The cash register has quickly become the cassette tape of the retail and hospitality vertical. Mobile point-of-sale systems (mPOS) that enable fast, secure and convenient transaction in traditional and/or unique environments are quickly gaining more acceptance within businesses. Shipments of new mobile POS devices in general are projected to increase more than 400 percent by 2019, according to Mobile Payments Today. Tablet POS devices, in particular, are finding their way into increasingly more retailers as ISVs create applications as a bridge to your current business infrastructure. There are a multitude of reasons every business looking to upgrade their traditional POS system should consider searching for a mobile POS system that may better fit their needs.
Lower total cost of ownership.
While the initial cost of a tablet POS may be higher than an electronic cash register (ECR), the mobile platform will earn back more than its investment over time. ECR does nothing more than accept transactions. With tablet POS, you not only can conduct transactions (including cash payments and returns) and queue-bust during peak volume times, but you can also “save the sale” by looking up inventory information for stock outs. In addition, the tablet POS is built to be durable for any retail or restaurant environment. Mobile POS lets your employees stay with your customers from the moment they arrive until they pay. Not only can this help enhance the customer experience, but also foster a relationship between your customers and employees.
Easy to setup and use.
Tablet POS is user-friendly and compatible with Android™, Apple® iOS, and Windows® — the very same mobile software platforms your employees use on their personal mobile devices. In no time at all, your tablet POS can be up and running, and earning its ROI. The hardware is also lightweight, reduces clutter at the checkout, and comes equipped with the same peripherals as a traditional POS system. Setup is often exceptionally simple as well, decreasing training times with employees and times in which your business may be offline due to updating your system.
Expanded features
ECRs offer few, if any, features beyond basic sale and return transactions. On the other hand, tablet POS offers Bluetooth and USB connectivity so you can add on peripherals that will be useful to your associates and to your customers. Some tablet POS hardware comes with a built-in cash drawer, scanner and receipt printer, so you simply need to pick the tablet that best matches your needs to go live with your new system.
Cloud POS offers better data security.
Tablet POS software backs up data to the cloud, enhancing your data security. With transactions backed up outside of the local tablet device, you can rest assured that your information is still available in the event that the equipment is lost or stolen.
Versatility.
Tablet POS gives you options. Restaurants using mobile POS can generate higher table turnover and accelerate order processing during peak hours. Users also have the option to dock your tablet POS as a fixed terminal to checkout customers primarily in one location. Additionally, your tablet POS can seamlessly integrate with loyalty and rewards programs, inventory software, or workforce scheduling and optimization applications. Mobile POS can also give you the ability to decide when, where and how you can market and sell your product. From flea market to flash sidewalk sale to line busting, mobile POS can provide a solution to maximize sales.
Convenience.
With an ergonomic tablet POS plus cash drawer/receipt printer, you can accept all payments anywhere, anytime. This is a big improvement over common mPOS, which traditionally only handles electronic payments.
Space Efficient.
Ergonomic solutions reduce your POS footprint significantly. With their small size and sleek profile, these platforms are attractive and unobtrusive in your retail or restaurant environment, freeing up space in which you can add tables or expand merchandise displays. Also, because many of these these ergonomic mobile solutions rely on Bluetooth technology for connectivity, they’re fully mobile when needed and rid you of tangled wires and a jumble of dongles.
Full Peripheral Availability
Ergonomic mobile solutions offer robust features and functionality for a wide range of applications. Small and compact, built-in printers lets you quickly and quietly print a receipt as soon as the transaction closes. Additionally, single accessories are sometimes needed without a full system. In this case, you should check to see if your system could support additional printers for your bar, kitchen, and other areas. A secure cash drawer stores currency, checks, receipts and other important items. The size of cash drawer you choose will depend on the number of cash transactions you process a day. If your tablet or mobile device lacks a barcode scanner, your ergonomic mobile solution easily accommodates an optional plug-and-play scanner for reading merchandise.
Software applications
To get the greatest value of your ergonomic mobile solution, pick a software application that supports the latest payment options such as NFC and EMV. This will help you to avoid another technology upgrade in the near future.
Tablet/device
When evaluating tablet and mobile device options on the market, be sure to select hardware that’s designed to process NFC and EMV payments, preferably without requiring addons or peripherals to do so. Choose a device that’s compatible with your preferred software application. Most software applications have a preferred operating system, however if you need a software application to be cross compatible, make sure to do your research and find a web-based solution.
Digital Receipt
More and more retailers want to deliver an in-store experience that provides digital support. There are innovative, downloadable apps on the market today that are supported by many POS systems. These apps allow your customers to receive a digital copy of their receipt on their smartphones. Some of these apps even allow functionality for customer satisfaction surveys, so retailers can always get a gauge on how they are perceived by their customers.
If you currently have a POS system in place, you don’t have to ditch it to test an mPOS solution. Just contact your technology reseller and they can provide information on several options. Then, when you decide which one to go with, roll it out slowly, starting with your younger, tech-savvy customers.
Co-contributors: Samy Massarani & Ray Hamilton