Choosing Point of Sale Software for Your Shop

Most customer facing retail outlets rely on an electronic till or an electronic point of sale (EPOS) system. Systems are designed to cope with popular retail businesses such as hotels, newsagents, retail shops and catering businesses. Once set up, systems are difficult to swap out. This is because point of sale software dictates inventory decisions, supplier purchasing, marketing, and the day-to-day effectiveness of your new shop.

Traditional shop tills form the life blood of retail businesses, accepting money is in the form of cash, credit and debit cards and checks. Today's newest point of sale software systems provide an advanced range of functionality for retailers. The software can integrate electronic point of sale processes, with their inventory management software, purchasing process and website ordering. As customers expect to be able to buy online, it is becoming increasingly important for retail outlets to connect their shop till with their website. This helps to ensure orders can be fulfilled, and stock levels managed appropriately. POS software is a form of business software, which aims to integrate the core sales and ordering functions of a firm together.

Many point of sale tills are fully computerised and fully utilise ordinary personal computers (PC's). So as a business owner you will experience a dizzying array of choices, between suppliers of point of sale software systems for your new shop. Choosing the most appropriate point of sale hardware and software can become a daunting task. It is easy to become over whelmed by software functionality product features and graphic demonstrations. When comparing the software, ask the sales representative for a practical demonstration and in the context of your small business.

When choosing a software supplier, you are making a long-term commitment to partner that supplier for the continued success of your retail operation. So think carefully about how stable that software supplier is. Picking the cheapest solution may limit your ability to upgrade, or ask for technical support when the system fails. Broadly speaking the richness of the functionality increases with cost. There are many off-the-shelf packages to choose. Before you jump in and buy the first solution you see, speak to other shop owners in your local area. Try and learn the pros and cons of their till systems.

EPOS terminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated with a wide range of hardware features. These include a more solid and robust physical design, with lockable cases. However, focus on the POS software functionality before choosing the hardware. The software you choose, will dictate a number of compatible terminal hardware devices. One of the most important buying criteria is usually how easy the software is to use. Most point of sale software suppliers will allow you to download a trial version of the software before you buy. The solutions they offer normally reside on a personal compute. Sometimes they also operate modern electronic terminals. When choosing a system, you may also need to purchase additional hardware, (such as magnetic-card reader, operator monitor, cash till, label printers, bar code scanners, cash tills, touch screens, and receipt printers).

The main functionality or point of sale software, includes the ability to provide customer printed quotations, wholesale prices, discount reporting, a customer database, key accounts summaries, product recall, stock control, charging back facility and the ability to issue credit notes. Software solutions can also be connected to your back-office systems, to provide statistical information on the movement of stock, data for purchasing and marketing decisions. This can help avoid under or stocking products, due to lack of information. Most retail systems also link to a handheld scanning device, to assist in the stock-taking process. Some more expensive solutions can also connect with your accounting software system. This provides invaluable real-time data, to understand for cash flows and sales turnover.