Point of sale (POS) systems are a must-have tool, especially if you want to get business done more efficiently. If you’re using a cashier-register style system, you’ve likely got a product that you use for automating inventory management while also streamlining other business operations like marketing and employee management.
But what if you could invest in a system that’s entirely mobile? Mobile point of sales systems are more popular than ever and require a lot less hardware than a traditional POS system. If you’re interested in going mobile, there are things you’ll want to know before you buy.
Here are 5 factors to consider.
Table of Contents
1. Be Sure it Offers Core Features & Functionality That Your Business Needs
Not all mobile POS systems are built the same. One of the first factors that you’ll want to consider when choosing a mobile POS system is the features that are available. Ideally, you want to choose a system with POS software that offers all of the bells and whistles that your business needs.
In order to find the right mobile POS system for your business, you’ll want to research which features are available and determine which ones offer the most in streamlining your business operations.
For example, if you run a retail business, you want a POS system that offers inventory management with access to real-time inventory data. Or, if you own a restaurant, you’ll want to choose a system that offers table management and reservation features.
To get an idea of features what will most benefit your company, research POS systems designed specifically for your industry.
2. Works Across Many Mobile Platforms
You don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on a system that only works on a single mobile platform. To get the most out of a mobile POS system, you want to choose one that offers true mobility.
A mobile system is one that can be installed on tablets, mobile phones, and other pieces of hardware. The more platforms that are supported by the system, the better!
So which platforms should the mobile POS system support? Top platforms that you’ll want to ensure are supported include:
- iOS
- Windows
- Android
By choosing a POS system that is truly mobile, you’ll never be limited as to which devices you can connect. This keeps the system scalable, ensuring it will serve you now and for many years to come.
3. Accepted Payment Options
EMV chip debit and credit cards are becoming more and more common. Before investing in a mobile POS system, you want to ensure that the one you choose accepts this form of payment. The traditional method of swiping a credit card is becoming more and more obsolete, so you’ll want to choose a system that allows for chip cards to be inserted into the pin pad.
By choosing a POS system that accepts EMV chip cards, you can ensure that customers can always pay in a method that’s convenient and secure for them.
It’s also important to choose a system that accepts near field communication (NFC) payments. Payment options such as Google Wallet and Apple Pay are extremely quick. This is a feature that will greatly speed up transaction times and minimize wait times at your business location.
4. Data Management
The fact is that we live in a data-driven world. If you want to successfully track and engage with your customers, you’ll want to have the right tools on hand that allow you to collect, manage, and track customer data. The more you know and learn about your customers, the better.
With a mobile POS system that offers data management features, you can track things such as:
- How often a customer visits your business
- What items they purchase
- How customers spend on average
Knowing this information about each of your customers gives you valuable insight into their relationship with your brand. This data also enables you to create buyer personas, which allows you to create more personalized experiences and marketing for consumers.
5. Costs
Last but definitely not least, you’ll want to consider the upfront and monthly costs to maintain the system. The good news is that unlike traditional POS systems, mobile systems tend to require much less hardware. Because POS systems are designed to run on tablets, phones, and other mobile devices, hardware costs are likely to be much lower.
Other costs to factor into your budget include software, payment processing costs, and support costs.
Conclusion
Selecting a mobile POS system isn’t a decision to make lightly. This is a system that will serve you for years and years to come. By considering the five factors above, you can choose the right mobile POS system that will benefit you, your employees, and most importantly, your customers.
About Carson Derrow
