Most of you are familiar with point of sale (POS) systems, even if you don't realize it. They're the software and hardware that a retail business needs to run their business. From ordering and managing inventory to processing transactions, managing customers and staff, the point of sale is the central hub that helps retailers grow their business. POS systems have enabled anyone, from business-savvy entrepreneurs to artisans who want to turn their passion into their profession, to open a retail store and grow. So let's get into answering your burning POS questions.
"POS" is an abbreviation for point of sale, which refers to any place where a transaction can happen, whether it's for a product or service.
For retailers, that's usually the area surrounding their cash register - where customers exchange money for a product or service. But If you have a mobile POS, your entire store effectively becomes a point of sale (but we'll get to that a little later).
A POS System is the actual software and hardware you
use to manage your business. It's the tool you use to
analyze and order your inventory, employees, customers,
and sales.
Traditionally, POS systems were on-premise, which means
they used an on-site server and could only run in a
specific area of your store. That's why your desktop
computer, cash register, receipt printer, barcode
scanner, and payment processor were all set up at your
front desk and couldn't be moved (well, moved
hassle-free).
In the early 2000s, a big technological breakthrough
happened: the cloud. With the advent of cloud-based
storage and computing came the next step in POS
technologies evolution: mobility.
Jane Smith
April 26
Mobile POS systems also opened up a ton of new sales opportunities, like opening a pop-up shop or selling at trade shows and festivals.