Point-of-sale (POS) systems are the technological backbone of restaurants, retail stores, and other client-facing businesses. The right POS system will make it easier to keep track of sales and customer data, increase employee productivity and satisfaction, and improve customer service. Since the technology is constantly changing, even the best POS system will be out of date within a few years.
Business owners often assume that they can save money by sticking it out with aging technology until it begins to break down, but that's a mistake. Waiting for too long to upgrade a POS system can cause them to lose money. Instead of waiting until the situation becomes critical, read on to find out about five reasons it may be time to consider an upgrade as soon as possible.
Software and Hardware Improvements
Store and restaurant owners can't just update the software on older POS systems and expect them to perform as well as newer models. When newer software is installed on older systems, they begin to bog down when performing even basic tasks and can even freeze at inopportune times.
This doesn't happen because the software and hardware weren't designed well, to begin with, but because today's retail technologies are substantially more advanced than those of yesteryear. They require more processing power and memory than older machines can support.
Software developers are aware of this problem, but there's little they can do about it. Continuing to improve POS software requires making changes that create incompatibilities with older hardware. The only solution is to upgrade older POS systems when they can no longer support new software and updates.
Why Can't Business Owners Just Stick With What Works?
Some business owners may be wondering why they can't just stick with what works. Older software programs can create unnecessary hassles, though. They aren't as user-friendly, they take longer to complete tasks, and they can create embarrassing processing delays.
As fewer businesses use old software programs, they also get end-of-lifed. When this happens, the developers no longer put out updates and security patches. End-of-lifed software may still work, but continuing to use it will expose the company's networks to cybersecurity attacks.
Other Benefits of Hardware Upgrades
The ability to run modern software programs isn't the only thing that makes new POS systems a good investment. Purchasing new hardware can also help to free up valuable counter space, make it easier for employees to do their jobs, and improve the overall appearance of the store or restaurant's registers. The POS systems produced by Clientron are compact, aesthetically appealing, and easy to use. They also feature better support for advanced peripherals.
Better Customer Service
Modern consumers expect more when it comes to customer service. They expect personalized attention from employees, plentiful payment options, and targeted marketing that focuses on their unique needs. A modern POS system will help business owners deliver.
Increased Efficiency and Convenience
New POS technologies are far more feature-rich than their predecessors. They work faster so that customers don't have to wait in long lines, are easy enough for cashiers to use that they can take the time to address their customers one-on-one, support peripheral customer displays, and offer mobile wallet payment support.
Software Integration
Modern POS systems can also be used to integrate data analysis and customer sales. This makes it easy for companies to keep track of valuable customer data, offer promotions, and create effective marketing campaigns that target primary buyers.
Self-Service Kiosks
Not long ago, self-service kiosks could only be found in specialized stores. Today, they've become popular across a wide variety of industries. Fast-food restaurants use them to free up employees' time so they can focus on quickly producing delicious meals. Grocery stores use them to reduce the need for personnel at the cash registers. Even gas stations often use self-service kiosks now, especially if they also offer food preparation.
Self-service kiosks offer an unprecedented level of customer service. Clientron's systems feature 10-point touch screens, so they're easy to use, and allow customers to choose the options that best fit their needs actively and independently. They're especially useful for restaurants and boutique businesses that offer customized consumer goods. However, just about any business can benefit from installing self-service kiosks since they free up employees' time for other forms of customer service, like helping people find items and discussing options.
Enhanced Security
Total integration and connectivity is somewhat of a double-edged sword. Attempting to implement modern marketing and data analysis solutions using aging equipment just isn't safe. Older POS systems that don't feature robust cybersecurity measures leave companies at risk of data breaches and other forms of cybercrime.
Hackers and other cybercriminals are smart. They know that older POS systems have more vulnerabilities, so they often target businesses that use out-of-date equipment. When successful, these cyberattacks can severely damage companies' reputations and cost them a small fortune in legal fees and remediation measures.
New POS systems feature robust security measures to protect consumer and company data. They may include features designed to keep data secure when customers use credit or debit cards, advanced protocols for protecting data transmitted across internal networks, and the ability to integrate strong antiviral and anti-malware programs.
The cumulative result of these improved security measures extends beyond just decreasing the risk of cyberattacks. Customers who know their data is protected report higher levels of trust and brand loyalty. They'll also be more likely to recommend the company's products to their friends and family members, helping to attract even more business.
Increased Convenience for Employees
Customers and business owners aren't the only ones who benefit from upgrading POS systems. New POS systems make it easier to manage business operations and improve customer service, but they also save cashiers time and a lot of hassles. This increases the amount of time employees can devote to customer interactions and makes it easier for them to do their jobs efficiently.
Modern POS systems are reliable, which means employees won't have to deal with freezes and slow loading times. Constantly having to reboot POS systems wastes a lot of time and leaves customers waiting in seemingly interminable lines. It also leaves employees frustrated and increases the amount of effort they must put into both serving customers and ensuring that they are happy with their in-store experiences.
Specialized Options for Different Industries
When choosing a POS system, it's important for business owners to consider their employees' daily needs. A cashier who stays in one place and only handles customer check-outs will benefit more from an all-in-one POS system that includes everything from additional customer displays to integrated thermal printers.
An employee who needs to balance POS interactions with checking inventory or scanning large goods may need a system with a removable terminal. A restaurant worker who regularly rings up customers' drinks can benefit from a waterproof screen. Clientron offers plenty of options so that business owners can find the perfect solutions to meet their employees' unique needs.
Save Space and Energy
Most modern POS systems come with full cloud integration. This allows business owners to reduce the need for on-site data storage. Switching to cloud-based storage and services also reduces companies' monthly energy bills, since they don’t have to maintain on-site server banks.
Save Space at the Checkout Counter
Business owners with small counters can also benefit from the smaller footprint associated with most modern hardware and the reduced need for extensive wiring. This has the added benefit of improving the aesthetics of the check-out counter and freeing up extra space for merchandise.
Reduce Costs
Modern POS systems of all sizes are designed with energy efficiency in mind. They feature energy-efficient processors and fan-free operation, and leverage the power of technology to reduce utility bills. Incorporating cloud-based services like online receipts can further reduce companies' ecological footprints and monthly bills, too.
The POS systems produced by Clientron are also manufactured using durable materials, which increases the expected lifespan of the equipment. Although business owners should still expect to need periodic hardware and software updates, they won't have to worry about the premature system failures that so often result from poorly designed or poorly manufactured equipment.
The Bottom Line
Today's POS systems are smaller, better designed, more durable, and more energy-efficient than their predecessors. They have faster processors, more memory, and a higher level of integration with a wide variety of peripherals, including thermal printers, added monitors, customer displays, cash drawers, and more.
It may be tempting for business owners to put off upgrades until something goes dramatically wrong with their current POS systems. This mistake costs companies money every year by creating unnecessary downtime, reducing employee productivity and customer satisfaction, and leaving businesses vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Thankfully, Clientron offers a wide variety of thoroughly modern, yet affordable, solutions. They've been leading the retail technology sector for years, which has given them time to develop unique solutions to contemporary problems. Check out their full product line, learn about their business model and values, or find out how to get in touch with a dedicated company representative online today.
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