subject: Understanding The Difference Between POS Systems [print this page] Understanding The Difference Between POS Systems
The basic concept of POS systems of point of sale technology is not as complicated as it sounds. In fact, a very basic POS system can be seen on any summer weekend when neighborhood children open a corner lemonade stand with nothing more than a cashbox and a notebook to record sales! POS, in its simplest form, is a record of sales or products and services that monitors the flow of money into a business. Taken to higher levels, POS systems are enhanced with computerized functions that can perform tasks from inventory maintenance and automated product ordering to the generation of reports on the sales success of individual employees.
For all POS systems, basic function is the same, but it is up to the business owner's needs to determine how advanced a POS system is needed to meet goals and objectives on an individual basis.
Moving up from the lemonade stand cashbox POS system is the use of software-based POS systems, which are popular with individual businesses, like a family-owned gift shop for instance. Software-based POS systems perform basic recording of all sales transactions, but allow business owners to print reports that can not only show profits, but also indicate buying trends and product popularity when paired with a barcode system. Affordable and highly upgradable, a software-based POS system is the maintenance and reporting tool every business should have.
Software-based POS systems become upgraded when Internet connectivity makes online networking of POS interfaces possible. Necessities for businesses with more than one location, web-based POS systems streamline growing businesses' sales functions and ensure continuity of pricing from location to location, among other things. Web-based POS systems allow business owners to access comprehensive sales records and activity and compare reports from varying locations and departments. Web-based POS systems also make communication between the cash registers and the warehouse instantaneous, thus ensuring that prompt ordering practices are maintained.
Software-based POS systems get a boost when Internet connectivity goes wireless. Wireless POS systems are utilized by businesses that operate remotely, like street vendors and mobile salespeople who visit stores and need to remotely access inventory information and place instant orders for clients. Wireless POS is the very latest in POS technology and takes point of sale function out into the world for immediate, practical application in a variety of sales situations.
Determining the point of sale needs for a business is about looking at the future needs and growth expectations of the business. With a little pre-planning, the right POS system can help meet the current financial function needs of a business while offering the networking and reporting capabilities needed in the future.
