Posts Tagged ‘Retail POS System’
The task of choosing what retail POS system to use would be better if done by the business owner, since it is critical and very important for the success of any business. It is the core around which everything moves. You should have great confidence in – and receive performance from – the system that handles all transactions, stock management and all other action in your supply chain and tracking.
Let’s point out some of the important questions you might want to ask yourself when choosing a Retail System:
What Type Of Business Are You?
know that there are two categories of Point of Sale systems: The Restaruant/Hospitality and Retail. Restaurants are a bit of a different breed – what we are going to focus on is Retail POS Systems.
With retail, pricing on Point Of Sale Systems can range from hundreds to tens thousands of dollars. There are POS systems customized for every type of business under the sun, from Gift Shops and Self-Service Kiosks to Convenient Stores and Computer Shops.
Custom features are great BUT: the most important feature your retail system must posses is the ease of use. Besides, what good can a feature be if it’s too hard to use or it got buried among the other “so-called” great features that you’re not even aware of its existence? Business owners are choosing a much simpler, stream-lined retail POS systems that focuses on the fundamentals and deliver them perfectly. This is why a growing number of entrepreneurs are using web based POS systems to satify their retail computer needs.
Choosing for the right POS computer & software
Do you prefer Windows? Mac OS X? Perhaps Linux? You can find great POS Systems that has the same power as any of these platforms, so that you can use whichever you’re familiar with.
As it was in the past, POS systems were typically installed as software packages and installed on business computers, similar with MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint come packaged on Windows OS. Unfortunately, software based POS Systems present many problems and vulnerabilities that a lot of small and medium sized business have found worrisome.
About software updates? What if my computer suffer breakdowns? How do I backup and save all my files? What if the computer platform needs patches or vulnerabilities come forth in the operating system or software?
These are questions you shouldn’t have to deal with as a business owner- afterall, so why waste money in a POS System that causes even more problems and doubts? Web based retail systems are solving these problems for small retailers.
With a Web-Based Retail System:
- Software patches and features are automatically added and updated. You never have to make manual updates your software, downloads and changes. Someone else takes care of it for you.
- Since the POS solution is web based, you can access your inventory from any computer in the world with an internet connection. A computer that breaks becomes less of a problem.
- What happens if your computer had a breakdown and it cannot be fixed? Using a web based POS you can recover even if your actual computer crashes}.
Do You Have a Dedicated Retail IT Department?
I guess not! Read further down so you’d know how vital it is to have a retail IT staff updating of your systems.
What if something went wrong with your system, how long can you afford for your business to be “down”? How long will it take to define your problem via telephone or e-mail and to be walked through the steps? How long will it take an IT staff to arrive to fix your POS System?
That’s why a web based POS is easier to use – the IT experts can log into your system and fix the problem for you. This eases many of the support problems inherent of typical desktop software based retail point of sale systems.
POS Bundles or Mix and Match?
If you’re going to implement POS systems to your newly established business for the first time, you can buy a package that that includes every parts and components essential in running immediately… from your computer to your to your bar code scanners, receipt printers and other input devices. Discounts and special offers comes from buying POS bundles, and for many business owners this is seems to be a great idea.
Other retail businesses may have existing hardware they’d like to use with their new system. Or, they can be cost conscious companies that are would want to achieve affordability purchasing renovated hardware and use of existing hardware.
So What’s The Right Choice to Make?
While companies seeking POS Systems are typically looking for customized hardware and traditional software bundles, small and medium sized businesses “in the know” would prefer a web based retail point of sale solutions because it’s flexible, low-cost and overall ability to deliver complete and accurate results.
Why not have a qualified POS professional discuss your needs?
More details can be found at Retail-POS-Solutions.com
Are you in the process of looking at a new computer system? Regardless of whether you are looking at a system for your office or retail business, there are a couple of things you should keep in mind when installing systems that will help run your operations and store all of your critical data.
1. Network cabling. Most systems are PC-based, designed to run on MS Windows technology. All parts of your POS system will communicate over data cables. Even though wireless communications have become increasingly popular both for home and office environments, I would still prefer to “hardwire” your computer stations. Some vendors include this service in their bid; others specify that cabling must be contracted through a third-party vendor.
In spite of who will work on the cabling, make sure all cables are properly plugged and tested before installing any equipment. Each part of the retail POS system will require a cable drop. A cable drop is the wiring between a computer and its Ethernet transceiver.
For POS systems, the retail business should be wired with CAT 5 or 6 network cabling that runs from every conceivable POS workstation, remote printer or KDS, office computer, hostess station, delivery order desks, cashier stations and network server to a “home run” area such as a central patch panel, preferably located in your telephone or electrical room or closet. Cabling routes need to ensure that cables are at least 24 inches from fluorescent fixtures, neon transformers and electrical motors, as these devices can cause communications interference.
2. Electrical. Install dedicated and isolated circuits that all of your POS, computers, network devices such as hubs and routers, and phone systems can share. No other electrical equipment should be on this circuitry. I would prefer getting your network, phone, and electrical service to be near to each other. An isolated circuit means that the circuit has a ground separate from that of the rest of the electrical circuits in your business. This helps prevent spikes and surges that may destroy motherboards and hard drives. Note, however, you may still want to use surge protectors at each workstation.
3. Efficiently designed workspace. When designing the workstation area, be sure to leave ample space to comfortably fit the equipment needed there. A flat roomy space for server stations should be large enough to place your computer monitor, guest check printer, and possibly a credit card terminal if you are planning to use separate credit card equipment. There should be enough space directly underneath the workspace to house the computer, surge protector/power strip and a battery backup.
If you plan to place your workstations on millwork surfaces such as granite or woodwork, have your contractor pre-drill holes where to run cables or power cords beneath the surface. A 2-inch hole would be enough space for cords and cables on most POS systems.
For cashier and bartender stations, tabletop space should also be large enough to perfectly fit a cash drawer and an order confirmation customer display. Most cash drawers have a footprint (space requirement) of 15- to 17-inch depth; 16- to 20-inch width; and 3.5- to 4-inch height. Be sure to get the drawer specifications from your supplier in advance if you are building a custom countertop so that the drawer is recessed into or underneath the counter.
4. Maintenance Plans. Most vendors will offer some type of maintenance plan as part of the original agreement. The fact is, business grade systems are composed of materials that will not last forever especially in retail businesss. Printers will eventually break, fans will slowl fail, and hard drives will crash. How frequently depends on the conditions in which your system is installed. Dirt, dust, heat and moisture are the most common threat to office and restaurant POS equipment.
I’ve seen some systems that rarely experience problems while others deal with them constantly. The best thing a retail business owner can do is to invest in good equipment and maintain it to reduce future damages. Many retail business POS solutions provider will offer ongoing service plans that are basically extended warranties. The annual cost for these services usually ranges from 10% to 20% of the original purchase price.
Computer systems represent a sizable investment. But if you dedicate the time and planning required to properly put in place and maintain the system, you are more apt to be rewarded a return on your investment by getting the most from your system in cost reduction, labor savings, and ensuring that you can account for all cash.
The Author is the Vice President of Customer Relations at Retail-POS-Solutions.com. With over 20 years of retail business experience, Retail POS Solutions.com helps ensure that your retail POS system is more efficient and your business more profitable.