Your POS System Buyer’s Guide

This article is to give you an overview of a POS system and tips on how to choose the right POS system. Take note on these steps as these are very crucial to your buying decision.

STEP 1: Define the needs of the business

Identify all the features, functionalities and services that is being used to run the business. The checkout process, inventory, and customer relationship management is very important.

So if you already have a POS in place, are you looking of upgrading? Identify the features missing in your current system and take note of any problems that you are currently having. Find any improvements that you can improve on.

As there complex processes in your business that you think can be simplified? Take note of them. It is recommended to talk to your employees, find what upgrades you can implement to improve productivity and efficiently for the staff.

STEP 2: Take note of the required hardware

This is where you can work out what needs to be done to make the POS work. There are systems that would require you to buy hardware, others operate on your existing equipment, others still need an iPad or laptop. Find out which is ideal for you?

Enumerate all the equipment that you need in the business; be sure that you include the number of units required for each hardware. If you already have an existing hardware and equipment in place, then write down each item’s brand and model for future reference especially when you need to look up various POS systems to see if they are compatible.

STEP 3: Set a budget

Harga POS vary, no POS system price are the same, depending on the size of the business (branches, customer, products, registers and etc.) and the capabilities needed. You can purchase POS systems with a one-time licensing fee or a recurring one, but they definitely depend on the nature and finances of your business. Having a licensing fee will free you from any recurring payments, but in line with this, it usually require a long-term contract and not as flexible as the subscription-based ones.

Remember, no Harga POS are the same – everything vary based on functionality, size and requirements of your business.

STEP 4: Audit and compare POS systems

You can do yourself some favor by researching on the POS solutions. This is where you need to get industry feedback and learn about the experiences of similar retailers. Do talk to other retailers and get their view on how the POS system worked out for them. You can also conduct an online research and check the different websites from several POS vendors. It would also be great to call POS vendors and ask about their products and services.

STEP 5: Check out the POS in action

POS systems are all about simplifying processes and improving the processes. So, if you want to check POS systems in action, go visit some retailers and see how it works. You can also do the DIY route and ask for a free trial to get the feel of how the POS works. You need to check the speed, functionality and the user-friendliness of each POS solution.

STEP 6: Get the setup right

As soon as you made your choice as to which POS vendor to go and have all the needed software and equipment, then it is time to get things set up and running. Setup vary as well, depending on the POS solution, the size and requirements that your business require. The POS vendor should be able to provide you with instructions that is clear so you can set it up properly, but if in doubt, they should be available to assist you or help you walk through the process.

STEP 7: Make the most out of the POS system

As soon as you have the system running, then find ways to make the most of. Check for apps, add-ons or hardware to enhance your POS and be able to make things more convenient and easy.

If you want a more comprehensive POS system buyer’s guide, you can download them online – there are a lot of available  information that you can access for free.