POS Software
Will you be paying with cash, debit or credit card?
In simple terms, point of sale software is a computer program that replaces old-fashioned cash registers. It tallies sales totals, figures out the tax and even opens the cash drawer at the correct times (and as a bonus, it tells you how much change customers are owed – a serious advantage when you're doing three things at once, making it difficult to subtract). A good point of sale (POS) program will make life easier for any retail store operator or employee.
When you're looking at a POS system, there are a number of different features you'll need to understand. If you're interested in having access to your inventory files at your checkout, you'll need to look for retail POS software that manages inventory and sales in the same interface. This will make it easier and faster for staff to serve customers. As well, many programs are bar code compatible, which can decrease the time customers spend at the checkout.
POS systems are also designed to manage customer payments in different forms. If you accept credit cards as a method of payment, you'll want to look into credit card processing software. When combined with a card swiper, these programs speed up payment and ensure greater protection against fraud. Credit card software can work as a stand-alone program, or it can work with your existing programs to supplement your cash system.
Features and Benefits
POS software:
- Manages cash, debit and credit cards in one system.
- Can track inventory and manage cash flow.
- Speeds up interactions with customers at the register, giving employees more time to focus on customer service instead of math.
Top Choices
- PC Charge Pro is described as the industry standard for PC credit card processing. This program handles all credit cards and works with Windows.
- Multipost Retail Systems offers software and peripheral devices to match, making it simple to get everything you need in one stop.
- Volanté POS Systems works with Windows, Mac OS or Linux, so your operating system isn't a determining factor.
Major Considerations
- Will I need to purchase any additional hardware to use this product, such as USB card swipers or bar code scanners?
- Will I be able to upgrade the software easily and free of charge, or is it a one-time purchase?
- What kind of technical support is offered? Can it be reached at all times?
- Does the credit card processing software accept all credit cards?
Price Range
Prices for this type of software vary. Credit card processing software, for example, may have a monthly fee (say $14.99) covering access to the system. Other programs start at around $200 to $300 and increase from there depending on the level of sophistication the program offers. And don't forget the cost of hardware like USB swipers (starting around $80) or bar code scanners (starting around $100). A fully integrated system that includes POS and inventory control can run you several thousand dollars.
Summary
Before you buy POS software, you'll have to decide what your needs are. Think about what you'd like the software to accomplish and how you're going to implement it in your workplace. When used properly, POS software can help track inventory, increase efficiency and, by extension, improve profits, so check out the free trials and software demos online to see which program might be right for you.
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