What is a POS system? Everything you need to know
What is a POS?
POS stands for ‘point of sale’. It’s that moment in business when a transaction is completed. A Point of Sale (POS) system is a combination of hardware and software that allows you to do more than just complete a transaction.
Having a POS system helps you manage all your business processes from one place, such as accepting payments, tracking inventory and keeping on top of your finances. With all your important data together, POS systems give you full control of your business.
How do POS systems benefit your business?
When it comes to integrating a POS system with your business, there are tons of advantages. Having the tools to manage payments, employees, and tracking with ease means having more time to dedicate to your customers and growing your business.
We’ve come a long way since old-school cash registers, where we were limited to accepting cash payments and printing receipts. Now, modern POS systems act as a complete sales solution, with easy-to-use technology that accepts all kinds of payment methods. So, how exactly can a POS system elevate your business?
Accept all payment methods
The way we pay is always evolving, so it’s important that as a business you accept all types of payment methods. Cashless payments are the new norm, and a good POS system allows you to have a variety of payment options such as integrated card readers, invoices, vouchers, QR codes and more. Offering such a wide range of payment options makes your business accessible to a wider customer base, including tourists and international visitors.
Keep your store well stocked
Keeping track of your inventory is an essential step in running a successful business. Running out of stock mid-sale isn’t ideal for you or your customer, so POS systems can keep track of stock in real-time to make sure you’re always clued in. You can also create and update your very own product catalogue, with pictures and product descriptions to speed up and simplify your checkout process for everyone.
Develop better sales strategies
Modern POS systems can track your daily sales and turn that data into easy-to-follow reports, giving you insights into the trends of your business. Valuable info such as your most popular products and your busiest periods can be used to increase sales and serve your customers in the best way possible.
Manage your team with ease
Managing your own team can be tricky if you don't have the right tools. Using a POS system can help track the performance of your employees, as well as provide them with a practical and stress-free system to work with. Keep a record of working hours, total sales, targets reached and more to help you make the most out of your business. You can also add user profiles with specific access to make sure your team can work smoothly together.
Connect with your customers
Customers are the backbone of your business, so it's important to make that extra effort to build strong and long-lasting relationships with them.
Use your POS system to track customer data such as purchase history, preferred payment method, and personal information. These insights can then be used to develop marketing strategies such as making product suggestions, designing special promotions or building loyalty programmes for your regular customers.
Keep on top of finances
Keeping on top of your finances can be tedious and complicated, but getting your hands on a modern POS system can be a huge help when tracking business revenue. Your system can take care of recording daily transactions and cash flow, providing ready-to-use reports. This eliminates several manual tasks and frees up your time to focus on the more exciting stuff.
Get dedicated support
Choosing the right POS system for you also comes with choosing the right provider. Providers like SumUp offer a dedicated support team who are easily reachable and can guide you through any issues or queries you have regarding your new system.
SumUp POS
We at SumUp offer our very own POS system that goes hand in hand with our card readers. You can manage your entire business with one POS system and accept all types of payments with the SumUp device of your choice. Our Support Centre and Customer Support team are always on hand to make your SumUp experience as smooth as possible.
Gastronomy: Create different menus, always keep an eye on your tables and their status and forward additional information to the kitchen.
Retail: Sell in-store or on the go, analyse your sales and sales trends and strengthen your relationships with customers.
Services: Offer your customers a reliable service, accept all types of payments and manage your employees with ease.
Our POS system is all about simplicity:
Select product or service and payment method.
Accept payment, issue receipt.
Sales are stored in the cloud.
Get data reports at the end of the day.
Our POS partners
SumUp’s range of payment solutions can be integrated with the best POS systems out there, offering retail and gastronomy businesses a winning combination of easy-to-use tools to make sales and accept payments. Here are some of our partners situated in the DACH region who have got SumUp on board with their POS products. All of our partner’s POS systems comply with KassenSichV and the requirements of local tax authorities, as well as offer customer support to their users.
Lightspeed
Lightspeed pride their POS system on simplicity, and the convenience of having everything you need in one place. Their till system caters for restaurants, hotels, cafes and fine dining, so is an all-rounder when it comes to hospitality. Use the SumUp Air Card Reader to process cashless payments easily with Lightspeed’s POS system.
Cloud-based software on easy-to-use hardware: Keep all your data safe and secure.
Offline mode: Protect against internet connection interruptions so you don’t lose data.
Mobile orders: Take orders with your iPhone, iPad or iPod and make contactless payments with SumUp Card Readers.
Simple layout: Manage branches, employees and customer information all on your Lightspeed POS dashboard.
Hassle-free payment: Split the bill and open tabs easily for guests.
Grow your business: Connect to delivery apps like UberEats and Deliveroo from your POS system.
Ready2order
With ready2order, you can choose between using their modern POS terminal or their easy-to-use software to turn your mobile device into a fully functioning cash register for your retail or gastronomy business. Enjoy one great POS system made for all platforms. Ready2order POS works hand in hand with the SumUp Air Card Reader.
Easily manage products: Use the barcode scanner or quickly add new items.
Real-time data: Get instant sales reports and optimise your business accordingly.
Simple inventory management: Have a clear overview of current stock.
Go mobile: Log in via iOS, Android, Mac and Windows.
Practical dashboard: Get an overview of every table and every order.
Multi-user: Several employees can use the system at the same time.
helloCash
Download the helloCash app and log into your POS system via your phone, tablet or PC. This POS system focuses on relieving you of as many day-to-day tasks as possible, with the help of clever functionality and a simple layout. You can pair the helloCash app with your SumUp Air Card Reader and take payments in a few clicks.
Merchandise management: Always have an instant overview of your inventory on the helloCash dashboard.
Reward customer loyalty: Keep track of customer purchases and manage vouchers all in one place.
Never lose data: Keep your data synced between all the devices you use to access your POS system.
Invoice library: Search and find past invoices in a few clicks.
Send receipts: Easily send paperless receipts via email or WhatsApp.
JTL POS
The JTL-POS system is available for retail businesses via the free Android app and can be downloaded onto your Android smartphone or tablet. JTL-POS can be paired with all SumUp Card Readers. You can read more about our partnership here.
Offline mode: Access your POS system both online and offline.
Choose your hardware and connect to your preferred receipt printer, scanner or cash drawer.
E-commerce ready: Connect to marketplaces like Amazon and eBay via JTL-Wawi, JTL’s merchandise management system.
Create your own online store via JTL-Wawi and sell your products.
Make sales securely: Manage employee rights and access and protect privacy with an automatic log-out safety feature.
Shore
Shore offers an all-in-one POS software that can be used with an iPad. With a clever combo of easy setup, digital accounting and inventory intelligence, Shore POS is a great multitasker when it comes to your retail or hair and beauty business. Your iPad and Shore software can be easily paired with your SumUp Air Card Reader.
Digital receipts: Send invoices and receipts by email or QR code.
Digital cash book: Automate your accounting and backup data in the cloud.
Live reporting: to keep track of sales and employee performance.
DATEV interface: Export your data to easily complete tax returns.
Cancellations and refunds: Make returns and exchanges simple with a dedicated feature.
Hardware bundles: Personalise your setup with iPads and stands, printers, cash drawers, barcode scanners and receipt printers.
Want to work with SumUp?
We want our customers to have full control in uncertain times, so there’s no minimum term or binding contracts when it comes to joining SumUp. Do you think we’re a fit for your business? Get in touch with our Sales team for more info and a custom offer via the form below.
