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  • A Beginner’s Guide to POS Software and Systems

    A Beginner’s Guide to POS Software and Systems

    Investing in a point of sale (POS) system is one of the best things you can do for your business, but with so many options on the market, how do you determine which POS hardware and software best suit your business needs and your budget?

    This guide can help you get on the right path to finding the perfect POS system for your business.

    Step 1: Define Business Needs

    No one wants to waste time and money on a POS solution that lacks needed capabilities, or has unnecessary features that increase the price. To avoid purchasing a system that isn’t right for your business, you need to identify the specific challenges that you will need your new POS system to address.

    Start by asking yourself:

    • Is business suffering because customers must often wait in long lines at the POS?
    • Do shoppers frequently leave your establishment empty-handed because you don’t have the merchandise they want?
    • Are you spending too much time managing employees or trying to find out why your sales volume often doesn’t jibe with your inventory levels?
    • Do you want to attract new customers?

    Once you have clearly identified your business needs, research which POS functions address them. The list of functions you need your new system to provide will help narrow the field of choices when you shop for a new POS system.

    Step 2: Set a Budget

    Decide how much your business can afford to spend on a POS system. By most accounts, the average industry investment in POS systems total 2 to 3 percent of retailers’ annual volume, and 1 to 1.5 percent of restaurant operators’ annual volume. Consider ongoing costs, such as software maintenance/updates, hardware maintenance, and technical support.

    Step 3: Shop for Software

    As you consider your options, you will find that not every software solution is compatible with all POS hardware. Selecting your software first will prevent you from being limited in functionality.

    There are different types of software you can choose from:

    • Native: Native POS software is installed on your POS hardware. It is easier to customize then cloud-based software.
    • Cloud-based software (Software-as-as-Service, or SaaS): In a SaaS model, software is delivered via the cloud, and you pay for it on a monthly subscription basis. Also, cloud-based software can be accessed from anywhere there is an Internet connection, giving you enhanced visibility into, and control over your operation. Customizing this type of software may be difficult.
    • Hybrid software: This software can be run online in the cloud or offline.

    Step 4: Find Compatible Hardware

    The POS software you choose will dictate the POS hardware that you can use. In many cases, however, there will still be a number of options to choose from. Some of the choices you must make are related to how your employees will use the system. For example:

    • What is the preferred input method? Some operators favor keyboards or a scanner interface for POS data input, while others prefer a touchscreen interface that facilitates faster data input and easier training for new employees.
    • Will you use mobile POS? POS functionality on a tablet or other mobile device can give you line-busting, in aisle assist, and pay-at-the-table capabilities that can greatly enhance customer experiences. Your options include adding mobile POS to a traditional, stationary system, or using mobile POS alone.
    • Which peripherals are needed? You need to consider printers, cash drawers, PIN pads, payment card readers, and barcode scanners, and select the model that best suits your needs.
    • Will you accept all forms of payment? Make sure your new system gives your customers the ability to pay by their preferred method. Now that the U.S. is migrating toward EMV payments, all new POS systems should have the ability to accept chip card payments. Failure to do so can result in bearing liability for fraudulent payment card changes. Also consider trends that indicate emerging payment types. Mobile wallet use, for example, is gaining ground. To accept payments of this type, you’ll need POS solutions that include near field communications (NFC) technology.
    • Which terminal design do you prefer? A traditional POS terminal design may work well for your business. If space at the checkout counter is limited, however, you may want to consider a more ergonomic solution with a smaller footprint, such as an all-in-one configuration that incorporates basic peripherals (e.g., printers, cash drawers, credit card readers, PIN pads, and customer displays) or a tablet POS system. You will also find options that are aesthetically pleasing and don’t detract from a store’s dècor or restaurant’s ambiance.
  • 10 Ways mPOS Can Benefit Your Business

    10 Ways mPOS Can Benefit Your Business

    As a business owner, the last thing you should need to stress over is your point-of-sale system. POS  systems are designed to make your daily workflow smoother and easier for business owners and employees alike. If you’re considering a mobile POS solution, be sure to look at ergonomic mobile solutions.

    These solutions recognize that some businesses need peripherals beyond the basic tablet POS, such as a combination cash drawer/receipt printer. Here’s what ergonomic mobile solutions offer:

    1. Convenience. With an ergonomic tablet POS plus cash drawer/receipt printer, you can accept all payments anywhere, anytime. This is a big improvement over common mPOS, which traditionally only handles electronic payments.

    2. Space saver. Ergonomic solutions reduce your POS footprint significantly. With their small size and sleek profile, these platforms are attractive and unobtrusive in your retail or restaurant environment, freeing up space in which you can add tables or expand merchandise displays.

    3. Assist mPOS solutions. Because these ergonomic mobile solutions rely on Bluetooth technology for connectivity, they’re fully mobile when needed and rid you of tangled wires and a jumble of dongles.

    4. Full functionality. Ergonomic mobile solutions offer robust features and functionality for a wide range of applications.

    5. Receipt printer. Small and compact, a built-in printer lets you quickly and quietly print a receipt as soon as the transaction closes. Additionally, sometimes single accessories are needed without a full system. In this case, you should check to see if your system can support additional printers for your bar, kitchen, and other areas.

    6. Barcode scanner. If your tablet or mobile device lacks a barcode scanner, your ergonomic mobile solution easily accommodates an optional plug-and-play scanner for reading merchandise.

    7. Cash Drawer. A secure cash drawer stores currency, checks, receipts and other important items. The size of the cash drawer you choose will depend on the number of cash transactions you process a day.

    8. Software application. To get the greatest value of your ergonomic mobile solution, pick a software application that supports the latest payment options such as NFC and EMV. This will help you to avoid another technology upgrade in the near future.

    9. Tablet/device. When evaluating tablet and mobile device options on the market, be sure to select hardware that’s designed to process NFC and EMV payments, preferable without requiring add-ons or peripherals to do so. Choose a device that’s compatible with your preferred software application. Most software applications have a preferred operating system, however if you need a software application to be cross compatible, make sure to do your research and find a web-based solution.

    10. Digital receipt. More and more retailers want to deliver an in-store experience that provides digital support. There are innovative, downloadable apps on the market today that are supported by many POS systems. These apps allow your customers to receive a digital copy of their receipt on their smatphones. Some of these apps even allow functionality for customer satisfaction surveys, so retailers can always get a gauge on how they are perceived by their customers.

    For more information on mPOS solutions, download our eBook: mPOS: How it’s Revolutionizing Payments

  • Dry Cleaning POS Software Checklist: 10 Things Not to Compromise On

    Dry Cleaning POS Software Checklist: 10 Things Not to Compromise On

    Your dry cleaning business must operate efficiently and profitably to succeed in this highly competitive market. So it stands to reason that when you are considering new point of sale (POS) software for your business, that you would settle for nothing less than the solution that allows you to operate most efficiently and maximize profits.

    There are many POS software options available, but you need to narrow the field of choices to those that have the features best suited for operating a dry cleaning business.

    This checklist of POS software for dry cleaners can help. It lists 10 features essential to your operations, and finding software with these features can bring you one step closer to the right solutions for your business.

    1. Intuitive Interfaces and Functionality. POS software with an easy to use interface will also benefit your business by making the task of training new employees easier and quicker.
    2. Labor Management. The POS system can help managers monitor attendance and control overtime.
    3. Peripheral Support. Make sure the POS solution you invest in today can accommodate your business’ changing needs, and can scale or be upgraded to accommodate new technology.
    4. Customer Engagement. The customer relationship management (CRM) module of your POS software solution provides you with an updated database of customer contacts, delivery information, and even how much starch individual customers like in their shirts.
    5. Delivery. Your POS software should also support mobile POS and a mobile printer to equip your drivers with tools for delivery confirmation, to print invoices and receipts, and to accept payments.
    6. Labeling and Tags. You’ll want to ensure that your receipt printer can handle wash tag printing that will be durable after the customer takes it home.
    7. Payment Processing. Your POS system should provide your customers with the convenience of accepting any of their preferred payment methods.
    8. Inventory Management. Whether you use a numbering or a barcode system, your POS software solution should include an inventory management tool that helps you track items from drop off to pickup or delivery.
    9. Assisted Assembly. If your dry cleaning business has automatic assembly systems or if you are considering it for the future, make sure your POS system can integrate with them so your business can take full advantage of this time-saving technology.
    10. Reporting. Your POS solution should provide reports in a format that allows you to keep a close watch on operations and on your bottom line.

    In a highly competitive dry cleaning market, decisions that can impact your efficiency and profitability are too important to take lightly. Practice due diligence to ensure your new POS software solution will provide the right features, and ultimately, the right outcomes for your business.

    Download our full eBook: Dry Cleaning POS Software Checklist: 10 Things Now to Compromise On.

  • The Benefits of EMV

    The Benefits of EMV

    Following the October 1, 2015 deadline created by U.S. credit card issuers MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express, the liability of EMV compliant payment processing systems has shifted in the U.S. Prior to this shift, one of two parties would be held responsible in the case of fraudulent credit card transactions – the payment processor or the issuing bank. Now, whichever party is the least EMV compliant in a fraudulent credit card transaction  – the merchant or the card issuing bank – will be liable for the consumer losses.

    While business owners and shoppers tend to see the shift as a negative, it turns out that there are many overlooked benefits to the EMV shift for both businesses and consumers.

    As mentioned, the Oct. 1, 2015 deadline is strongly encouraging businesses to switch to EMV compliant payment processing systems in order to avoid being held liable for fraudulent credit card transactions. While switching to a new EMV compliant POS system may be expensive, it can potentially save businesses from losing hundreds to thousands of dollars in credit card fraud. What’s more, this switch gives business owners the opportunity to not only become EMV compliant but to consider switching to a more modern and mobile POS system.

    Tablet-based POS is becoming more prevalent in businesses, especially small businesses. The reason being is that tablet-based POS is usually inexpensive and can scale or expand your business. Tablet POS is also a sleek and attractive option for small business owners, allowing them to keep a modern check-out and save precious counter space at the point of transaction. The benefit of upgrading your traditional cash register or POS to a mobile or tablet POS system, is that most mPOS systems are already EMV compliant, making the shift to EMV as smooth and inexpensive as possible.

    Now, let’s talk about some of the benefits of EMV for shoppers.

    Since the shift to EMV compliant payment processing, there has been an obvious push-back from shoppers all over the U.S. This is mostly due to the fact that dipping the EMV chip of your credit card takes significantly longer than the simple swipe of a magnetic stripe reader. While this can be a nuisance, the EMV chip is a major benefit for consumer shoppers as well.

    The reason you have to wait an extra 5 to 10 seconds for the chip reader to process your payment is because each transaction with your EMV card is a unique one. When dipping your card into the chip reader, the terminal performs many stages of complex processing to create a unique transaction each time your EMV card is used for payments. This requires dozens of pieces of data to be read in order to create this unique transaction, resulting in a slightly longer wait time. But the benefit is, that if the card information gets copied and attempted to be used for another transaction, the information would not be usable, and the card would just be denied.

    To learn more about the EMV shift and mobile payment solutions, check out Star Micronics eBook – mPOS: How its Revolutionizing Payments.