POS Software

POS Software

POS, or point of sale, software is used by retail businesses to conduct cash, credit card, and debit card transactions and monitor inventory. POS software integrates cash registers, bar code scanners, credit card readers and PIN pads, check readers, receipt printers, and change/coin dispensers.

Types of POS Software

Point of sale software has different features depending on the specific needs of each type of business. Virtually all systems have cash drawers and receipt printers, but there are a number of other components available for POS systems.

Fast Food Restaurants – POS software integrates touch screen menus for order takers with pictures of each food item, a kitchen video display that transmits the order to food preparers, a kitchen receipt printer that provides a paper record of the order for kitchen staff, and a programmable keypad or ‘bump bar' for the kitchen to monitor order prep. For restaurants with drive-thru windows, the system monitors and controls drive-thru orders and order delivery.

Retail Stores – The POS systems for retail stores include barcode label printers and readers, gift card readers, gift registries, layaway tracking, inventory control, frequent buyer programs, sales commission tracking, and customizable receipt and coupon printers.

Restaurants – Point of sale systems for restaurants incorporate the ability to set multiple prices for menu items depending on day and time, wine cellar inventory controls, security that allows servers to access only their own guest checks, and driver tracking for restaurants that deliver.

Hotels – In addition to cash drawers, credit card readers, and receipt printers, hotel systems require an interface with telephone billing systems to log and charge phone calls to guests.

Grocery Stores – Point of sale for food stores includes the ability to scan coupons, accept food stamps, read input from an electronic scale and calculate correct price based on weight, track frequent buyers, add on bottle and can deposits, scan drivers licenses to verify age for liquor and tobacco purchases, and print store coupons.

Other POS Software Features

The examples above are just a few of the different capabilities of a POS software system. Some other features are:

Time Clock – The POS software requires cashiers to log on to the system and tracks their time spent at work.

Tracking Bad Checks – The system stores identifying information from customers who have passed bad checks and alerts the cashier if another check is received from one of these customers.

Rental Items – Point of sale software can be used to track rental items like videos and DVDs.

Multiple Stores – POS systems can share inventory and sales information between different stores in a retail chain.

Reports – The software can generate many types of reports for tracking customers, products, inventory, vendors, employees, and sales.

Each POS system has different features. Not all systems will work well for every business. Before you purchase POS software, it's important to consider your specific business needs and evaluate how the software will address those needs.

By Carla Wakeman           


Related Links:

  • POS Systems
    Point of sale systems for various types of small businesses.


 

 

 

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