The Latest Features and Trends in Web-based POS Software

If you’re considering adding the point of sale (POS) device for your business or even replacing the one you have with something new, it’s likely that you want to know what options you have. A POS is a method that lets you accept payments directly from your customers (i.e. at a physical location instead of online). Many retailers are switching to POS software that is web-based (also called cloud-based POS). This article aims to clarify the basics of what a web-based POS is and the elements that are required to run it.

Do a deep dive into Point of Sale software

POS is the place where an online transaction occurs typically, these are cash registers that the client would walk through while making purchases at a store.

Web-based POS Software

Point of sale that is online systems are merely a matter of changing from a Counter-mounted cash machine to an electronic register. This could be a mobile phone tablet, tablet, laptop computer, or even a specific terminal or mobile device. A web-based system allows the processing of transactions as well as the retrieval of certain data via mobile devices, and also printers for mobile transactions. Web-based POS software lets retailers access your services via the internet and store the data online.

Traditional Point of Sale software in contrast to Web-based POS Software

The traditional point of sale, sometimes referred to as server-based or on-premise POS, is a completely self-contained system made up of software and hardware components. The hardware could be part of the package however some platforms allow you to use your own. The software generally includes a fee for licensing it, and you have to install it on your own server or system. If you don’t have a license, you will not require updating the software. However, if you require upgraded features, you’ll need to pay for the new version. These systems usually require a dedicated IT staff to keep them up and running. A traditional POS usually doesn’t have the ability to integrate with an eCommerce store, and it is necessary to keep separate accounts for users and inventory for your online store and offline store.

A web-based point of sale is linked to the internet, and usually includes the majority (and even more) of the capabilities of the traditional POS software, however, the main difference is that now you don’t necessarily require traditional POS hardware. You are able to sync inventory and user accounts across the offline and online stores. You can also carry your system everywhere you travel, giving an opportunity to utilise your same POS system in a mobile manner. The web-based POS software is usually updated or is much simpler to upgrade than traditional systems. The majority of them come with a thorough reporting system that gives you information about your store. If the internet is down, a lot of web-based POS systems will still be able to keep track of sales and then connect them when the internet returns.

Internet-based POS software integrations

From accounting to marketing many of the traditional business functions have been made online. Flyers, sales and other promotional materials are now directly delivered to customers who are interested via marketing via email, such as MailChimp. You can eliminate the old filing cabinet in exchange for an internet-based bookkeeping and accounting service such as Quickbooks online. These services are designed to speed up and make it more efficient to run your business through automation of routine tasks. A reliable web-based POS is required to connect into these platforms.

Making use of Drupal Commerce again as an example, integrations with Drupal Commerce have been built for both the above-mentioned services. Utilising Drupal Commerce, you can manage the online store(s) as well as your offline store(s) and collect emails of your clients and automate bookkeeping across ALL stores. When you run an online business, you are able to set up MailChimp to deliver specific offers for customers that have left their cart.

Features & trends of web-based POS Software

MOBILE CHECKOUTS

One of the most distinctive characteristics of web-based systems for POS is the capability to be mobile. This means you are able to carry with you the registers to customers and then complete transactions using mobile devices. This will not only provide an enjoyable experience for your customers however, it also gives you the ability to empower your employees by giving employees more flexibility at work.

Faster Technology Adoption

Comprehensive solutions and user-friendly experience (UX) are now essential even though price will always be an important factor when deploying technology but now, price and having the right solution has risen to the top of the list of priorities.

In a market that is constantly evolving solutions integrators are left with no time to experiment with new products that they are not certain of or to test products from unknown suppliers. Instead, they prefer to focus on what’s already in the market and are choosing brands that have technology being adopted widely by the market-leading companies.

IMPROVED CUSTOMER SERVICE

The length of checkout lines at a slow pace can greatly affect how effective a retail outlet. Customers don’t like standing in lines to buy their products. A POS software that runs on the internet allows sales representatives to finish transactions at the counter and not be tied to cash registers. This decreases the time spent waiting and results in a more satisfied customer.

Web-based POS software allows the sales associates to instantly get customer information from different locations . Information about previous purchases is available. The information is utilised to offer a personalised service specific to the needs of each customer.

Affordable and Simplified Development

The development part of the business is seeing a shift in POS software trends. Development is speeding up and software developers are developing with cross-platform software (like StarXpand(tm) SDK). StarXpand(tm) SDK) that runs on React Native. React Native platform, cutting the development time and cost by half.

The majority of digital interactions and communication are conducted via the cloud POS software transaction, particularly for online orders are not an exception. Technologies, such as CloudPRNT allow for the seamless integration between thermal printers and cloud. These aren’t just economical, but they also reduce time to integration and development and are now the preferred solution on the market.

Plug-n-play hardware

Hike takes away the need for invasive wires and bulky hardware by allowing plug-and-play for a range of barcode scanners. Create your store in a matter of minutes using the right hardware.

COST EFFECTIVENESS

Traditional POS Systems can become very expensive because of the cost of equipment, software, installation, and any downtime that occurs during the process.

The price is considerably lower when you choose to utilize the web-based point-of-sale software. Web-based POS is able to run on any device with an Internet connection. Hardware costs are eliminated since you’ll only require wireless or mobile devices. This means that cost of installation is also reduced as well, which means there are zero interruptions. Since a web-based system is hosted, the entire software is at the provider’s end. This means that updates to software allocations, backups, and system reconfigurations are handled externally.

It’s all in the cloud!

Hike securely saves your data to the cloud. If your web browser stops working, all you need to do is switch to a different device to connect to Hike. Hike stores your crucial company data to guard it against sudden breakdowns.