| The first cash register in the world was invented by a | | | | sales, the business is able to better report on product |
| chap called James Ritty in 1879 to help stop | | | | performance., This will improve the quality of the |
| employees from stealing his takings. Called the Ritty | | | | business decisions and this will, in turn, feed into better |
| Model 1, this cash register was based on technology | | | | business performance. Good information = better |
| observed for counting the revolutions of the propeller | | | | business decisions, this has been proven time and |
| on a steamship. The device was ultimately patented in | | | | again in retail businesses. |
| 1883. | | | | Time saving. Thanks to additional features with retail |
| Cash registers have served retail businesses well. So | | | | software, many other manual processes, outside of |
| well, in fact, that many retailers prefer this simpler | | | | actual selling, can be automated. For example, ordering |
| technology to Point of sale systems which run on | | | | stock, checking off invoices for new stock, pricing new |
| computers. Today, however, good Point of Sale | | | | stock and undertaking a stock take. All of these |
| software has many advantages over register | | | | functions are more easily and accurately undertaken |
| technology. These advantages include: | | | | with a Point of Sale system than a manual cash |
| Security. The business owner has far more control | | | | register operation. This business benefits from a lower |
| over what can be done and by whom with a Point of | | | | labour cost, better quality data and better quality |
| Sale system than a register. This can reduce the | | | | business decisions. |
| opportunity for employee theft and reduce the chance | | | | The most important benefit of a Point of Sale system |
| of successful customer theft. | | | | over a cash register is the reason the cash register |
| Speed and accuracy. With fewer keystrokes to press | | | | was invented - reduced theft. While the controls, ease |
| thanks to barcode scanning and smart touch screen | | | | of use and structure provided make for significantly |
| technology, a Point of Sale system will process sales | | | | better business outcomes, it is the theft reduction from |
| much faster. This is money in the bank in a busy retail | | | | a well managed computer system which deliver |
| business. Greater throughput means a lower labour | | | | financial benefits way beyond the cost of the |
| cost per sale and this can significantly improve the | | | | technology. By replacing a cash register with a good |
| bottom line. Fewer mistakes also means a lower cost | | | | quality Point of Sale system, a retail business can |
| to the business of mistakes. | | | | expect to recover the costs in the first two years. |
| Better business decisions. By having a record of all | | | | |