The point of sale, also known by the English concept point of sale, to refer precisely to the place where a sale transaction takes place. The transactions carried out at this point, which range from basic credit card processing to advanced data management operations and other important information for the development of the business, are carried out through the point of sale system that can be carried out on a platform management and control of each action carried out at the point.
Due to its complexity, but also due to its scope, it has become an aspect of great importance for any small and medium-sized company. Making the right selection of “POS” point of sale software allows the company to respond efficiently to different tasks.
Many SME entrepreneurs focus on devoting time, effort and resources to finding new ways to generate more sales, overlooking those opportunities related to the transaction process itself. The best point-of-sale systems allow not only to carry out transactions efficiently (which affects long-term customer acquisition), but also to manage a series of activities related to inventory management, and to make products more visible.
So, what do we need to know when defining a point of sale system? Here are some important points.
Hardware needs. When selecting a point of sale system, we often focus on the most up-to-date, the cheapest, or the one with the most features. But we do not stop to analyze what type of hardware system it requires for its correct operation. It is important to consider what the demands are for RAM memory, disk space, the number of computers in which it can be installed and even if it requires additional accessories for the implementation of certain types of functions.
This will allow us to better decide if it suits our needs, or if we should consider upgrading the computers we have at the point of sale “POS”.
- Inventory management: As we mentioned before, proper inventory management allows us to keep the shelves full, have a better understanding of the relevant information about the availability of a product, in order to better respond to the demands of consumers and potential customers.
- Customer Management: Customer management is important because at a point of sale you not only work with products, but also with customers. Keeping an eye on customer activity allows you to monitor their consumption, concerns and loyalty process. Some retail point of sale systems allow the administration of loyalty programs, points for purchases, contact management, among others. Depending on the category of products and the data provided, they can provide predictions or offer relevant information about specific customer behaviors.
Along with the purchases, the possibility of making returns and exchanges is opened. This is a part that must be dealt with at the point of sale, and it is an important feature to also evaluate in the system to be selected. The fact of being able to quickly identify the purchase made, record customer information, make credit notes, record the characteristics or reason for the returned product, are important aspects that can serve as additional guidance in future sales and in inventory control.
Visualizing in a detailed but schematic way the tasks and processes that we need to develop at the point of sale, will allow us to carry out an efficient search and acquisition of this type of system. It is important to think about both the present and the future. Starting from how our business is today, how we want it to be and what processes must be made more efficient in order to respond to a greater number of needs and demands.
You also want to think about what kind of business you are today and what you want to become tomorrow. Retailers should focus on point of sale systems designed for that type of business, not a point of sale “POS” designed for a vendor.
