Top Ten Things to Know When Choosing a POS System

Answers to the Top Ten questions when selecting a new POS System.

The Point of Sale News spoke with Sean Connors of POS Prophet Systems about how new buyers should go about selecting a point of sale system. Below are the 10 key questions Connors suggests you consider before purchasing a new POS System.

1. QUESTION: It seems as though there are as many POS software programs as there are fish in the sea. How do I choose?

ANSWER: Like any business, the POS software arena has seen dramatic changes over the years. Although there are still a large number of players in the game, they may not all be the perfect fit for your operation for a number of reasons. With technology changing as rapidly as it is, and the payment processing industry changing every day, be sure to do your homework and select a company who is ahead of the curve with current technology and security standards.

2. QUESTION: What are the biggest differences in these companies and what they offer?

ANSWER: Most POS software is sold through channel VAR’s (Value Added Resellers). These VAR’s typically offer local representation and limited local support. However, they rarely have any control over product quality and/or enhancements. If you think your business’ needs may change over time, you may want to seek a vendor who develops, delivers and supports their own POS software.

3. QUESTION: How do I know the software will work for my business?

ANSWER: Unfortunately, you never truly know this until you implement the system. Some companies offer free trials and/or “pay-as-you-go” monthly subscription pricing models. If you are not 100% confident, you may want to inquire about these. Another good practice is to check references. Look for other users who have a business model that is similar to yours. You can also look through case studies (many can be found here on pointofsale.com).

4. QUESTION: Customer service is important to me. How do I know I will get the help I need when I need it?

ANSWER: Don’t be surprised if some vendors charge for support. Also, don’t take this as a negative. Particularly in the early years, you will need help with any new system. Embrace the fact that help is available and again, check references in regard to support service.

5. QUESTION: I’m not a “computer geek.” I am a retail management professional. Can I get a system that is easy to use for my staff?

ANSWER: A worthwhile system should NOT be determined by your computer expertise, but by your vendor’s expertise and their ability to provide you with a system that you can easily operate. The best vendors in the POS software industry can offer you software that is completely user-friendly. Be wary of a vendor trying to sell you something you don’t understand, need, want, and can’t easily operate. Don’t worry if you don’t know LAN and WAN from frying pan! The best vendors offer expertise so you don’t have to “geek up” to accomplish your software goals.

6. QUESTION: I plan to open additional stores in the future. How do I know my system will grow with me and support multiple stores?

ANSWER: It is critical not to fall into the trap where your POS is not scalable enough to support your business as it grows. Look for a vendor that has had success supporting multi-site retailers in the past. Make sure the technology supports real-time centralized transaction processing instead of scheduled batches. The best way to find this information is to ask for multi-site references using the products and follow up with those merchants.

7. QUESTION: How does my credit card processing interface with my POS?

ANSWER: With the availability of high-speed internet connections, you should be processing your credit card transactions over the internet with three-second response times or better. Look for a system that eliminates dial-up payment terminals. These transactions are a bottle-neck when you’re 10-deep in customers at the counter.

8. QUESTION: What happens if my computer crashes?

ANSWER: While rare, this does happen. What does your vendor do in this case? Do they have a backup and recovery plan for you? Do they require anti-virus software to minimize crashes? Can they move the database server and restore your data to another computer quickly?

9. QUESTION: I would like to sell my products online in addition to my storefront. Are their POS systems that\ integrate with e-commerce applications? I do not want to do double the work on these transactions.

ANSWER: Some POS vendors integrate with third-party shopping cart applications. Although they are few, some actually offer a fully-integrated web store of their own. These typically tie directly to the inventory, customer management and POS systems in real time.

10. QUESTION: Can a POS system actually pay for itself, providing a true ROI?

ANSWER: YES!! However, you must decide on the correct system for your particular business. If pricing controls are a current problem for you, make sure the system resolves this. If you need to send targeted email marketing based on customer data in the POS, make sure the system addresses that need. If you spend a great deal of money on tedious manual processes that are unique to your business, find out if the POS system can eliminate those processes and save you that money.


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Benefits of POS in Condor Systems

In the everyday hush-rush of life there are numerous angles that you have to cover in your day by day life. The services require can be for expert or personal purposes. In the event that you are a businessman, then you would clearly understand the need of diverse services require for your everyday business activities. It is important to have all the machines and equipment’s that work impeccably and in place. These equipment’s or machines if does not work appropriately, then can turn into an obstacle in the daily flow of work productively and effectively.

One of such services incorporates Point of Sale services. Point of purchase or checkout is the area where a transaction happens. Checkout basically refers to a POS terminal or more generally to hardware and software, which is utilized for checkouts. For all these services it is important to have a service provider who will offer you the finest POS services and items. On the off chance that you tested about the service provider, then you don’t need to stress any longer, Condor solutions is an online service supplier who will offer you the finest POS services and items to upgrade the working proficiency of your business.

Touch screen terminal is the most renowned and demanding product among all our clients and customers. They come in distinctive sizes, designs, shapes and models with numerous remarkable and interesting applications. You can pick the terminal as per your needs and prerequisites and serve your clients without breaking a sweat and your fulfillment. Have profit from the believable, solid and moderate Point of Sale services and give clients the best quality and opportune administration.

5 Steps On How To Choose The Right POS System

The Point of Sale (POS) system that you choose will have a significant impact on your profitability. With competing companies offering their products as the first choice in POS systems, making the right choice for your specific business can be difficult. Many businesses are looking to Magento POS as an all-in-one solution that provides the tools they need to expand their business and increase their sales.

Before determining that Magento POS is the right choice for you, consider what your specific needs are and then determine if this is the POS that best matches what you hope to accomplish. Following these steps will help you make the best choice to increase your profits.

1. Establish Your Primary Objectives – Instead of focusing on how many features the POS system has, think about what you want to accomplish with your business and which accomplishments are the most important of all. The POS system you choose should be exceptional in the areas that matter to you, not with those that you may never need.

2. Consider the Company that Makes the System – What kinds of support do they offer after you make the purchase. The company that makes Magento POS is a very large company with an excellent reputation for providing support and helping customers who have difficulty with the robust system.

3. Who is selling the product? – The vendor you make the purchase from should be able to demonstrate the product for you and provide you with testimonials from other customers. You should also consider whether they are certified to provide training and support. An established vendor with an in-depth knowledge of the POS system will make your life easier while you are trying to implement any new system.

4. Ease of Use – Too often, businesses choose the system that has the most features instead of the ones that will perform best for their needs. The more unnecessary features there are, the more difficult it will be to navigate. Getting a deal on a system that is too difficult to use is no deal at all. Consider whether it provides you with options for giving discounts or taking special orders with ease if those are services that you provide in your business.

5. Allow Room for Growth – When your business takes off in the future, you don’t want to go through the hassle of changing your POS system. Keep future potential for growth in mind and any plans that you have to expand in size or in offerings when you purchase a POS system. Magento POS is a customizable, highly scalable solution that will allow you to easily expand to include an expansive number of products and adapt its behavior accordingly without the need to change platforms or without a lot of associated costs.

Consider your purchase of a POS system based on your needs today and for the future. Many businesses find that Magento POS offers the easy installation and use that they need while providing more than 50 payment gateways for greater flexibility.

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How to Start a Retail Business; A Step-by-Step Guide

Source: http://sh.st/POkg

1. Determine which Type of Retail Business Model is Right You
You will need to decide which type of retail model is right for you. You may also want to consider whether you want to launch your own retail business or buy into a franchise opportunity.

2. Find the Right Location
As a new retail business you definitely need to be where your customers are - and almost certainly need to get it right first time.

3. Finance your Retail Venture
You will need funds to support start-up costs such as inventory, fixtures and fittings, marketing and advertising, as well as employee salaries, and so on.

4. Determine Your Business Structure - Do you want to go it Alone or in Partnership?
It's worth thinking about. If you don't have family or friends who can help out with the day-to-day logistics of running a retail operation, a business partner can help.

5. Take Care of the Regulatory Requirements involved in Starting and Operating a Business
It doesn't matter whether you are starting a retail business out of your home or on Main Street, there are several regulatory and legal fundamentals that you must attend to.