| A point of sale (POS) system can have a dramatic | | | | * If you are running a bar, does the POS system need |
| impact on the way you run your business -- and on | | | | to work with liquor control devices? A liquor control |
| your bottom line. Choosing the right one requires | | | | device tracks pours from bottles. This makes billing |
| careful planning. | | | | easier and reduces shrinkage. |
| Here are some of the things you need to think through | | | | * Will the credit / debit card processing system in the |
| to make a good decision when selecting POS | | | | POS equipment work well with your merchant |
| equipment and systems for your business. Use this list | | | | account? |
| as a starting point for your planning process. | | | | * Will the system allow you to implement special deals |
| * First of all, price should not be the main consideration | | | | for frequent shoppers? For instance, each purchase |
| when buying a POS system. The improved efficiency, | | | | could have points associated with them and these |
| greater flexibility and better reporting should pay for | | | | points could eventually translate into lower prices or |
| the investment in a reasonable period of time. | | | | free gifts. |
| * Don't start off by calling for lists of features of | | | | * What reporting capabilities will you need? If you work |
| various POS systems. Instead, start with a | | | | across multiple locations, will the system give you an |
| comprehensive analysis of what your business | | | | online real-time report of transactions completed? |
| requires. | | | | Most dealers will have sample reports available. Ask to |
| * Do you have operations spread over multiple | | | | see them so that you can compare better. |
| locations? What are the implications? | | | | * In most cases, the POS system will have to be |
| If you run a restaurant, for example, you may need to | | | | upgraded as your needs evolve and expand. How |
| keep some parameters common across locations | | | | quickly can the dealer respond to your needs? |
| while varying others. For instance, your menu may be | | | | Also, most dealers put out regular software upgrades. |
| identical at all locations, but prices of some items may | | | | Are they included in the contract or does the dealer |
| vary from one outlet to another. The system you | | | | charge extra for them? |
| choose must be capable of implementing such | | | | For the sake of avoiding compatibility problems, plan to |
| differences. | | | | purchase new hardware of the same kind as the |
| * How easily can you make changes to the system? | | | | original. That way you'll ensure everything works well |
| You can be sure that your business will keep changing | | | | together -- and even if there are problems, you can |
| in many respects -- employees join and leave, prices | | | | get the dealer to handle it. |
| go up or down, your product range expands, locations | | | | * Support is a critical consideration. What happens if |
| get added or deleted and so on. | | | | your POS system goes down? This can have a |
| Ask yourself if the programming interface will easily | | | | serious impact on the business. You need to get a |
| allow your employees to execute such changes. | | | | detailed written agreement on how the dealer is going |
| * Will it be possible to make changes ahead of time? | | | | to handle breakdowns. |
| For example, if you're beginning a special promotion on | | | | The dealer may try to diagnose and solve the problem |
| November 15, can you input the price changes well in | | | | over phone initially. If that doesn't work, they may send |
| advance and set the system to automatically effect | | | | support staff to your location. And if the problem can't |
| the changes on that date? | | | | be solved quickly, you may need to get equipment on |
| This as well as other types of flexibility are essential | | | | loan till your system is repaired. |
| for many retail operations. | | | | POS system downtime can have serious implications. |
| * To what extent will the POS system need to | | | | Make sure you get the support you need. |
| integrate with your accounting system? Does it have | | | | The above list should help trigger ideas about the kind |
| to be real time? Or is it enough to have an export of | | | | of issues you need to look at. Do your planning well |
| entries at day-end? | | | | before deciding on a POS system for your business. |