Sell, Sell, Sell At The Point Of Sale!

Fact: All successful retail stores, regardless of size, use a Point of Sale system.

As a retail store owner or operator, the focus is usually on sales, sales, and more sales. To that extent, it is smart to use tools that process those sales in an expedient and efficient manner. A point of sale system is key for such application.

A point of sale (or ‘POS’) system is a computerized replacement for a cash-register. Much more complete than the cash-register of even just a few years ago, a POS system can include the ability to track customer orders, record sales, manage inventory, process credit and debit cards, and connect to other stations in a network. Generally, a POS terminal has at its core a personal computer and hardware peripherals that facilitate cash-register transactions, such as credit card processing equipment, bar code scanner, receipt printer, and more. POS terminals are used at all types of retail stores and some service desks.

Luckily, there is a familiar name that can help in this area. The name QuickBooks is generally known as a small business accounting software. Another application from Intuit that has made significant inroads into the retail arena is QuickBooks Point of Sale.

QuickBooks POS is a retail sales system that helps store owners combine cash register sales with QuickBooks accounting — it has complete cash-register capabilities, integrating retail sales with QuickBooks financial software. The POS software is complemented by a hardware bundle — cash drawer, receipt printer, bar code scanner, and credit card reader. Optional peripherals include bar code label printer, customer pole display, and wireless scanner. As an extension of such automation, QuickBooks POS expands that efficiency by integrating sales transactions and inventory management with QuickBooks financial software. The combination of those two make for a complete and affordable easy-to-use retail management system.

Starting February 23rd, there is yet another retail management solution available for those wanting a web-based, more mobile POS solution — QuickBooks Point of Sale powered by Revel Systems. This iPad-based system includes all the necessary peripherals for a retail operation — cash drawer, receipt printer, wireless bar code scanner, and credit card reader. Optional peripherals include an iPad or iPad-mini based customer display. This is also great news for restaurant owners and operators as this POS solution has modules for quick and full service restaurants. Definitely a welcome addition to the QuickBooks product family!

Now more than ever, with so many choices, having the right system in place, it’s time to concentrate on what counts: sell, sell, sell at the point of sale!

…MARIO