There are four main types of POS systems on the market. When you are about to automate your retail business it most certainly comes to a choice between one of them. Here are some of the main advantages and disadvantages to have in mind when you make the decision.
1. The so called “embedded systems” are one of the most widespread yet.
Using a single device, installed on one place once and forever may sound very tempting but it could be really risky. Have in mind that by using a cash register you will most probably face certain limitations if you want to scale your business. Not only that these devices have problems to communicate with each other but they also can’t connect with many external devices, such as card readers or touch screens. Also any integration with other systems or loyalty programs is close to impossible.
2. Web based POS systems don’t require any installation and require minimal maintenance, they just work in your Internet browser.
Your data is securely stored in a data center outside your work space which spares you the worries of someone destroying or stealing your server with all the information saved on it. On the other hand, these types of systems are very dependent on the Internet connectivity and even a minute without a connection can cause you a huge headache. Another disadvantage is the limitation they have when it comes to communication with external hardware. Web browsers cannot communicate directly with serial ports and USB ports or devices connected to them and thus cannot be used to connect devices like electronic scales.
3. Desktop based solutions are easier to scale within a single location. This means that adding a new cash register in the store is a simple task. Most such solutions require complex VPN configurations when it comes to connecting multiple locations. But some use advanced technologies to avoid such problems. For example with IncoPOS you can avoid that because using IncoCloud can scale easy and avoid the usual so called “Single Point of Failure”. Such situation is for example when a single database server (or a cluster) is used to store the whole data. Then if this server breaks down or the connection with it is interrupted then the whole system breaks with it. With IncoCloud every location uses its own server, synchronized with IncoCloud so even if some or all of the servers break down you can restore your data base from your account on IncoCloud. Another option that desktop systems offer is that you can store all data on your own server if you don’t trust that somebody else will keep it safe. One of the most important advantages, however, is that this system does not require Internet connection at all if you have one location. And in case you are using IncoCloud with more than one locations and you want to synchronize your database it’s enough to connect to the Internet only a few times every day.
4. Mobile POS systems are very easy to install and maintain. They communicate by Bluetooth or WiFi and are optimizing both your staff’s work and yours by making it possible to make sales on the go, look up inventory from any place or check the daily income of your shop when you are at home, for example. One major disadvantage of the mobile devices is that they don’t have full functionality of most desktop POS systems and in many cases they are hard to scale or work with a central database server. That is why choosing a hybrid solution with mobile POS system like IncoPOS for Android that allows connectivity with a full featured desktop POS is the best solution in most cases.
The trends in the latest years are leading more and more clients to shift to web based and mobile POS systems. The main reasons are the quick and easy set-up and the simplicity of their use. In many cases, however, these solutions are not yet functional enough to satisfy new emerging requirements as businesses grow. When you decide what POS system type is best for your business you have to answer some very important questions for yourself:
- Are you planning to grow your business in the near future? If so you have to make sure that your POS system can grow with you
- Do you need a high level of security for your business data? If you answer “Yes” you might need a cloud service to provide secure and remote back-up so even in case of a natural disaster your information will be safe
- Can you rely on 100% Internet connection in every single location? If you don’t want to take that risk you have to have an offline solution as well
- Do you want to invest a lot of money in a POS system? If you prefer a better value for the money make sure that the system you choose has all the functionality you need and is on a reasonable price.Remember that choosing a POS solution can be crucial for your success and by making the smart choice you can save yourself a lot of money, time and headaches.