There are so many types of POS systems available for specific businesses. It includes cloud-based POS, online POS, web POS, offline POS, mobile POS, tablet POS, iPad POS, Android POS, desktop POS, ePOS, multichannel POS, and omnichannel POS. it will also help you to meet your different business needs.
For choosing the right system you need to identify your business needs. Always remember this is your long-term investment. So it is really important to invest in the right POS system. Are you confused? Let’s make it clear.
What is the POS system?
The Point of Sale (POS) system enables your business to receive payments from customers and maintain a record of sales. It’s not just about selling online or having a physical storefront, it’s also about selling both.
The point of sale system is used to connect to the cash register at a store. And it also simplifies the merchant to manage all sales, and purchase activities, track inventories, employees, customers, and more.
Before you know the different types of POS systems, it is essential to understand what the point of sale (POS) system is.
What is POS system?
A POS system allows you to track sales and manage customers and other business operations. in short, it helps your overall business to go to the next level.
The core benefit of a POS system it can be integrated with other software as well. you can simply integrate with your existing software like eCommerce, CRM, Accounting, and Marketing software.
If you are a limited budget and you not looking to buy separate software you can use POS systems and which include their own CRM, accounting, and other features.
POS software’s main features
- Sales management
- Customer loyalty programs
- Order management
- Employee management
- Marketing campaign
The changes in the software are very beneficial for businesses in the retail restaurant industry. the software makes it easy for you to do many things on your own. Today’s software enables you to manage your business fully.
POS Hardware
Of course, hardware is essential for running POS software. Hardware is convenient today. It requires compatible software. The hardware of many companies like Sunmi is available today.
Types POS Hardware
- Receipt printers
- Barcode scanners
- Cash drawers/registers
- Label printers
- Touchscreen terminal
- Credit card reader
- Scale for weighing items
- Customer-facing display
Types of POS systems
That said, there are plenty of POS systems. A different point of sale may need to be used to meet different needs. There are many activities like inventory management, sales, employee reporting, and customer management. It is also beneficial to fulfill all these. Understand your needs and choose the desired POS system.
Type: POS systems
There are 5 major types of POS systems.
- Desktop POS system
- Mobile POS system
- Tablet POS systems
- iPad POS
- Self-service kiosk POS systems
Desktop POS system
The desktop POS system can run on computers, laptops, applications, and browsers. It can be connected to a cash drawer, barcode scanner, as well as card swiper and run like a normal cash register.
Desktop POS is ideal for high-end businesses. This high-performance system is widely used in restaurants, retail establishments, saloons, and fashion stores.
Features of desktop POS include inventory management, reporting, analytics, payment integration, customer resource management, and also the customer loyalty program.
Mobile POS system
The changes in the new technology are beyond your expectations. Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices can act as the electronic point of the sales terminal. Mobile POS is a system or mPOS.
Attach credit card readers, barcode scanners, cash drawers, and receipt printers to your mobile device. A great feature of mobile POS is that it can be connected to multiple hardware. with your point of sale software, so you can manage your business.
Mobile POS hardware is portable so no special space is required. You can easily use the hardware from anywhere in the store. Therefore, the system is used in small stores to multi-level stores.
Mobile POS offers loyalty programs, reporting, payment integration, inventory management, and more. In short, it provides everything you need to manage your business.
Benefits of mobile POS system
- Inexpensive hardware
- A variety of hardware and software options
- Complete Integration with POS
- Portable
- More customer interactions
- Data Insights
Tablet POS systems
The tablet POS system is similar to the mobile POS system as mentioned earlier. The only hardware used here is the tablet. Tablets make it easy to manage the business. It is widely used in restaurants and retail establishments.
Since most tablets are Android-based, the POS software will also be Android-based. Therefore, there will be no shortage of hardware. Because today there are a lot of Android hardware options.
As mentioned in the mobile POS, the tablet POS emphasizes all the features like loyalty programs, reporting, and also inventory management.
iPad POS
The iPad POS is a POS system that can be used on iPads. it will also increase the quality of your business.
Apple products are very expensive. Therefore, the system is used to manage companies’ inventory, payments, gift cards, reports, and customer loyalty.
It also has all the above tablet POS features. But the iPad POS is built on iOS software instead of Android software.
Benefits of iPad POS
- Easy to Use
- Adaptable
- More suitable For The Environment
- Based on Cloud POS Software
- Robustness
- Security
Self-service KIOSK POS system
The KIOSK is one of the systems with advanced technology. in the case of the KIOSK system, it is also an essential position. Manual KIOSK is a touchscreen that aims to help visitors/customers place an order without any help from your staff.
It also allows customers to place orders and view pricing information through a screen placed in front of the shop.
Learn more about self-ordering KIOSK
Benefits OF kiosk POS system
- Speedy ordering and payments
- Enhanced the efficiency of orders
- Menu updated from time to time
- Analysis of consumer behavior
Online ordering POS
The online ordering system allows businesses to receive orders from their customers. The fact is that online ordering will influence their business to improve. With today’s technology, furthermore, customers can order food and other items from home. without going to a restaurant or a retail shop.
You can also integrate your POS software with many online aggregators.
Learn more about online orderings
Benefits of Online ordering POS
- Increase revenue
- Save money
- Image of items and item notes
- Ordering with QR code
- Delivery module
- Integrated with an online ordering platform
Pro-tip to choose
By identifying your business needs you can choose the right system. You need to consider not only simplifying your business operations but also customer experience as well. a system like a self-checkout kiosk or iPad POS could bring a premium customer experience to your business.
Make sure the retail/ restaurant POS system you choose should be very innovative and expandable to the future.
In the future, you may need to invest in more POS systems. the system you already purchased should be able to integrate with other POS systems also.
conclusion
This blog about the Types of POS systems is very relevant in this 2022 period. We are sure this will help you find the right POS. Choosing the POS system that best suits your needs can help you manage your business as a whole. and also Makes it all easier for you.