Action Steps to Start Running Point of Sale Software
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate point of sale software providers

Make a list of all the features you require from POS software. Write down all the steps involved when you make a sale or accept a returned item. Talk with sales staff and front line managers about what features in pos programs would be helpful and the types of reports they require from business POS software.

I recommend: Investigate the different types of pos software programs available. Decide if your staff have the capacity to manage the pos software system of if you require support from the supplier. POS Guys and Microsoft are well known POS suppliers. Consider POS software from POSNation.com designed specifically for restaurants, retail, or salons.

Work with point of sale software system consultants

Study the connectivity options available with your point of sale software product. Review the information provided with your accounting system software to determine the options available. Review your requirements with your POS distributor.

I recommend: Explore consultant services and support available with point of sale retail management software. D-Ploy and Trilink Collaborate both provide point of sale consultants to assist with set up and implementation. Document your requirements and obtain a written proposal of services before signing a service contract.

Expand your knowledge of POS programs

Review written publications on the point of sale software system to enhance your understanding of POS software basics. Absorb the key points that are relevant to your firm and write a list to share with your staff. Encourage sharing of information and working with colleagues to improve the level of skill available in your firm.

I recommend: The Point of Sale Software Guide is a valuable resource on POS systems. Purchase the point of sale book from the Sleeter Store to learn more about best practices. Avoid costly mistakes by researching point of sale software solution implementation materials. Learn from others and implement best practices into your business.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Focus on POS systems as a tool to improve business management, provide improved reports and use this data to improve overall profitability.

Guide to Point-of-Sale (POS) Software and Systems

How point of sale software and a point of sale system can boost your business

By Daniel Kehrer

1. Point of sale software and equipment can improve customer service by speeding checkout and instantly answering questions about product availability.
2. Initial point of sale systems setup can be a pain for existing businesses using older methods so you may want to pay a vendor for help installing your new store management software system. For new businesses, however, it's simple to start out with point of sale software and a dedicated point of sale system, including a POS cash register.
3. Point of sale systems include many components. Whether you need a retail POS cash register, restaurant point of sale, computer point of sale or wireless point of sale, you can start with the basics and add features as your business grows. There are also web-based point of sale systems that provide what you need online.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Web-based point of sale solutions can do it all

Internet-based point of sale solutions and store management software applications offer a flexible, affordable alternative to the outright purchase of POS hardware and point of sale software. Great way to add electronic point of sale at multiple locations for minimal cost.

I recommend: Merchant OS and EffortlessE are two web-based POS services that can help retailers track and organize sales and inventory. The systems are simple and require no special training or software expertise.

Let your QuickBooks be your POS cash register

If you already use QuickBooks to manage your finances, check out QuickBooks: Point of Sale 5.0. QuickBooks is bundling the POS software with hardware to create an all-in-one solution at substantial savings.

I recommend: Ring up sales on your PC rather than a POS cash register with QuickBooks: Point of Sale.

Tap Microsoft's new small business point of sale software solution

Microsoft Point of Sale is a popular POS software solution for small business. You can bundle it with HP hardware, including touch screen display, receipt printer, POS cash register, card reader and keyboard.

I recommend: Microsoft Dynamics Point of Sale aims to make it easy for small, independent retailers to pull the plug on outdated electronic POS cash registers.

Consider Dell point of sale systems bundles

Dell offers several point-of-sale solutions for small business. The complete system combines all the POS hardware and point of sale retail software you need.

I recommend: Select a point of sale systems package or customize your own solution from Dell POS.

Select a long-time small business point of sale systems leader

Cam Commerce Solutions is one of the largest suppliers of point of sale systems and POS software to small and mid-sized businesses.

I recommend: Visit Cam Commercial Solutions.

Find hubs for your point of sale systems

POS Guys is an online point of sale systems 'superstore' that offers a full line of equipment, store management POS software and well-done buyer's guides, including credit card terminals.

I recommend: Go to POSGuys.com to see all their offerings on point of sale retail software and hardware.

Bone up on point of sales systems basics

BuyerZone is an excellent place to comparison shop and request quotes on point of sale systems and to bone up on basics.

I recommend: Their detailed and objective Buyer's Guides on POS systems are super helpful.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A customer display for your POS cash register, also called a 'pole display,' shows items, prices and other information to the customer, and can also be used to display ad messages.
• •  A hand-held terminal can wirelessly transmit sales back to the base station; especially handy for restaurants.
• •  Some point of sales systems are equipped with store POS software that will even produce purchase orders for items running low.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Read a point of sale software system manual

Read the manual that is provided with your POS software system. These books provide step by step instructions for all the processes that need to be completed when working with a POS program. A deeper understanding of the behind the scene's structure and format provides a good context to the decision points and troubleshooting guides included in the documentation.

I recommend: Download the point of sale software solution manual and invest the time and effort necessary to absorb the details provided in the manual. The manual provided by AccuPOS and Xpertmart are excellent examples of the amount of details that is necessary to understanding your POS software.

Register for a training course on the point of sale software system

Sign up for a training course on the point of sale software system. POS programs all provide the same basic functions. Each software company adds a few new features to their POS software system, but once you have learned one, any other systems will be easy to understand.

I recommend: Invest the time and effort to really understand how the POS system works and pay close attention in the course. The advanced features, tips and tricks are usually the most valuable part of any course. Sign up today for a course with Pluss Corporation or Advanced Retail Management.

Access resources to assist with point of sale software system

Learn more about using a POS system by contacting a POS distributor or POS software solutions support firm. The staff are valuable resources, with lots of information on using POS software and how to enhance business POS software to reduce costs and increase efficiency.

I recommend: Contact the staff at POS Guys and POS Micro to gain a better understanding of how to use all the features included with your POS software. The value of these types of software is in the reporting functionality. Pay close attention to discussions or seminars on these functions, as they provide a wealth of information for review and analysis.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Appoint one of your staff the POS software expert. Allow them to invest time to learn all the tips about the software. They can then hold a training session to teach these tips to the other staff.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Web based point of sale solutions

Unlike traditional POS software, which is located on a computer somewhere near the point of sale scanners, web-based POS software is located in a remote location, usually hosted by the software company. One of the advantages to a web-based system is that users don't have to worry about purchasing or maintaining computers and software.

I recommend: MerchantOS is one of the many providers of web-based POS systems. Their site describes how web-based POS works and explains some of the benefits of using web-based systems.

Barcodes

Barcodes are printed on labels that are adhered to products, or directly on products. There are many types of barcodes, and each uses different specifications. Each barcode is a unique identifier that can be scanned by point of sale scanners. The information is transmitted to POS software, which updates inventory and provides details about the sale.

I recommend: Adams Communications provides information on bar code specifications as well as other information about bar codes.

POS scanner

A POS scanner transmits information from a barcode to the POS software system. There are many types of scanners, including wands, handheld scanners, wireless units, scales and PDAs. The type of scanner to purchase depends on budget, volume of scanning and customization needed. The type of scanner determines how quickly a barcode can be scanned and whether damaged barcodes can be read.

I recommend: POSGuys provides a buyer's guide that includes descriptions of the many types of barcode scanners.

Credit card processing

It's important to find a POS system that will interface with your current credit card processing system so you can accept many types of payments. Credit card processing services are sometimes included with POS systems. Aside from handling speedy credit card transactions, they can provide additional security and reduce fraud.

I recommend: TopTenReviews provides some reasons for using a credit card processing service, reviews and comparisons of companies and other information to learn more about credit card processing.

Touch screen

A touch screen monitor allows customers to input information by touching the screen and interfaces with POS software. Some things to look for in POS touch screens include warranty, durability, protection against moisture and contamination and touch point density.

I recommend: POSNation provides information about the touch screen monitors that they carry, including specifications and features.

Pole display

A customer pole display is part of a POS system and includes what the customer sees at checkout. This could include information about the items being purchased, as well as sale and marketing information.

I recommend: POS World provides details about customer pole displays and includes links to some popular manufacturers of pole displays.