If your business has a physical location (like a storefront or office) you’ll need a POS terminal. This can be a desktop computer, laptop or mobile device like a tablet that runs POS software. You may also need a card reader, which allows customers to swipe, dip or tap their credit cards. Some POS systems also integrate with online payment platforms to offer additional payment options.
A POS system can help streamline processes for both your employees and your customers. A POS monitor usually connects with other devices through USB, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and includes a barcode scanner. POS systems can also integrate with other applications and services, like email marketing or accounting. This integration helps you run a more efficient and profitable business by sharing data between programs.
When a customer buys something in your store, the cashier will scan the items or enter them into the POS screen using the barcode scanner or keypad. If the purchase is for a service, the employee will select it from a menu on the POS software or manually input the price and description of the work being done. The POS system then calculates the subtotal and total cost, including taxes and shipping.
After the transaction is complete, the POS will communicate with the bank that issued the customer’s credit or debit card to ensure it’s approved for payment. Then, the customer can choose whether to receive a printed receipt or an emailed one. Some POS systems will even update inventory based on what has been sold to give managers a real-time view of their stock. pos device payments