Choosing the Right

POS SYSTEM Created by Field Nation

Introduction Having the right POS system and accompanying software is crucial for a business’s success and positively influences the bottom line. POS pitfalls such as inefficiencies, technology glitches, and complicated interfaces all lead to increased overhead, frazzled employees, and unhappy customers — costing time, and therefore money, on unnecessary complications.

Learn more about the POS system options that are available to meet unique business needs. In this e-book, we provide a comprehensive guide to the POS solutions and top-rated systems you’ll want to consider before helping your client make their decision.

Chapter 1 POS Processors Chances are, the ability to accept credit cards will be a primary factor for a business. You might notice when pitching different POS systems, that some are already linked to a credit card processor. While this may be a simpler option, it might not be the best one for a business. Selecting a POS system that grants the ability to choose the specific processor provides the freedom and flexibility to shop around for the lowest card processing fees and best features. The goal is to have transactions handled quickly and accurately with no lag-time or mistakes.

Here are the top rated credit card processors for 2016, according to Business News Daily:

Flagship Merchant Services

PayPal

• Best for small businesses • Merchant account included • In-person, online, and mobile POS capabilities

• Best low-volume credit card processing service • Designed for small businesses and startups

Stripe

Square

• Best online credit card processing service • No merchant account required • Online POS only

• Best mobile credit card processing service • No merchant account required • Solutions for all types of businesses

• In-person, online, and mobile POS capabilities

Chapter 2 POS Features and Capabilities Regardless of which system ends up being selected, it should have an intuitive design that makes it as easy as possible for employees to use. A typical POS system will have a computer or monitor, some accompanying software, a receipt printer, a cash register, and possibly a barcode scanner. However, this simple solution may not work for every type of business. There are added capabilities, features, and software integration options for POS systems that can save time and money by automating other areas of a business. For example, product shrinkage and bookkeeping errors can often be avoided with the right tool integrations with the POS system.

Simply identify the most important POS needs and shop for a system with those specific features.

We have highlighted a few advanced POS capabilities here: • Inventory management • Staff management • Marketing tools • Accounting • Payroll • Customer data gathering • Task automation Additionally, the POS system will need to be able to take payments in any and every form, so it will need to have a system that is advanced enough to handle technologies like smartcards, digital wallets, mobile apps, and Bluetooth for eCommerce purposes. Key: Look for a system that works with the business’s current needs, but also has the ability to adapt to future needs (i.e. an open platform which allows third-party developers to implement additional apps into the system as needed).

Chapter 3 Top Rated POS Systems of 2016 Here are the top rated POS Systems for 2016 according to Business News Daily:

Vend • Best all-in-one POS system for small businesses • Great for brick-and-mortar stores (in-person purchases) • Different solutions for different types of businesses (i.e. clothing, sports retail, carwash, etc.)

Shopkeep • Best POS system for retail • Cloud-based iPad POS system • Mobile payment capabilities • Great for a wide variety of business types

Bindo • Best mobile POS system for iPads • Cloud-based • Mobile payment capabilities • E-commerce integration and customization capabilities

TouchBistro • Best POS system for restaurants • Great for all types of food establishments (i.e. bars, restaurants, cafes, fast food, food trucks, etc.) • Mobile payment capabilities

Chapter 4 Additional POS Considerations by Industry

• Fast paced, high volume purchases • Don’t require barcode scans • Account for different pricing at different times of the day • Order placing features (organized by seating area) • Accept every payment method • Print or email receipt options • Mobile platforms to move freely around the establishment

• Anticipate fewer, but higher price point purchases • Product selection features (no barcode scanner needed) • Extensive product detail view to share with the customer • Inventory management • Accept every payment method • Mobile platforms to move freely around the establishment and have product information at hand

Convenience Store, Grocery Store, Supermarket • Straightforward, easy-to-use system • Integrates with coupons and sales • Inventory management • Barcode scanner needed • Accept every payment method • Print or email receipt options

Find an industry in the list below and use this as a guide to identify the unique needs of a business – apply those to the capabilities of the POS and processing systems list above to make a recommendation!

Bar, Club, Café, or Restaurant

Automotive, Furniture, Technology

Apparel, Gift Shop, General Retail • Straightforward, easy-to-use system • Anticipate fast paced, smaller purchases • Barcode scanner needed • Inventory management • Integrates with coupons and sales • Accept every payment method • Print or email receipt options • Mobile platforms to move freely around the establishment

Hospitality, Hotel, Salon • Reservation features • Room availability features • Barcode scanner needed • Accept every payment method • Account billing capabilities • Confirmation sheet printing capabilities • Print or email receipt options

Conclusion Finding the right POS system for a business can be tough – we suggest that you select a system based on the information we have provided and then recommend your client give it a trial run before purchasing. Field Nation is a global marketplace that supports technical industry engagement by connecting independent contractors, field service technicians, and skilled freelancers with quality on-site, on-demand projects. For help with POS system selection, setup, or repair, visit us at www.fieldnation.com, to connect with an expert who can assist you.

Resources http://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/retail/pos-systems/5-considerations-buying-pos-system/ https://possuperstore.com/shop-by-industry.html http://www.nccusa.com/select-pos-system-small-business/ https://www.firstdata.com/en_us/insights/payments-101-white-paper-/_jcr_content/content-block/insight_individual/insights-downloads-par/download/file.res/fd-Payments-101-Credit-and-Debit-Card-Payments-white-paper.pdf

http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/2955-best-pos-systems.html http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/8061-best-credit-card-processing.html

Find trusted, on-demand talent for your retail or EMV projects through