Everyone has heard of the term “shop ’til you drop,” and those who are avid shoppers know how true this little phrase can be after a long day at the mall. Trying on clothes and finding ones you love is fun (at least for most girls), but it can also be tiring. The last thing anyone wants to do after hours of searching through racks and deciding on which clothes to by is wait even longer at the checkout for their purchase to be processed. This is why most stores have ditched their old cash registers and switched over to a POS system.
What is a POS System?
A point of sale system, or POS system, uses a computer in combination with a cash register to run transactions for customers. The software used for POS systems allows businesses to handle a number of different tasks, all through one convenient system. POS systems can process cash transactions, keep track of sales and inventory and can track employee hours, to name a few of its more popular functions. A POS system keeps a business operating smoothly and efficiently and makes the overall checkout experience better for customers.
Who Uses POS Systems?
- Retail Stores – Retail stores are one of the most frequent places customers come across POS systems. Retail stores, like clothing, shoe and accessory stores, sell large quantities of their products every day, and it is important for them to keep track of these sales so they know how much of what they need to restock. When a barcode is scanned through a POS system, the computer remembers the sale and documents it in an inventory file that can easily be viewed by employees.
- Pharmacies – Pharmacies are another place where POS systems are seen more and more, especially since most sell non-pharmacy items as well. Due to HIPAA regulations, certain information needs to be obtained from customers upon picking up a prescription. Pharmacy POS software can keep customer information on file to make it easier for cashiers to validate the necessary information. Pharmacy POS systems also automatically prompt customers for the required signature when a prescription is scanned for purchase, ensuring that no necessary steps are skipped.
- Restaurants – Like retail stores, restaurants also use POS systems to keep track of inventory, especially since they need to ensure that important ingredients are always well-stocked. Restaurant POS systems also serve another important function for these dining establishments. With customers constantly filing in and out and customers waiting their turn for a table, restaurants need to constantly have an idea of what tables are available and how many people they can seat. POS systems can keep track of table availability and size to ensure customers are seated as soon as space is available.
When time is of the essence, businesses need to do all they can to keep operations running smoothly. POS systems can help make businesses more efficient and can ensure that customers have pleasant shopping and dining experiences. Great references here: www.rm-solutions.com
