Not long ago, using a traditional cash registry and credit card reader was forgivable because there were not much alternatives back then. Plus, people always find it easy to just stick with the way things were. Some just do not want to conform to change, but at this present time, whether they like it or not, they will have to.
The fact is, there are now a lot of options that can replace the current cash registry system, and one of those options might be the perfect one to use for your business. It might probably be cheaper as well. Business owners need to take a look around – they owe it to themselves, in order to be more efficient and succeed in their business because losing out on sales is not an option, definitely not in Singapore!
For those that are not familiar with the point of sales (POS) system, it is actually made up of a standard computer, with its own cash box and a scanner run by a special software that offers retail automation that replaces the traditional cash registry. Whatever type of POS system or terminal that is chosen, POS systems help resolve issues that come up with regards to sales and inventories not adding up. It can also help in automating markdowns and is able to track them with accuracy – ending up eliminating the register receipts headaches!
So if the business owner have more than one branch, the great thing about these POS systems is that the prices and offers are staying the same and consistent. Others also have added features or add-on modules. Other POS systems have additional features such as payroll time clocks and customer preference databases. With these taken into account, the automation system that the POS terminals have made it easy for employees with inventory and register reconciliation, so more time can be spent providing customer service.
To choose which type of system is better for small to medium-sized business owner, it will have to depend on their preferences and needs as well as what features/add-ons they require. Here is a list of different options to consider when in search for the perfect POS system.
VEND
This is considered to be the most popular and easiest to manage POS solution. There are a lot of retailers who uses VEND in managing their sales, customers, inventories and loyalty programs or rewards. The VEND solution is compatible with Shopify and Xero (bookkeeping software solution). It has the ability to work with the existing hardware and equipment such as the receipt printers and cash drawers – what is needed is a web browser on the computer, iPad or an Andoid device.
The cost of the VEND is dependent on the size of the package, which is billed annually per outlet, register and a limit of 1000 products and customers, 10 users and an email support.
SQUARE
Another popular POS solution that is FREE and also user-friendly. It features a customizable item library, staff management, business analytics, pricing options and sales reporting that can fit to any businesses. Also supports debit and credit cards on the iOS and any Android devices.
QUICKBOOKS
This solution has the option to track sales, customers as well as the inventory in a simple and fast manner. It has three different versions such as the Basic, Pro and Multi-store. The main advantage of using Quickbooks over the rest of them is that is it fully integrated with the GoPayment and the Quickbooks accounting software. The downside of Quickbooks is that it is not applicable to all types of businesses like full-service restaurants and retail stores that have a very basic setup.
SHOPKEEP
This is a cloud-based iPad system which is easy to use and customizable. It can keep tabs on inventories, employee hours and it has the capacity to fully understand the customers in order to help grow the business. Data is always kept secure and is easily accessible no matter where you are at. It can integrate with Paypal and LevelUp and setting up loyalty programs or rewards is easy.
GROUPON
You may have heard of the name. It is a POS system that offers marketing/customer retention features. Furthermore, it also offers Groupon Merchant POS which includes the Groupon Scheduler, Groupon Payments and the Groupon Rewards.
Depending on the choice of point of sales system, it is recommended to do some research, compare their features and capabilities and mind if it is optimized properly according to the needs of the business. Whatever the price or features if offers, it will all boil down to the specific requirement of the business it will be implemented to.