What is a tablet POS? Should I get one?

 Best POS systems 2021

By Christian Rigg November 24, 2020


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POS systems: what you need to know

What does a POS system cost?

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POS systems: the best features

POS SYSTEMS: WHY UPGRADE?

best pos system


(Image credit: Square)

The best POS systems enable businesses to quickly and easily accept payments from customers; this includes everything from hotel rooms to hot dogs. But the days of the humble cash-only register are long gone. As the world of personal finance evolves, so too must POS systems.


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Your customers now have a wide variety of payment options available to them: contactless payments, Apple and Google Pay, bank cards with advanced new security features, and third-party payment providers. In fact, a recent study by Mastercard has shown that 50% of consumers globally prefer these new kinds of payments. 


At the same time, new opportunities exist for businesses to leverage advances in hardware and software, so they can better understand customer spending habits, manage inventories of all sizes, and offer practical services like on-floor payment processing and price checking. Greater flexibility in your POS system will mean faster transactions and greater satisfaction among your customers. 


It’s clear that modern POS systems can do wonders for your front-end operations. But which is the right one for your unique business?


In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at POS systems, the different features they offer and how to prioritize them, and how you can choose the right POS to meet your needs.


POS SYSTEMS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

What is a POS system?


POS stands for point of sale, the physical location where financial transactions take place that conclude the sale of a product or service. In the past, this has almost always meant the cash register, which is still a predominant form of POS. 


However, POS systems have evolved to do much more: they can intelligently manage your stock; handle discounts, sales, and surge pricing; integrate directly with back-end accounting software; and even track employees.


A POS system typically comprises four main components: a screen to overview and manage information relative to a sale, a card reader, a receipt printer, and software that ties everything together. In retail sectors, a barcode scanner is also included. 


Are all POS systems PCI compliant?


While most, if not all, POS systems are PCI compliant, simply using one doesn’t mean that you don’t have to worry about other components of your payment ecosystem. Opting for a POS that manages more details can help streamline the process, but it may be more costly.


How many terminals do I need?


This depends on the size of your business and your daily turnover. For smaller or medium-sized businesses that deal with lower volume, a single payment terminal is probably enough. For medium-sized businesses dealing with high volume and for larger companies, two or three terminals will be ideal. The best solution is to start with one or two based on your volume and scale up as needed. 


What is a mobile POS?


hospitality epos systems have evolved to become more flexible, so they work on many devices. For example, with nothing but a smartphone and mobile card reader, you can manage payments, refunds, and more. Mobile POS solutions are especially useful for small businesses and those without a fixed address, like food trucks and personal trainers. But they also represent a great opportunity for fixed businesses looking to leverage pop-up stores, kiosks, and mobile storefronts. 


What is a tablet POS? Should I get one?


Most modern POS are built to work on iPads and Android tablets, which gives you greater flexibility. You can choose to have them fixed in place with a stand or to keep them free to serve customers in a new but increasingly popular mobile fashion. They’re often the easiest POS to use as well, as they’ve been simplified for easier handling on a tablet. Most of the systems in this guide are tablet compatible.


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