A Point of Sale (POS) system is very important for any restaurant or retail store that handles transactions with customers face-to-face. This includes cashiers and wait staff at fast food restaurants, convenience stores, grocery stores, etc. A POS system allows them to quickly ring up purchases on a computerized register and make change as needed. It also allows them to record gift card and other promotional transactions, handle returns, voids and adjustments.
POS systems began as simple cash registers on a counter or on top of a desk. They have evolved into computer software programs that are installed on the computers used by each retail floor clerk for processing sales. While they still perform many of the same functions as a traditional cash register, POS systems can also automate other functions that were previously done manually by the clerk.
POS System Types:
In the retail industry there are mainly three types of POS systems :
- Traditional Cash Registers
- Touch Screen Point Of Sale Systems
- Barcode Scanner Based Point Of Sale Systems
Traditional Cash Registers:
These devices have a small screen and a cash drawer attached. They are programmed to record items that are taken from or returned to the stock, calculate tax and print out reports of all transactions. A traditional cash register has a keypad for entering prices and calculating totals, buttons for printing reports and voiding sales, and a cash drawer for holding money until it is counted and deposited.
The traditional registers may not be connected to the internet or print receipts, but they are very fast and effective in processing transactions at any retail store.
Touch Screen Point Of Sale Systems:
These systems are made up of large-screen touch computers that interface with the POS software, cash drawers, printers and scanners.
Touch screen Point Of Sale Systems are available in two types: Stand-alone Touch Screen Point of Sale System or Integrated Touch Screen Point of Sale System. Stand-alone systems allow you to place the computer anywhere on your counter top for easy access, whereas integrated systems are pre-built with the touch screen on the system, cash drawer and receipt printer.
Touch screen POS systems are very fast in processing transactions at any retail store. They can handle credit cards, debit cards, gift certificates, loyalty cards & coupons, produce scales and other peripheral devices that are typically used in a retail environment. They also have the latest security features that allow you to accept credit cards or debit cards safely regardless of your internet connection.
Barcode Scanner Based Point Of Sale Systems:
These systems are new in the market, they are very fast in processing transactions at any retail store. They have all the features that are found in traditional POS system plus it can read barcodes on products, printed labels and even mobile phones. They can handle credit cards, debit cards, gift certificates, loyalty cards & coupons, produce scales and other peripheral devices that are typically used in a retail environment. They also have the latest security features that allow you to accept credit cards or debit cards safely regardless of your internet connection.
These systems are very fast as they do not require any manual entries and can process thousands of transactions in a day. They are also more flexible in nature as they have wireless connectivity options that allow you to check inventory, receive pricing & promotion updates from the central server and print receipts from anywhere within your stores.