Tills can do far more than just ring up sales.
POS systems need modern POS software that covers all till functions and much more, and that operators can use with ease. A modern POS system handles not only article scanning, promotions and customer cards, but also every payment method — including mixed payments. On top of that come merchandise management functions at the till, such as goods receipt, stock corrections, store-to-store transfers and stocktaking.
Real-time POS system — offline-capable?
All functions must be available instantly, all data must be up to date, all receipts must be posted to the server immediately — everything must run in real time, so that even the end-of-day closing can ultimately be automated. Real-time systems are often confused with online systems. Online POS systems are generally not offline-capable. A true POS system, however, must also be able to work without a server. Thanks to its own local databases, it can perform most functions offline. As soon as the network connection is restored, the till goes back online.
The POS system and financial accounting
The POS system generates documents for accounting. Cash receipts usually flow into financial accounting as consolidated summary postings. A purchase on account creates a receivables document at the till, which must be transferred in full to accounts receivable for follow-up. Goods receipts generate documents for accounts payable. In addition, there are postings for the till float, cash lifts, safe balances and movements, and for all other expenses that can be booked through the POS system. In short: a till needs a chart of accounts — then it can post. Fiscalisation enables the till to operate in line with the regulations of the tax authorities in each country.
Store stock on the POS system – the till as an information system
The POS system is at the same time an information system on which, alongside all article data, stock levels of your own store and nearby stores can be viewed and used. If an article is missing in a particular size or colour, it can be sourced from another store via a store-to-store transfer. When articles are sold, stock levels must be updated in real time so that replenishment or supplier orders can be triggered optimally.
The POS system for internal settlement
POS systems can be used to record employees’ working hours. For this, the till is equipped with a badge or fingerprint reader, or the operator identifies with a code. Sales and revenue are also booked per salesperson or operator. These postings make it possible to calculate commissions or settle a bonus as commission.
Mobile POS systems
The POS software can also run as an app on mobile devices such as smartphones or dedicated mobile POS hardware. Either a scanner or the camera is used to capture barcodes optically. Professional mobile POS systems are developed natively for their platform – Apple iOS for iPad or iPhone, Android for Samsung, Huawei and others, and Microsoft Windows – to guarantee the best performance and stability. Online systems based on browser apps running as HTML and JavaScript web pages are unsuitable as POS apps: their behaviour and handling are not what users expect, and frequent operating errors are the result.
Self-checkout and self-scanning POS systems
POS software for self-checkout systems differs mainly in its user interface and user guidance, but hardly at all in its functions, calculations and control of connected devices. A self-checkout till therefore uses the same software building blocks as an attended till. The POS system can be switched between attended mode and self-scanning mode using control codes or a control key.