| Point of sale (POS) systems are used by hundreds of | | | | Restaurant and Hotel POS need to be a little more |
| businesses in order to streamline the purchasing | | | | complex due to the nature of their product. For |
| process as well as track the various financial and | | | | example: A fast food restaurant has numerous |
| inventory data that relates to the sales made. Although | | | | combinations of each item; the POS system needs to |
| the general concept behind each system is virtually the | | | | be able to customize the order while still keeping track |
| same, different industries can purchase POS systems | | | | of the price variation. A sit down restaurant also relies |
| that are tailor made for their needs. Think of it is a | | | | on a certain level of customization of the product, while |
| delivery service: A bike delivery would work fine for a | | | | also bringing in a unique situation: Rather than serve |
| local newspaper, but UPS would have to shut down if | | | | and bill customers in one setting, diners sit at a table |
| it didn't have delivery trucks. The same concept applies | | | | and their orders are tracked using the system |
| to POS sale systems used in retail stores, restaurants, | | | | throughout the dining experience. The restaurant's POS |
| and hotels. Each specific industry can benefit from a | | | | needs to be able to handle cross-referencing different |
| system that is designed for their specific needs. | | | | tables in order to give each customer the right bill. A |
| Retail POS systems are specialized at quick and easy | | | | hotel will take this one step further, allowing customers |
| one time sales. The items stored in their database are | | | | to be billed to their room for numerous purchases |
| well defined, and although there can be many colors or | | | | made within the hotel throughout their stay. |
| sizes offered for one item, there isn't very much | | | | Clearly, when starting a business it important to take |
| variation in the product. If one person buys a black | | | | the industry specific POS into account. Don't just try |
| jacket, although the jacket comes in blue, all the people | | | | and find the best deal, but rather what will work best |
| who buy the black on are still getting the same item. | | | | to make your company run efficiently. Understanding |
| This is why retail POS systems are the simplest in | | | | why each system is unique will help when trying to |
| nature. In regards to the sale process, all they need is | | | | make the decision for what POS system to purchase. |
| to pull up an item's information from inventory and | | | | Although the examples given were for specific |
| remove it upon purchase. Of course, this is just in | | | | industries, the systems can be applied to different |
| reference the the sales aspect of the system; there | | | | industries that have similar purchasing processes: The |
| are still complex inventory control settings and sales | | | | retail POS can be used in stores ranging from clothing |
| efficiency metrics that that can be used, but in terms | | | | to electronics and the restaurant system can be used |
| of making a sale, the retail system is the most | | | | in various hospitality related industries. |
| simplistic. | | | | |