Running a successful business means having the right tools and systems in place, including a reliable point-of-sale (POS) terminal. When looking for a POS terminal supplier, it's important to find one that stands out from the rest. But what exactly sets a reliable POS terminal supplier apart from the competition? In this article, we'll explore the key factors that differentiate a top-notch supplier from the rest.
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Product Quality and Reliability
One of the most critical factors to consider when choosing a POS terminal supplier is the quality and reliability of their products. A reputable supplier should offer POS terminals that are durable, user-friendly, and equipped with the latest technology to streamline transactions. Look for suppliers that carry well-known and trusted brands in the industry, ensuring that you're investing in a reliable product that will meet your business needs for years to come.
When evaluating product quality, consider factors such as the terminal's processing speed, touchscreen functionality, security features, and overall design. A reliable POS terminal supplier will have a solid track record of providing top-quality products that deliver consistent performance, helping you avoid downtime and costly repairs in the long run.
Customer Support and Service
Another key aspect that sets a reliable POS terminal supplier apart is their commitment to customer support and service. Choosing a supplier that offers excellent customer support can make a world of difference when you encounter technical issues or need assistance with your POS system. Look for suppliers that provide 24/7 technical support, on-site assistance, and training resources to help you get the most out of your POS terminal.
In addition to technical support, a reliable supplier should also offer personalized customer service to address your unique business needs. Whether you're a small retailer or a large restaurant chain, a supplier that takes the time to understand your specific requirements and provide tailored solutions will help you maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of your POS system.
Scalability and Flexibility
When choosing a POS terminal supplier, it's crucial to consider the scalability and flexibility of their products and services. A reliable supplier should offer POS solutions that can grow with your business and adapt to changes in your industry. Whether you're opening new locations, expanding your product offerings, or integrating with other business systems, your POS terminal should be able to accommodate these changes without a hitch.
Look for suppliers that offer flexible pricing options, customizable features, and seamless integration capabilities to ensure that your POS system can meet your evolving business needs. A reliable supplier will work with you to develop a scalable solution that can grow alongside your business, providing you with the peace of mind that your POS system will continue to support your operations as you expand and innovate.
Security and Compliance
In today's digital age, data security is a top priority for businesses of all sizes. When choosing a POS terminal supplier, it's essential to prioritize security and compliance to protect your customers' sensitive information and safeguard your business from potential risks. A reliable supplier should offer POS terminals that are equipped with advanced security features, such as encryption technology, PCI compliance, and EMV chip card acceptance, to ensure that every transaction is processed securely.
In addition to security features, a trustworthy supplier should also provide regular software updates and maintenance to address any vulnerabilities and ensure that your POS system remains compliant with industry regulations. By partnering with a supplier that prioritizes security and compliance, you can rest assured that your business is protected from fraudulent activities and data breaches, allowing you to focus on serving your customers and growing your bottom line.
Value-added Services
Finally, a reliable POS terminal supplier should offer value-added services that go above and beyond simply providing hardware and software solutions. Look for suppliers that offer additional services, such as inventory management tools, reporting and analytics capabilities, loyalty program integration, and e-commerce support, to help you optimize your POS system and drive business growth.
By choosing a supplier that offers value-added services, you can take advantage of advanced features and functionalities that can enhance your customers' shopping experience, streamline your operations, and increase your sales and profitability. Whether you're looking to improve inventory accuracy, track customer preferences, or expand your online presence, a reliable supplier should offer a range of services to help you achieve your business goals and stay ahead of the competition.
In conclusion, when it comes to choosing a POS terminal supplier for your business, it's essential to look for a company that excels in product quality, customer support, scalability, security, and value-added services. By partnering with a reliable supplier that offers top-notch products, personalized service, cutting-edge technology, and a commitment to your success, you can position your business for growth and long-term success in today's competitive marketplace. Make sure to carefully evaluate potential suppliers based on these key factors to find the right partner that will help you achieve your business goals and take your operations to the next level.
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Aside from standard ordering and payment capabilities, core point-of-sale (POS) features include inventory control, customer relationship management (CRM), reporting and analytics, and employee management. The most important features to you will depend on your business’s unique needs.
In , top POS systems are more versatile than ever. As the cost of supplies increases and markets remain as competitive as ever, they continue to provide businesses with valuable ways to boost their efficiency and expand their bottom line. To help you get the most from your system, this guide breaks down seven POS features that you should be aware of.
We also break down some retail and restaurant-specific capabilities, advanced features, and notable POS integrations, to give your business the best possible chance of getting ahead.
Scroll down to learn about the top POS features, or use our quick comparison tool to get free custom quotes comparing the leading providers.
In this review:
According to our research, these POS features deliver the most value to businesses, irrespective of size or sector, because of their ability to streamline tasks and unlock key opportunities for growth. Scroll down to learn about the tools and their benefits in greater depth.
Get bespoke quotes for your business using our comparison tool or take a look at Square, our favorite all-round POS system
Whether you’re investing in a POS system for the first time or you’re upgrading to a shinier model, here are seven POS features that your business needs to be aware of in .
Whether you run a pharmacy or a market stall, if your business handles any type of stock, inventory management will be one of the most important capabilities of your POS. Not only do these features let businesses track their stock in real-time, but they also help them to keep inventories safe, reduce waste, create future forecasts, and ensure they have the right amount of stock to meet demands.
The capacities of these features will vary by industry too, but we expand on this a little further down the page.
We found it easy to make inventory updates with EPOS Now thanks to its easy-to-navigate, feature-rich back office. Image: Tech.co testing
If you intend to retain existing customers or expand your base, CRM features are a must. CRM-enabled POS systems can carry out a number of useful functions including storing customer data, producing actionable insights from consumer behavior, and incentivizing buyers with loyalty programs, perks, and exclusive offers.
Most POS systems include CRM features of some kind, but if you’re serious about growing your business we’d recommend using systems like Clover, as the provider’s loyalty program ‘Clover Rewards’ goes above and beyond, offering stand-out features like a mobile app for customers to customizable rewards (see below).
Staff management features can ease the responsibilities of managers by carrying out a variety of functions like tracking staff time, creating shift schedules, monitoring employee activity, and even identifying high performers.
Not all POSs come stacked with employee software, so if you’re looking for a system that can help ease the burden of managing your team, we’d recommend opting for systems like Clover or Lightspeed.
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Clover has an extensive range of employee permissions, so you can grant members of your staff team access to different parts of the software depending on their role. Image: Tech.co testing
While we’re on the cusp of becoming a cashless society, we aren’t there yet. So, to keep your business as inclusive as possible, choosing a POS system with multiple payment options should be a top priority.
Most systems let you take multiple forms of tender, including cash, mobile payment, and credit and debit cards. However, some providers, like Shopify, go above and beyond by letting customers use unique payment options such as touch-free links, QR codes, and gift cards.
We found it easy to generate gift card codes when testing Shopify. Image: Tech.co testing
Square, on the other hand, offers split-payment features and integrations with buy now, pay later tools like ClearPay, helping businesses attract a wider selection of customers and make even more money.
Reporting and analytics give business owners insights on key metrics like which items are selling, which staff members are performing the best, and which products have the highest margins. By transforming POS data into visual analytics, these tools are an asset to any type of business but are especially useful for those looking to improve their efficiency and expand their bottom line.
Our research found that Clover and Square have some of the most impressive reporting options on the market. Clover’s granular insights in particular make it a great fit for businesses that like to learn from their sales data and use it to guide their operations.
Getting your brand to reach its desired customer base can be a headache for business owners. POS marketing tools can be used to overcome this obstacle by offering users valuable ways to drive up sales — from letting them launch marketing campaigns to integrating their software with buzzing social platforms.
Aside from offering marketing tools in-house, lots of systems boast integrations with major marketing software like MailChimp and HubSpot, but we’ll cover this more when we talk about common POS integrations.
If your business sells across multiple channels at once, omnichannel selling features let you manage these sales from one centralized platform. This flexible solution also helps business owners manage a range of activities, including customer feedback to stock management, creating a unified shopping experience for all customers whether they’re shopping online or in-store.
Offering advanced capabilities like local pickup, local delivery, and ‘buy in-store, ship to customer’ features, Shopify POS is the best POS for omnichannel sellers. Square offers similar tools at a more modest price.
The realistic life expectancy of a POS system is around five to seven years, but how do business owners know when it’s time for an upgrade?
The biggest reason to upgrade your POS is if your hardware and software are out of date, as outdated software and hardware can pose major risks to your business’s security and bottom line. Businesses should also consider upgrading their point-of-sale system if it no longer meets their evolving needs.
For example, if you’re looking to increase sales, manage employees, expand to other locations, or open up new revenue streams, and your current POS system doesn’t allow you to do so, it’s time to upgrade.
While some POS capabilities aren’t sector-specific, others have been designed to meet the needs of certain types of businesses. Here’s a quick summary of POS features that cater to retail and food service businesses.
After researching the ranking the leading POS providers, we found that Square is the best POS system for small businesses, since the system offers unbeatable value, a competitive feature stack, and a vast pool of third-party integrations. Due to the system’s versatility, we also found that Square was the best POS for retail businesses, too.
Not only that, but Square is our best-rated POS for restaurants. However, Toast is a close second, thanks in part to user-friendly software and a great free plan, while Clover has the best customer display screen customization out of all the system we’ve reviewed.
There are tons of capable POSs, though, so take a look at our table below to learn more about how the top systems compare:
0 out of 0 Starting price The typical lowest starting price. The lowest price available for your business will depend on your needs. Best for Tech.co's verdict to help you identify the most suitable choice for your small business Hardware iPad app Is there a version of the software made specifically for iPad use? Android app Is there a version of the software made specifically for Android tablet use? 24/7 support Key benefits DrawbacksBusinesses should expect some POS features to be included in the system’s main package. However, other tools with advanced uses tend to be available as add-ons. We list some standard and advanced features side-by-side below:
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If your chosen point-of-sale provider lacks features that your business needs, you can unlock other capabilities through POS integrations. These POS add-ons extend the use of your system even further by connecting your system with a range of tools from payroll and accounting to ecommerce.
Most POS integrations can be accessed through a provider’s dashboard or app store. While some integrations are free, certain services can cost businesses up to $300 per month. Therefore, it’s important to keep track of their price tags, so your costs don’t escalate too far.
We take our impartial research and analysis seriously, so you can have complete confidence that we're giving you the clearest, most useful recommendations. After identifying the most relevant, popular POS platforms on the market, we put them through their paces with hands-on testing to better understand their strengths and weaknesses.
In total, we put 16 POS systems to the test, with a vigorous research and testing methodology. We carried out 40 user testing sessions, which amounted to 720 hours of testing in total. In these sessions, participants were asked to carry out tasks on POS software and describe their user journey, to help us understand what it's like to use the systems first-hand. In addition to first-hand testing, we developed a detailed methodology that focuses on six categories of investigation, including criteria like software features and help and support centers.
These categories were broken down into a further 41 subcategories, so we were able to drill down further into certain topics, to make our insights as granular and useful as possible. Here’s an overview of our main testing categories for POS systems:
When it comes to calculating a product's final score, not all testing areas are weighted evenly, as we know some aspects matter more to our readers than others, For example, we’ll prioritize certain industry-specific features for specific reviews, like an offline mode when reviewing POS systems for food trucks, or kitchen display systems (KDS) when reviewing restaurant POS systems.
At Tech.co, we have a number of full-time in-house researchers who re-run this testing process regularly to ensure our results remain reflective of the present day.
Learn more about our research.
Most POS systems include benchmark features like inventory management, CRM, employee management, marketing options, analytics, and omnichannel selling. More often than not, these features meet the needs of businesses. However, if you run a larger venture or have unique requirements, you may require more advanced capabilities like multi-stock transfers, waste management, and low-stock alerts.
By seeking POSs with these features, or bolstering your existing system through third-party integrations, you can give your business the best shot at success. If you’re ready to land on a POS system, you can use our free comparison tool to whittle down the competition today.
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