POS Software Systems

The Total Retail Solution

There are essentially two parts to any retail POS system, and both of them have a crucial part to play in the overall running of the system itself. The two components can be broken down into hardware and software, and although much hardware can be bought from various suppliers and will do a decent job, when it comes to choosing from the various POS software systems great care needs to be taken to ensure the system contains all the elements needed for a particular retail establishment.

The introduction of point of sale software has been one of the major changes that have taken place in the way retail establishments are run, because not only does it help with great customer service and make sure that the retail billing systems are working properly, but can also ensure that the accounting is done to a high degree of accuracy, and can also play a large part in inventory control. With all this in mind it can be a good idea to make sure that any retailer engages the services of a POS systems consultant in order to make sure that everything runs smoothly. This can be especially true when the system needs to be installed for a particular retail store, which can include a small supermarket, a grocery store, or a restaurant.

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Pizza POS systems

However, even before the services of a professional consultant or sought, it is possible to take a look at some of the more better known POS systems available. These can include systems from Microsoft, Aloha, and Panasonic to name just three. A good method of implementation can be to choose a POS package, a ready made point of sale system. These are usually made for a particular type of retail establishment, such as a small supermarket, small store of other kind, a restaurant, or even a particular type of food outlet such as a pizza restaurant or even an ice cream parlor. There are also several specialist POS packages made for hospitality functions, including bar POS software, made specifically to help with liquor stock control and a specialist billing related to drinking establishments.

For a solid POS software system, a worthy contender is the Microsoft Retail Management System, a system made for small and mid-size retailers, including modules for inventory management, security, customized reporting, customer management and interface with QuickBooks. The system has two modules: the Retail Management System Store Operations and Retail Management System Headquarters. The first module operates individual store checkout lanes, while the second is a multiple-store POS solution, enabling merging of data from different checkout lanes and stores.

Floating POS interface

Another system is Perennial POS software, which can be used to track inventory and maintain customer histories, even including a webcam for customer and employee identification. For the power user, take a look at Xsilva LightSpeed POS software. Costing about $2,800 for five users it has a 'floating' POS interface for fast checkout. Images and information is presented in side panels for quick verification of products and customers. Credit card processing is built-in, along with barcode scanner, video advertising playback on monitor, and receipt printing including full color invoices.

It is in billing that this type of software has its real strength, and POS systems can make sure that bills are done to great accuracy, particularly when they are used with hardware such as handheld POS units and portable scanners. Many of these use touchscreen technology to make for ease-of-use, and are essentially wireless POS terminals which enable restaurant staff, for instance, to move easily from table to table.

Supermarket stock control

They can also be used for supermarket stock control, in that the staff can quickly move down the aisles and enter data anywhere within the store. This can sometimes need a specialist software solution, though many off-the-shelf POS packages now enable the billing software to link to the stock control, which means new stock can be ordered automatically, so that inventory never runs low.

Once you have decided which software is the best for you, you will then need to take a look at which hardware you need, which can include cash registers, barcode scanners, and terminals for credit card processing. There's a wide range choose from, and many POS consultants will also be able to help you with choosing the right ones for your needs.