Technology Tip
Dave Pelland has extensive experience covering the business use of technology, networking and communications tools by companies of all sizes. Dave's editorial and corporate experience includes more than 10 years editing an electronic technology and communications industry newsletter for a global professional services firm.

Choosing a Mobile POS System for Your Small Business

Choosing a Mobile POS System for Your Small Business

One of the common post-pandemic changes adopted by small businesses is a growing reliance on mobile point of sale (POS) systems that help them improve customer service, increase flexibility, and reduce operating cost.

Retailers, restaurants, companies that provide services in the field, and other small businesses are finding mobile POS systems allow them to accept payments without being tied to a physical location or a cash register. This is offering more functionality beyond totaling orders and helping your staff make change.

In most cases, setting up a mobile based POS system is straightforward. Install an app on the devices you’ll be using, create an account, and you’re ready to go.

Mobile Transactions

While typically associated with field service professionals, such as plumbers, or mobile merchants such as food trucks or craft sale vendors, mobile POS systems can offer a number of benefits for small businesses with fixed locations.

For example, a retailer can accept payments outside of a traditional cash wrap counter. This enables your team to interact directly with customers and to accept payments without making the customer stand in line.

In a restaurant, a server can enter orders onto a tablet that sends the requested items directly to the kitchen staff, without the need to print duplicate orders or for the server to write down an order that they immediately reenter into a computer to notify the kitchen.

Customers can also pay for their meal directly at the table, saving them the time (and the potential security risk) of a server walking off with their payment card and returning with a receipt for them to sign.

In both situations, using a mobile POS system saves time and provide customers with a more convenient experience.

Making the Best Choice

Your specific POS needs will vary according to the type of business you operate and how many locations you have. However, switching to a mobile based POS systems offers a number of potential advantages to you and your customers alike.

Some features to consider include:

  • The equipment you’ll need. Most POS systems are based on a mobile tablet, smartphone, or dedicated wireless device that give you the flexibility to accept payments anywhere. If you wish, it’s easy to connect these devices to cash drawers, barcode scanners, or other peripherals.
  • Service fees. Cloud-based mobile POS systems are offered through subscriptions and/or transaction fees that can vary according to your sales volume. High-transaction merchants or restaurants, for instance, will receive volume discounts.
  • Inventory management. POS systems can track inventory levels and provide alerts (or place reorders) when popular products or ingredients are running low. If you have more than one location, your team can check inventory levels in the other locations to allow a customer to order from you instead of an online competitor.
  • Industry-focused solutions. A restaurant may benefit from dedicated food service system that includes menu management, a kitchen display, online ordering, contactless delivery, and other industry-specific features. Similarly, a field tech may need a rugged device that can withstand rough handling and exposure to the elements.
  • Reporting capabilities. By linking sales data with your accounting and customer management software, and your inventory systems, you can generate real-time reports that provide insights into your most popular items and categories, the busiest time of day, and other information that allows you make business decisions that are informed by data instead of gut instinct.

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