Getting started with epos system

Many business owners are not aware of what is required to get started with epos system and approach business change once you have set up and implement the solution. They don’t know how to get their business equipped and ready to take advantage of this technology.

We know the benefits of an EPOS system and now you need to understand what the next steps are going to bring this system to your business. It may sound great in theory but what precisely does it take in practice? We will guide you through the equipment that you need and how it fits together for your business. There are two major parts of an epos system namely hardware and software which combines to make a complete system.

Hardware – Fundamental Components

What parts are constituent of an epos system for a small business? The situation may be different but there are some key elements that have to be considered. The central component is the monitor and it will host the EPOS software and ensure that all the external hardware components communicate with each other.

As a business owner you would want a device to take the customer payment which is done by chip and pin terminals that allows you to take the payments. There are some small businesses which are opting to adopt a cashless credit card approach only. In some businesses if you want to accept real money then you needs to have a cash drawer. If you are accepting payments means you need a receipt printer device to complete the POS configuration.

It covers the entire basic requirement that you will need to start using an epos system in your small business. There are some more components such as barcode scanner in case you sell many products or internet connection if your business operates off-site. You may also consider a pre – defined bundle to get you started.

Software – Brain of EPOS

As EPOS solution is the software is the actual software that combines all the hardware components and allows the system to function. Choose a software solution that has both reliable and fits to your business needs. This is perhaps a hard decision to make, as there are many options that you can select from a number of suppliers with different features. Some key factors that should be considered before taking a decision.

·         Does the software understand the legal and tax system of the country you operate in?

·         How often are updates released?

·         Is support included?

·         What are the initial and ongoing costs?

·         What software integrations are available?

Once you have a clear idea about the system you decide to go for and then have a trial before you buy it. You may be offered with a demo or a free trial. Take the advantage before you select the software to power your EPOS system.

Approach – Making the most of EPOS technology

You may choose any of the EPOS software, technology has the potential to transform the way your business. An EPOS can make the payments to process easy, and can also use the system to help your business achieve consistent growth. There are many simpler and faster transaction processing with  the implementation of EPOS system into your business such as

·         Business Reporting (Inventory, Timesheets, End-of-Day)

·         Data-Driven Decision Making

·         Loyalty programs

·         Enhanced Customer Service

These are the most common though not universal features which make you think carefully about your vision for your business. Choose the appropriate hardware and software that aligns best with your ambitions. 

With the relentless online retail growth, explore how an EPOS solution can integrate with your marketing efforts. For example Mailchimp integration allows you to collect email addresses from offline customers and continue to communicate with them online.

First Steps To-wards an EPOS Powered Business

To get started with an EPOS system will depend on your specific business requirements. For example portability of your EPOS equipment is an important factor if your sale terminals often operate off-site. If you have a large online presence then a more important consideration is the software integrations. 

While selecting what EPOS software is best suited for you, weigh up which features your business needs right now and which are useful as your business grow. In long term which provider offers regular updates, support and low monthly costs?

EPOS technology is not just a customer facing technology your business can also make to digital back-office functions. As EPOS technology is adopted and is helping thousands of small businesses to grow. The above information which you have now, you can carefully choose your options when accessing which EPOS solution is best for your business.

Choose an epos system with the required components and within your budget that can help you to grow your business.