You want to buy a POS system and don’t know where to start? Or you have tried out and even purchased 10 different EPOS solutions and don’t know where to look for the right software and hardware? You’re facing a difficult task, as there are thousands of solutions available in the market. In this post I will try to give you some tips to keep in mind when searching for the right solution.
First of all, I will have to warn you that the perfect solution for your business might not exist. Though the features and options offered by modern EPOS systems will overwhelm you, you will find many of them of little use. Keep the focus on the most important features you must have, and then go through the once would be nice to have. You will have to compromise or custom build your POS.
The first selection
My first tip is to concentrate first on the software, and then on hardware. The reason is very easy: your software will certainly have hardware and operating system requirements. Most POS applications only support one operating system; some are designed for Windows, others for Linux and some only work on a special POS platform created by the manufacturer. Furthermore, the software won’t support all possible devices such as printers, scales, customer displays, etc. If you first choose the hardware platform, you might not be able to run the optimal software for your business.
Just like any purchase, you start by doing your homework. The first thing you have to do is write down all requirements and wishes you have. Requirements are the must-haves: you won’t even consider applications that do not have these features. Wishes are plusses, and the software with the most plusses is more favourable. It usually helps to think about processes within your business: what is necessary when you are doing purchasing, selling, inventory control, reporting… There are templates available to help you with this task, but you can also create your own comparison sheet in your favourite spreadsheet application. It can be an extensive list, each business is different, even in the same line of business people do things differently. Do not let yourself getting impress for all the features and reports an application can offer. You will probably use less than 50% of them, but you will pay full price. Only when you have done your homework you will be able to find a solution that fits your business.
After making your list of requirements, it is time to shop for solutions. First of all, never purchase your EPOS system from your local computer consultant. You definitely need a POS specialist for this job, as POS systems are very different from ‘normal’ IT solutions. Look around, and compare every solution to your list of requirements.
Other points to keep in mind
Try to find out as much as possible about the company behind the product. The quality and trajectory of the company is as important as the product. How long has the company been in business? Solutions from relatively new companies might have problems caused by a lack of market knowledge. And what happens if the company that supports your POS system goes out of business???
Look carefully at the offered training and technical support. A solution is worthless if you don’t know how to use it. And the technical support should fit your operation: you don’t want to find out that you only have support during office hours when your brand-new system fails on a Saturday.
What type of update/upgrade program do they have? Even the best companies, such Microsoft, find bugs in their products. Or they release a new version and yours become obsolete.
Finally, ask for references, if you can ask for businesses in your field, they will understand your language.
[Photo by AainaalyaA]