Point of sale (POS) or checkout is the location where a transaction occurs. A "checkout" refers to a POS terminal or more generally to the hardware and software used for checkouts, the equivalent of an electronic cash register. A POS terminal manages the selling process by a salesperson accessible interface. The same system allows the creation and printing of the receipt.
The coined term “point of sale” or POS was created in the 1950’s and first referred to the storefront or place where goods were sold. When the term point of sale or POS is used today, it describes an automated system which networks to a database of information. Usually via a scanned barcode, the information from the sale of an item is recorded and denotes what product was sold, where it was sold and how many are left in the stock of items. Point of sale or POS is primarily linked with retail businesses. With products being delivered, sold and /or returned, businesses needed a good tracking mechanism in place. From a mom and pop business to mass retailers, everything is automated these days, thanks to computers.
Point of Sale or POS as it is more commonly abbreviated, refers to the capturing of data and customer payment information at a physical location when goods or services are bought and sold. The POS transaction is captured using a variety of devices which include computers, cash registers, optical and bar code scanners, magnetic card readers, or any combination of these devices.The term Point of Sale(POS) is applicable to a retail shop or store, the checkout/cashier counter in the store, or a location where such transactions can occur in this type of environment. It can also apply to the actual Point of Sale (POS) Hardware & Software including but not limited to : electronic cash register systems, touch-screen display, barcode scanners, receipt printers, scales and pole displays.
A point-of-sale (POS) system is a computerized replacement for a cash register. Much more complex than the cash registers of even just a few years ago, the POS system can include the ability to record and track customer orders, process credit and debit cards, connect to other systems in a network, and manage inventory. Generally, a POS terminal has as its core a personal computer, which is provided with application-specific programs and I/O devices for the particular environment in which it will serve. A POS system for a restaurant, for example, is likely to have all menu items stored in a database that can be queried for information in a number of ways. POS terminals are used in most industries that have a point of sale such as a service desk, including restaurants, lodging, entertainment, and museums.
Increasingly, POS terminals are also Web-enabled, which makes remote training and operation possible, as well as inventory tracking across geographically-dispersed locations.
For a small gift store, a basic POS system would consist of a computer, cash drawer, barcode scanner, receipt printer and the appropriate POS software. A service organization, like a lawn care company, wouldn't need a cash drawer or a receipt printer. But they might want a laser printer for their service invoices. Again, you have the flexibility to easily customize a POS system for your particular business.
POS system not only gives you control over your transactions, it also puts a wealth of information at your finger tips. Imagine being able to compare year to date and month to date sales with just a few keystrokes. A database of your customers can be a powerful marketing tool. A POS system can also track your inventory, automatically creating order lists as needed, even adjusting quantities for seasonal demand. In short, a POS system helps you keep a constant eye on your bottom line.
The coined term “point of sale” or POS was created in the 1950’s and first referred to the storefront or place where goods were sold. When the term point of sale or POS is used today, it describes an automated system which networks to a database of information. Usually via a scanned barcode, the information from the sale of an item is recorded and denotes what product was sold, where it was sold and how many are left in the stock of items. Point of sale or POS is primarily linked with retail businesses. With products being delivered, sold and /or returned, businesses needed a good tracking mechanism in place. From a mom and pop business to mass retailers, everything is automated these days, thanks to computers.
Point of Sale or POS as it is more commonly abbreviated, refers to the capturing of data and customer payment information at a physical location when goods or services are bought and sold. The POS transaction is captured using a variety of devices which include computers, cash registers, optical and bar code scanners, magnetic card readers, or any combination of these devices.The term Point of Sale(POS) is applicable to a retail shop or store, the checkout/cashier counter in the store, or a location where such transactions can occur in this type of environment. It can also apply to the actual Point of Sale (POS) Hardware & Software including but not limited to : electronic cash register systems, touch-screen display, barcode scanners, receipt printers, scales and pole displays.
A point-of-sale (POS) system is a computerized replacement for a cash register. Much more complex than the cash registers of even just a few years ago, the POS system can include the ability to record and track customer orders, process credit and debit cards, connect to other systems in a network, and manage inventory. Generally, a POS terminal has as its core a personal computer, which is provided with application-specific programs and I/O devices for the particular environment in which it will serve. A POS system for a restaurant, for example, is likely to have all menu items stored in a database that can be queried for information in a number of ways. POS terminals are used in most industries that have a point of sale such as a service desk, including restaurants, lodging, entertainment, and museums.
Increasingly, POS terminals are also Web-enabled, which makes remote training and operation possible, as well as inventory tracking across geographically-dispersed locations.
For a small gift store, a basic POS system would consist of a computer, cash drawer, barcode scanner, receipt printer and the appropriate POS software. A service organization, like a lawn care company, wouldn't need a cash drawer or a receipt printer. But they might want a laser printer for their service invoices. Again, you have the flexibility to easily customize a POS system for your particular business.
POS system not only gives you control over your transactions, it also puts a wealth of information at your finger tips. Imagine being able to compare year to date and month to date sales with just a few keystrokes. A database of your customers can be a powerful marketing tool. A POS system can also track your inventory, automatically creating order lists as needed, even adjusting quantities for seasonal demand. In short, a POS system helps you keep a constant eye on your bottom line.
Having POS systems in a business is really one way to make its work process a success. Having a system that can do business process in a fast way is really one way to make a business process a lot faster...
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