| There is a specific type of software known as retail | | | | than the full systems needed for just the retail store. |
| point of sale software. This is used specifically at the | | | | |
| cash register where the payment for goods | | | | The software you need will be much different |
| transaction is made. Think of this software like an | | | | depending on the industry that you work in. Besides |
| electronic cash register though it can do a lot more. | | | | printing up bills and reports the medical industry also |
| You can keep track of stock, print out receipts and | | | | needs to be able to be networked and connect to |
| even print out vouchers. The very first version of point | | | | other peripheral equipment. Restaurant industries rely |
| of sale was in 1973 from IBM though it did not do | | | | heavily on this type of software and are used to |
| much. Pathmark and Dillards department stores were | | | | increase efficiency and shorten the service time for |
| the first to use them. | | | | you to receive your food. Restaurants tend to use |
| | | | | touch screens. |
| The next advance in this software was in 1979 and | | | | |
| was mainly important to the food industry as you could | | | | You will need specific hardware to use this kind of |
| take a food order and then have the complete | | | | software and the usually accompaniments include a |
| preparation of that food printed out in the back of the | | | | barcode scanner, receipt printer, card wipe with pin |
| house. But the software that most resembles what is | | | | pad, cash drawer and credit card reader. You can |
| used today did not come about until Windows and | | | | easily connect all of these items to one workstation |
| Unix were developed in the 1990s. | | | | using a USB connection. The most used software for |
| | | | | point of sale in the US are, internally developed |
| The current versions of the software were designed | | | | programs, MICROS, Radiant/Aloha and Citadel POS. |
| specifically to be very easy to use, be consistent, | | | | |
| reliable, have plenty of remote support, rich functionality, | | | | Setting up this software in a retail store is always a bit |
| low cost and have fast operating speed. | | | | of a pain and the older the equipment the more difficult |
| | | | | this can be. You can also purchase a basic software |
| There are also specific types of software that are | | | | and as your store grows you can add on to your |
| web based and can be used on the internet. Web | | | | software as there are many mix and match features. |
| based point of sale versions are much less expensive | | | | |