POS Solutions, POS Retail
Article | January 12, 2024
Contents
1.Introduction
2.POS-related Problems Faced by Modern Retailers
2.1 Security (absence of PCI compliance)
2.2 Insufficient Technical Support
2.3 Network Reliability and Downtime
2.4 Scalability and Flexibility
2.5 No Mobile App Version Option
3 Custom Cloud POS Development: Solving Modern POS Problems
4 TheWays Ahead
1. Introduction
With the rapidly changing retail landscape, retailers are constantly looking for effective and innovative ways to provide secure and quick transactions with the ability to monitor and track the sales plan execution. As a result, they are increasingly looking for innovative POS systems, such as mobile app-based POS, with the latest capabilities that can collect data from inventory, customer, and payment sources for making deeper analysis and reporting on the company’s performance. Traditional off-the-shelf POS systems and POS withdrawal networks are not equipped to cover all requirements and needs of the retailers, which causes numerous problems after implementation. Custom cloud POS development allows for reviewing all these problems and risks before deployment, where they consider all the peculiarities and requirements, including POS security and POS network, as a business owner. In addition to the deepening trend of customization, businesses are increasingly focusing on building customized cloud POS development that meets their exact requirements.
2. POS-related Problems Faced by Modern Retailers
Retail businesses implement POS software and applications for better data management, inventory management, finance and payments management, sales data analytics, and precise report generation. Every organization chooses a POS system based on its required feature set. However, POS implementation frequently is unable to address all issues that arise in the processes that it is required to resolve.
Here are some of the most common POS problems that retailers face:
2.1 Absence of PCI Compliance and Security
One of the significant challenges modern retailers face during the implementation of conventional POS systems is the absence of Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance which hamper POS security. This poses a serious security risk as it leaves retailers vulnerable to potential data breaches and compromises customer payment information. Therefore, ensuring the implementation of robust POS system security measures and complying with PCI standards becomes imperative for businesses and retailers to safeguard sensitive data and maintain customer trust.
2.2 Insufficient Technical Support
Another hurdle modern retailers face is the lack of adequate POS technical support during the implementation process. Inadequate support can result in delays, system malfunctions, and difficulties in troubleshooting technical issues. As a result, retailers require prompt assistance to address any technical glitches that may arise, ensuring smooth operations and minimizing disruptions to their business activities.
2.3 Network Reliability and Downtime
In a fast-paced retail environment, where transactions must be processed swiftly and seamlessly, any disruptions or slowdowns in the POS network can lead to significant revenue losses and customer dissatisfaction. Retailers heavily rely on a stable POS network connection to ensure real-time inventory updates, accurate pricing, and efficient payment processing. Therefore, any network outages or connectivity issues can hamper the smooth functioning of the POS system and adversely impact the overall business operations.
2.4 Scalability and Flexibility
Retail businesses often experience fluctuations in demand, particularly during peak seasons or promotional campaigns. Due to this, they require POS systems that can efficiently handle high transaction volumes and accommodate additional functionalities or integrations as the business grows. However, many retailers encounter challenges when trying to scale their existing POS infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of their business. The lack of scalability and flexibility can hinder their ability to adapt to changing market dynamics and may result in operational inefficiencies and missed growth opportunities.
2.5 No Mobile App Version Option
With the increasing adoption of mobile devices and the growing demand for mobile shopping experiences, the absence of a mobile app version for the POS system poses a problem for modern retailers. Not having a mobile POS app version restricts retailers from offering convenient mobile-based transactions and limits their ability to cater to customers' changing preferences. A retailers system enables retailers to enhance customer engagement, improve convenience, and tap into the growing mobile commerce market.
3. Custom Cloud POS Development: Solving Modern POS Problems
Custom cloud POS development offers a comprehensive solution to the challenges faced by modern retailers during the implementation of POS systems. It addresses security concerns by incorporating robust measures, including encryption protocols and adherence to PCI compliance standards. Retailers can work closely with experienced developers to ensure the system safeguards sensitive customer payment information, enhancing trust and confidence in their brand.Additionally, custom development provides tailored technical support, allowing retailers to define their specific requirements and receive prompt assistance. This minimizes disruptions and ensures smooth operations throughout the implementation process.Custom cloud POS development enables retailers to choose a reliable system provider, negotiating service-level agreements to guarantee uninterrupted connectivity and fast response times. This also assists retailers in adapting the system to their changing needs and integrating a mobile app based POS system to enhance customer engagement and align with the growing trend of mobile commerce.Retailers can create a seamless mobile experience, enabling customers to make purchases, access loyalty programs, and check inventory conveniently from their mobile devices by collaborating with developers. The adoption of custom cloud POS development assists retailers to optimize their operations, provide a seamless shopping experience, and stay competitive in the ever-evolving retail industry.
4. The Ways Ahead
With evolving customer expectations, the demand for personalized experiences and seamless integrations will continue to drive the adoption of custom POS development. The growing integration of advanced technologies such as data analytics, artificial intelligence, and omnichannel capabilities in the cloud POS is further assisting custom cloud POS systems to offer even more sophisticated features and insights, such as enhanced POS security and POS network. On account of this, businesses are able to adapt their POS systems to specific requirements and gain deeper insights into customer behavior, optimize operations, and make data-driven decisions. As custom cloud POS development provide robust POS security measures and compliance with emerging regulations, ensuring the protection of sensitive customer data and mitigating the risk of data breaches, the demand for these modern POS system will significantly increase across the retail industry in the coming years.
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POS Solutions
Article | February 15, 2024
How much does it cost to install a point of sale (POS) system?
It’s a question that we get all the time and the answer might surprise you.
If you’re trying to grow a retail small business, you probably don’t have all the money and resources in the world to commit to an expensive retail POS system.
Moreover, finding the best retail POS system for your growing small business is easier said than done, especially if you don’t know what features to prioritize in your search.
So, what’s the good news? Finding the right POS system for your business is as easy as 1-2-3 and installing a POS system is actually quite affordable!
How Much Does it Cost to Install a POS System?
The short answer: it depends and varies by POS type and by vendor. We've seen POS installation costs range from $0-$700. Installation costs come on top of the upfront hardware costs (up to $1,600), monthly software fees (anywhere from $9-299 per month) and payment processing fees.
When it's all said and done, your total cost of ownership for year one can range from $1,200-$6,500. Controlling POS installation costs is key in minimizing first-year total ownership cost.
There are two types of costs to consider related to installing a POS system: time costs and financial costs. The most significant delays come when the POS system isn’t pre-configured for your unique business. In this scenario, you may spend a considerable amount of time aligning the system with your sales processes.
Additionally, if your inventory management, employee payroll, and other tools are built inside separate programs, you may need to spend time integrating and combing these systems, thus increasing POS installation costs.
Finally, if the provider doesn’t offer online software guides or tutorials, you may spend your time figuring out features and functionality on your own. Without these helpful resources, you’ll spend a considerable amount of time fumbling through the system. No one has time for that!
These time costs tie directly into financial costs. Instead of spending time installing a POS system yourself, you could be spending that time ringing in sales!
Here are some of the other things that influence POS system installation costs.
Number of Stations
If your POS system isn’t pre-configured so that you can “plug and play,” you’re most likely going to require an on-site technician to install your POS. Often, the total number of stations influences total installation cost. The more stations you have, the more time the technician has to spend installing them, and the higher your installation costs will be.
Type of Software/Hardware
This is another downfall of not purchasing an all-in-one retail POS system that comes pre-configured. Some software and hardware come with additional installation costs because they require more time for your on-site technician to complete.
These costs can also be looked at from the type of POS system you purchase: on-site, cloud-based, or hybrid.
On-site POS systems typically take the most effort to install, meaning a higher financial cost. Cloud-based and hybrid POS systems are easier to install, but installation time is dictated by whether the software and hardware is pre-configured or not.
Advanced Features
Many advanced POS system features may require additional time and additional cost for a technician to install.
iPads or other mobile devices for staff to use when serving customers
Handheld scanners for inventory
Payment hardware and their corresponding security systems or software
Data or product migrations from your previous POS system
Number of Users
Certain POS providers price their system based on the number of users. This can also affect install costs. If you require an on-site technician and/or you don’t have access to a tutorial for adding users to the system, the technician will most likely have to do that for you. Again, this means more time spent installing your POS system, increasing the total installation cost.
Training
Some POS providers will wrap POS system training into installation costs. This will require an investment of time from key stakeholders, including management and employees.
Some POS providers will also charge you for additional training outside of the initial training session. If they don’t have online training resources, this means every new employee will either need to be trained by the provider (costing you money) or trained by you or another staff member (costing you time).
POS Nation Reduces the Cost of Installing a POS System
With a POS Nationall-in-one retail POS system, setting up your hardware is easier than you’d think. The benefit of purchasing a full point of sale system from us is that it’s a plug-and-play solution. Take it out of the box, plug everything in, and it’s ready to go! Our team of technicians pre-configures your hardware so you don't have to worry about any installations when it arrives. Most of our advanced features are baked right into the software. There are some that cost extra, but most are pre-installed, making us a more powerful and affordable solution.
Additionally, you are assigned a customer success manager. Their goal is to help you get up and running as quickly and smoothly as possible. They will schedule a hardware setup appointment with you. During this call, they will assist you with:
Remote hardware setup
Hardware testing
A test transaction on the pinpad
Any basic training they can cover during the appointment time
They will book as many training sessions as you need to solidify your understanding of the software and its many functionalities.
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POS Solutions
Article | March 18, 2024
Savvy retailers partner with leading marketplace software providers to dominate the digital marketplace with unified retail. Read the article to unlock the ingredients of successful retailing.
Contents
1. Unified Retail Management: The Inducer of Selling Prowess
2. Multichannel Versus Unified Commerce in Retail
3. Unlocking Operational and POS Success with Unified Retailing
4. Top Companies Dealing in Unified Retailing Software
4.1 Tackle.io
4.2 Anchanto
4.3 Logicbroker
4.4 JungleWorks
4.5 Appscrip
4.6 NuORDER
4.7 CS-Cart
4.8 AppDirect
4.9 Convictional
4.10 Mirakl
5. Summing Up
1. Unified Retail Management: The Inducer of Selling Prowess
Unified retail management is a distinct approach to retailing that involves managing diverse retail operations, from inventory management to checkouts, through a single, integrated system. By ensuring personalized shopping experiences, offering impressive integration with POS systems and checkout options, and simplifying digital marketplace processes, the unified approach benefits B2B businesses in many ways, transforming them into true selling prowess.
Over 66% of all software spending in retail is now focused on the concept of unified commerce.
[Source: Research and Markets]
With the apparent shift toward unified retail management, businesses adopting this approach today hold a competitive edge in the market. A single, integrated system comprising marketplace optimization tools helps them streamline operations, enhance productivity, reduce manual work, and gain greater visibility into their activities.
2. Multichannel Versus Unified Commerce in Retail
Representing different strategies in the retail sector, both multichannel and unified retail management approaches aim to offer customers an exceptional shopping experience, enhancing loyalty and satisfaction. While multichannel retail management involves maintaining and managing diverse sales channels, a unified approach combines them to ensure a uniform customer experience across all touchpoints.
A prominent distinction between the two is their respective points of focus. Notably, the unified approach focuses on rendering consistent customer experiences, while the multichannel approach aims to ensure a harmonious appearance of the brand. Yet, unlike the complex infrastructure that the multichannel platform entails, a unified retail management software consolidates all retail operations on a single platform, overcoming operational inefficiencies and data inconsistencies that can emerge in the former approach. The simplicity of the unified software further ushers in the desired agility in operations and decision-making prowess. Significantly, with features like consolidated platforms and real-time data synchronization, which are hard to find in a multichannel platform, unified commerce software limits the chances of discrepancies and errors, elevating business growth and profits.
3. Unlocking Operational and POS Success with Unified Retailing
As customer expectations shift and the retail environment matures, businesses worldwide are increasingly implementing unified retail management for enhanced POS strategies and peak financial gains. This transition ensures that separate channels don’t usher in frustrations with inconsistencies in customer experiences. Importantly, with online marketplace optimization tools for unified retailing, B2B businesses further stand to bridge potential gaps, unlocking operational and POS excellence, marked by:
● High Operational Efficiency
Unified retail management systems streamline various retail operations, including merchandising, marketing, and customer relations, combining different aspects of retailing to reduce manual work and increase overall operational efficiency. It further improves inventory management and ensures that overstock situations at POS are averted.
● Process Simplification for Better Customer Experiences
Whether it is simplifying crucial processes such as easy returns or ensuring seamless transactions via faster checkout and payment options, unified retail management builds trust and loyalty among customers by rendering them hassle-free experiences across all digital marketplaces and touchpoints.
● Integrated POS and Effortless Checkouts
In a unified approach, efficient transaction processing is made possible by effortlessly integrating the POS system with inventory management. This allows real-time updates of inventory levels and integrated reporting for better decision-making. It also lets businesses add effective self-checkout options, encouraging higher purchases and seamless checkout experiences.
● Better Insights and Visibility
With unified retail management systems, retailers gain greater visibility into their operations, as data and analytics are centralized. This centralization enables them to optimize POS strategies and view real-time information on variables like sales performance, customer behaviors, and stock levels.
● Personalized Selling
Unified retail management systems easily consolidate customer data from different sources into a single, centralized database, allowing for personalized selling. They also enable B2B businesses to implement dynamic pricing, offer tailored recommendations at POS, and carry out targeted promotions based on such data, cultivating stronger customer relationships and overcoming inconsistencies.
Companies that grow faster drive 40 percent more of their revenue from personalization than their slow-growing counterparts.
[Source: McKinsey]
● Cost Saving
Despite the initial investment, a transition to unified retailing promises marketplace optimization tools, which increase cost efficiency, curtail manual errors, and reduce the costs associated with handling separate channels and systems.
● E-commerce Integration
Unified retail management software easily integrates with e-commerce platforms. It allows retailers to manage online storefronts, align data across different channels, and process online orders, ensuring smooth functioning and optimum profits.
● Omnichannel Capabilities
With a unified approach, retailers could further organize omnichannel marketing campaigns, providing consistent offers, pricing, and messages across multiple touchpoints. This would also ensure customers get personalized recommendations at POS and promotions, regardless of their chosen channel.
● A True Competitive Advantage
From enhanced flexibility and customer experience to robust security and supply chain resilience, the unified approach renders a true competitive advantage to retailers, enabling them to become industry leaders and grow their customer base effectively.
4. Top Companies Dealing in Unified Retailing Software
With business optimization at the core, leading marketplace software providers are empowering businesses to attain success with the unified retailing approach.
Here’s a list of the top companies that are rendering forward-looking unified retail solutions to businesses:
4.1 Tackle.io
Founded by industry veterans, Tackle.io is a unified retail software provider that aims to simplify B2B software retail processes. Considering the present-day cloud era, Tackle.io offers an impressive platform to businesses, rendering them high earnings potential from cloud marketplaces and allowing them to launch products quickly without wide-ranging engineering resources.
Offering a comprehensive Cloud GTM platform, Tackle.io aims to support various aspects of cloud-generated revenue for enterprise-level businesses, including co-selling and marketplace integration. It employs a data-driven approach to enhance customer satisfaction and increase profits. Significantly, its easy integration with hyperscale cloud ecosystems simplifies partner collaborations and automates co-selling workflows.
4.2 Anchanto
Facilitating online sales and shipping for retailers, brands, and logistics companies, Anchanto is a notable unified retail management software provider headquartered in Singapore. The company offers a comprehensive technology stack to businesses and streamlines their retail operations through solid integration capabilities, data analytics, post-purchase services, etc., enabling them to achieve operational excellence.
The company boasts advanced SaaS technology to offer retailers scalability, cost-effectiveness, and regular updates. Furthermore, with impressive integration with more than 150 POS systems, global marketplaces, ERPs, and web stores, Anchanto allows for real-time data access and enhanced decision-making. Correspondingly, it renders customized solutions to 3PL businesses and eliminates customers’ WISMO queries, ensuring high customer loyalty.
4.3 Logicbrocker
Logicbroker is a leading multi-vendor commerce solution provider that links trading partners seamlessly, regardless of their integration methods. Offering a wide range of products, the company helps retailers enhance their brand presence by fostering connections and managing operations. Predominantly, the solution provider serves mid-market and enterprise manufacturers and retailers in different industries, including consumer electronics, health and wellness, home improvement, etc.
The company’s distinct product onboarding center cuts down manual tasks, while its dropshipping solution helps retailers widen their product range without requiring additional warehousing space. Furthermore, with tools for more straightforward payment processing, split payments, dispute resolution, visibility, and control, the solution provider supports business development, ensuring security and regulatory compliance, including CCPA, SOC, and GDPR standards.
4.4 JungleWorks
JungleWorks is a notable unified retailing software provider that renders no-code solutions to businesses wishing to manage hyperlocal operations like on-demand delivery or home services. It offers various solutions for faultless on-demand operations of companies of all sizes, from establishing online marketplaces to facilitating transactions and managing logistics.
The company aims to help on-demand service providers foster enhanced customer engagement through personalized marketing campaigns and omnichannel capabilities. It streamlines fleet operations, ensuring robust vehicle tracking and monitoring of real-time driver activities. It also provides headless e-commerce solutions, enabling businesses to leverage limitless API-driven integrations and customization options.
4.5 Appscrip
Powering mobile-first business models, Appscrip is a technology solution provider that caters to diverse businesses such as social, on-demand, shopping, messaging, discovery, etc., facilitating their technology management and modernizing their businesses through augmented reality, IoT, and telematics. With scalable, aesthetically appealing mobile apps, the solution provider is helping retailers expand their businesses by focusing on their products and ensuring high customer satisfaction.
Correspondingly, the comprehensive solution provider offers end-to-end IT and development services to retailers, helping businesses through the whole product development cycle, from ideation to implementation. Furthermore, with its specialization in mobile-first models, dedicated POD teams, and impressive tech stack, it prioritizes user experiences, enabling businesses to launch their products rapidly, scale their businesses, and ensure high customer engagement through an intuitive interface.
4.6 NuORDER
Lightspeed, a leading B2B platform provider, offers the NuORDER solution to businesses, which carries the right ingredients for retailing success. The comprehensive NuORDER software promises users compelling features like integrated payment solutions and virtual showrooms, simplifying wholesale transactions for brands and retailers worldwide. Acquired by Lightspeed in 2021, the software further facilitates automated workflows and data-driven decisions for B2B selling with integrations with over 120 POS systems, ERP, and PLM. Moreover, through its impressive attributes, NuORDER streamlines retail operations, allowing retailers to optimize inventory allocation, view unified catalogs, and work with teams across diverse brands and stores.
The company’s strong suit lies in its ability to facilitate data-driven decision-making, allowing error reduction, enhanced control, and better business outcomes. With the platform’s easy compatibility with chain stores, department stores, and online retailers, NuORDER renders solutions for diverse retail environments, increasing order efficiency and fine-tuning range plans across all stores and departments.
4.7 CS-Cart
CS-Cart is a leading e-commerce software that provides businesses with a self-hosted multivendor solution. Its open-source architecture allows retailers to customize and scale their e-commerce websites and caters to SMEs and enterprises. The solution has distinct features like payment dependencies and vendor-to-admin payments, which renders an excellent POS experience.
Furthermore, the company offers tools for automating tasks, handling marketplace workflows, optimizing order processing and product management, and simplifying seller onboarding, which boost sales and augment retail operations. The company also provides easy integration with over 70 payment gateways and diverse payment options, implements comprehensive security measures, and ensures compliance with industry standards like GDPR and PCI DSS.
4.8 AppDirect
Headquartered in San Francisco, AppDirect is a cutting-edge B2B subscription commerce platform provider that connects technology advisors, businesses, and providers to simplify retail processes associated with technology solutions. Correspondingly, the company aims to help enterprises collaborate successfully and gain high efficiency in the B2B technology sector.
Notably, AppDirect's software offers multiple features to retailers, including a custom cloud marketplace, advanced merchandising tools, fast checkouts with diverse payment options, industry-specific solutions, and a catalog of over 300 pre-integrated SaaS and IaaS providers, which ensure tailored online marketplaces for businesses for enhanced customer experience and strong brand presence.
4.9 Convictional
Recognized as a leading modern dropship platform provider, Convictional helps established retailers launch new dropship, cross-selling, and marketplace programs. With advanced tools for marketplace dominance, robust vendor management, and integration capabilities, it allows retailers to onboard and dropship with various brands, ensuring quicker assortment growth, limited onboarding time, and increased online sales.
Convictional further allows retailers to expand their product range quickly without manual efforts and ensure smart decisions through data-driven insights. The company’s software boasts impressive collaboration tools, encouraging transparency and establishing a win-win situation for retailers and suppliers. Its impressive attributes also include automated payouts with flexible payment options, making for smooth invoicing and greater customer convenience.
4.10 Mirakl
Founded in 2012, Mirakl is a leading technology partner promising digital growth to businesses worldwide through its innovative features. The company offers unmatched expertise and assistance to retailers through its comprehensive solutions for all operations, from implementation to development. With the ability to manage millions of API calls, SKUs, and stock updates, Mirakl promises retailers seamless digital business advancements and optimum profits.
The company further boasts an impressive retail media experience, enabling businesses to monetize their platforms through targeted advertising. From launching platform businesses to maximizing product ranges, Mirakl effectively empowers enterprises to enhance their digital presence through impressive marketplace and dropship solutions. It also renders tailored solutions to industry-specific retailers, including fashion, grocery, health and beauty, and so on.
5. Summing Up
Unified retail management promises B2B businesses the ability to outperform competitors in the market, serving as a driving force behind enhanced selling competencies. From ensuring excellent customer experiences to streamlining operations and enabling data-driven decision-making, the marketplace software platform for unified retail empowers businesses by increasing their efficiencies, reducing costs, and helping them meet their business goals. Importantly, with the retail sector quickly transforming, companies investing in unified retail management software firmly set themselves up for sustained growth and business excellence in the digital marketplace.
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