online shoppers expect to get the same level of service and experience as they receive in-store, so the more consistent, seamless and valuable you can make your eCommerce store and checkout process, the better chance you have of converting interest into sales.
Choosing an eCommerce POS system that features a smooth, mobile-responsive design and integrates your reporting, logistics and inventory will ensure your online store is easy to operate and manage and gives your customers the experience they’re expecting.
Omnichannel point of sale systems
For a truly best practice approach, your in-store and online sales operations should be running from one centralised, integrated system.
That means one omnichannel POS system that manages and monitors your stock levels, pricing, customers and other crucial data. Today’s customers often have an omnichannel shopping approach, starting online and viewing Live Stock In-Store levels or purchasing through Click & Collect to save on delivery — so expect to see accurate stock levels and a pooled inventory that only comes from a connected POS system.
Set your business up for success with a POS system that does it all
Now that you’ve compared different point of sale systems and their features, you might be wondering how you can access them all. Maybe you want an in-store counter system and the option to give staff tablets to help customers on the go, plus have a popular eCommerce site you want to integrate?
With Retail Express, you can implement a smart point of sale system that gives you in-store, mobile, eCommerce and even offline capability all in one, cloud-based system. That means you’re set up to take your business anywhere you want it to go, with as much simplicity or complexity as you need at the time.
Want to understand how our POS system works across channels and locations? Book a personalised demo with one of our retail experts today to see for yourself how your business can use one system to do everything.
