| Today's POS systems offer management through a | | | | trained quickly and at low cost. Instant remote control |
| vast array of user friendly tools and reporting | | | | of a POS terminal allows support staff to run ad hoc |
| structures. For staff and customers, the latest user | | | | off site training, better service levels, less support cost |
| interfaces are highly graphical and intuitive, mixing | | | | and down time. |
| images with text, user prompts and logical screen | | | | Major shifts in hardware design and technology have |
| flows.Inbuilt stock control systems automatically track | | | | dramatically improved reliability and affordability. New |
| sales, deduct from stock and create purchase orders. | | | | terminals run 10 X the speed of earlier terminals and |
| Stock variances are reported in real time, by quantity | | | | are half the price. A shift back to quality and reliability |
| or dollar value and gross profit calculated. Purchase | | | | ensures buyer get longevity and minimal downtime. A |
| history is maintained in full including prices paid for stock | | | | range of interesting and innovative hardware options |
| over past periods. Advanced CRM and POS loyalty | | | | are now available: Fanless, cableless, waterproof. 7 |
| tools allow for complex or simple reward or incentive | | | | years parts availability and the use of industrial not |
| schemes to be devised. | | | | desktop PC based components. |
| Various POS technologies that have made this level of | | | | There is also more focus on the aesthetics at the |
| functionality possible. | | | | POS terminal as this is the one place customers get to |
| Microsoft base class library, common language runtime | | | | see. Faster terminals allow dual functionality as POS |
| (CLR) and XML all make the programmers life easier | | | | and server. Some Taiwan manufacturers are investing |
| with common coding practices and universal | | | | in the local Australian market to match local needs. |
| languages. SQL server technology offers near zero | | | | Failing to consider the end user is probably the largest |
| server downtime and multiple database connectivity. | | | | problem in system design. Direct experience of user |
| Better system redundancy through duplication of | | | | dislikes and likes and what's worked, not worked in the |
| critical components such as back ups and fail safes | | | | past guide system relevance. Considering end user |
| have greatly increased system reliability. | | | | inputs, avoiding clutter, color coding keeping choices |
| Third party development tools have made user | | | | clear and simple, allowing for customer choice are all |
| interfaces easy to design in a graphical intuitive way. | | | | key considerations. |
| Form and query tool have made reporting able to be | | | | This real time visibility and management of business |
| user driven with no need for SQL or database | | | | operations is beyond the scope of traditional cash |
| knowledge. | | | | registers but critical for success in today's competitive |
| Staffs no longer need to be technical to understand | | | | market. |
| POS systems. Built in computer training had made | | | | The initial costs of installing a POS system are often |
| systems easy to learn and intuitive with much less time | | | | quickly recouped in extra sales. Many vendors offer |
| and effort required than before. | | | | lease terms, reducing upfront costs dramatically. |
| PC based training also means new staff can be | | | | |