Web Based Retail Pos Systems Can Work

Retail POS is short for point of sale and this generally refers to the location where the sale is made and payment is made. The checkout stand is a point of sale. The original sales checkout mechanisms were as crude as a pencil and paper and perhaps a ledger for any credit extended by the merchant.

The initial computerized inventory POS system were bulky and inordinately expensive. The checkout and reporting software was written specifically for a specific manufacturer's machines and only retail giants could afford the software and the hardware. In order to add another checkout point in the store new hardware had to be purchased from the manufacturer of the original equipment.

Today interoperability is possible among many of point of sale systems. However, the cost of even the standard hardware and the software to connect these is beyond the reach of many retailers. A custom system is certainly not usually affordable for smaller retailers.

Remotely hosted point of sale software makes point of sale software more affordable and simpler for the smaller businesses. It requires only a browser to access, can be connected to a cash drawer and a credit card machine and even a printer. Software as a service will usually have a flat fee connected to its use, this makes costs more predictable.

There are still a bewildering number of choices for the retailer considering point of sale software that is web based. Some can interact with a wider range of browser types such as Safari, Opera, and IE, while others are somewhat more limited. The retailer researches the viability and expense of remotely hosted inventory, cash management and sales software should have a check list of necessary features in order to narrow down the choices.

Cost is a large factor in the choice of any checkout and reporting software.   A fixed cost is preferable for most businesses as it can be budgeted in the same way that the mortgage or payroll is budgeted. Inventory control reports are also considered high priority features by many retailers considering these systems.

The remotely hosted merchant systems require a browser and an active internet connection in order to use. The reliability of the internet connection in the area should be considered, although in this day and age it most connections are stable. It is important however that the merchant keep in mind the type of browser they plan to use and ensure it is compatible with the system.The ability to process credit cards and debit cards is a must have for many stores or merchants. Some internet based POS systems have a specific credit card gateway provider with whom they work and the merchant could be limited there. Other systems may allow for more flexibility in processors and simply perform a recording and reporting function.

Web based retail POS systems may not be the perfect solution for all businesses. Remotely hosted software solutions are normally aimed a small to medium sized businesses who have more limited budgets and fewer transactions than the giants in the field. However this type of system can eliminate the need to invest in expensive hardware and be unable to change providers due to the proprietary nature of the hardware and software.