Hey all,
Which POS system would you recommend for a retail store?
Any recommendations would be helpfu.
Thanks
No recommendations as such. Just this: security should be your primary concern. Encrypted data storage. Read-only security hardened OS. Regular security updates. You don’t want to be That Store™ the one featured in the news for losing 100,000 credit card numbers.
Then when you get it, don’t ever let any other systems, such as employee PCs etc… on the same network where the POS system is.
No recommendations as such. Just this: security should be your primary concern. Encrypted data storage. Read-only security hardened OS. Regular security updates. You don’t want to be That Store™ the one featured in the news for losing 100,000 credit card numbers.
Then when you get it, don’t ever let any other systems, such as employee PCs etc… on the same network where the POS system is.
Hmm, Thanks! Appreciate your time. 
When you’re looking to purchase any system, the most important thing is to know what your requirements are. Business and non-business. Dilbert listed a bunch of them.
My advice would be to ask how the requirement is met. Too many companies say that handle security, but don’t know what their vulnerabilities are.
There are some cool looking POS systems that run off of ipad’s now. Can’t remember their names off the top of my head, but have seen them running and they are nifty.
We are actually using the “square” system for taking credit cards for our SUP business right now and we can run that off of our phone and it only takes 2.75%.
Our local coffee shop uses square or similar and 've seen several triathlon vendors at expos use it as well. It seemed pretty simple, slick, and you can play music and post on Slowtwitch all while performing POS activities. There’s often and option for customers to enter data fields with their name, email, etc if desired.
There are some cool looking POS systems that run off of ipad’s now. Can’t remember their names off the top of my head, but have seen them running and they are nifty.
We are actually using the “square” system for taking credit cards for our SUP business right now and we can run that off of our phone and it only takes 2.75%.
I actually work for Elavon and we partner with a company called Talech that is one of those Cloud based systems that utilizes an iPad. It is excellent for retail and enormously cheaper than many of the other POS systems out on the market today while offering many of the same “bells and whistles” as those pricy solutions.
If you are interested I would be more than happy to give you some more information. Just shoot me an email: Kelley.Nezwek@Elavon.com
I used to work for a POS solution provider, so I might be able to help a bit. Not knowing what kind of shop you’re looking to do, here is some food for thought:
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POS is an extension of your inventory control system. Maintaining inventory is going to be the key ingredient to successfully using the POS. Think of the POS as one of several places where inventory either comes into or leaves your system, along with your purchasing, order fulfillment, website, etc.
-
If you do rentals (wheels, wetsuits, bikes, saddles, etc.), that is worth considering for the solution you look for. Rental management is still inventory management, but somewhat twisted. Some solutions do not do this well, including the one I used to work for.
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Serialized inventory (i.e. bikes with serial numbers) also complicate things a bit.
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Credit cards usually make things complicated, too. Not the whole idea of being able to swipe the card at the cash rap, but all the processing and associated fees with it. Most POS vendors have partnerships that may or may not work well for you.
As other have said, mobile solutions are gaining a lot of ground. There are three good reasons for this in the sporting good industry - events, floor space, and customer engagement. If you are a bike or run shop and sponsoring events, being mobile is nice so you can sell stuff at the event. Connectivity can be an issue, though. Of course, you also then potentially need two devices, as you will still have somebody back at the store. For a brick and mortar store, floor space is expensive. I forget what the numbers are, but a traditional cash rap is an expensive piece of real estate. If you can downsize it or eliminate it all together, you can use that space for more product. Finally, being mobile allows your clerks/salespeople to never leave the customer’s side, giving a more personal experience, which is a key component to a successful retail store since prices are usually pretty easy to beat on the Internet.
If you are interested in hearing about the company I used to work for, PM me.
I hope that helps. Good luck!
like all the others said so far, look for an ipad based solution like Square Register, Shopify POS or something like that.
I work in the restaurant technology space and the fees the big pos companies charge is freaking ridiculous. They might get you the system for cheap but they are going to stick it to you in support and setup costs.
When you’re looking to purchase any system, the most important thing is to know what your requirements are. Business and non-business. Dilbert listed a bunch of them.
My advice would be to ask how the requirement is met. Too many companies say that handle security, but don’t know what their vulnerabilities are.
Yeah, Right but as i said i need POS for retail store so of-course its a business and totally agree that so many companies don’t know what they sale. so thanks so much for your time.
There are some cool looking POS systems that run off of ipad’s now. Can’t remember their names off the top of my head, but have seen them running and they are nifty.
We are actually using the “square” system for taking credit cards for our SUP business right now and we can run that off of our phone and it only takes 2.75%.
Ohkay, Thanks
I used to work for a POS solution provider, so I might be able to help a bit. Not knowing what kind of shop you’re looking to do, here is some food for thought:
-
POS is an extension of your inventory control system. Maintaining inventory is going to be the key ingredient to successfully using the POS. Think of the POS as one of several places where inventory either comes into or leaves your system, along with your purchasing, order fulfillment, website, etc.
-
If you do rentals (wheels, wetsuits, bikes, saddles, etc.), that is worth considering for the solution you look for. Rental management is still inventory management, but somewhat twisted. Some solutions do not do this well, including the one I used to work for.
-
Serialized inventory (i.e. bikes with serial numbers) also complicate things a bit.
-
Credit cards usually make things complicated, too. Not the whole idea of being able to swipe the card at the cash rap, but all the processing and associated fees with it. Most POS vendors have partnerships that may or may not work well for you.
As other have said, mobile solutions are gaining a lot of ground. There are three good reasons for this in the sporting good industry - events, floor space, and customer engagement. If you are a bike or run shop and sponsoring events, being mobile is nice so you can sell stuff at the event. Connectivity can be an issue, though. Of course, you also then potentially need two devices, as you will still have somebody back at the store. For a brick and mortar store, floor space is expensive. I forget what the numbers are, but a traditional cash rap is an expensive piece of real estate. If you can downsize it or eliminate it all together, you can use that space for more product. Finally, being mobile allows your clerks/salespeople to never leave the customer’s side, giving a more personal experience, which is a key component to a successful retail store since prices are usually pretty easy to beat on the Internet.
If you are interested in hearing about the company I used to work for, PM me.
I hope that helps. Good luck!
Of-course it helps but how can i trust on your company cause i dunno them…
RICS has been a solid inventory/POS/mobile solution in my experience. It works, is straightforward, extensible across multiple locations. I am not affiliated with that company, just have used it.
RICS has been a solid inventory/POS/mobile solution in my experience. It works, is straightforward, extensible across multiple locations. I am not affiliated with that company, just have used it.
Hmm lemme google it! Can i find it there?
I sent you a PM, but I don’t know if you can get them yet, since you’re relatively new to the forum. If you didn’t get it, you can find my e-mail via the link in my signature.
Heard you can get some good ones at Target.
What the F is your problem? You come on here and ask a non-tri question on a triathlon forum and get some pretty good feedback. All of your responses so far have been pretty condescending.
Oh wait. You’re new here and these are your only posts. Troll?
I’m starting to think you’re right. I fell for it.
Hey all, which POS system would you recommend for a retail store?
Your seats too high. Usually the foruminati have already started massing for an onslaught so I am really surprised at the restraint but as others have already stated, this is a triathlon related forum, so why not take this question over to the Lavender room where it belongs?