What to Know Before You Buy!
What you need to know before you buy a POS system really boils down to one, basic question: What is included? Okay, it’s a little more complex than that, but that really is the gist of it. We’ve put together a list of questions you should know the answers to when purchasing a new POS system.
1. What hardware do I need?
You will need to determine how many workstations, tablets, cash drawers, printers, card readers, scanners, pole displays, routers, and/or modems you need. If you have a good idea of what you need, it will be much easier to find the right system for you. You’ll also want to make sure the POS system you buy is designed for your industry.
2. Is the software included?
POS software is generally licensed monthly or purchased outright. If the software is not licensed and has to be purchased outright, you will want to know up front how much more it is going to cost. Another consideration is if the software costs are per machine or per system.
3. Is training included?
You’re going to need training on your new POS hardware and software. If you have to pay an additional large sum just for the training, that can be a major influencing factor.
4. What kind of support is available?
Many companies have a reasonable monthly support fee. These fees often cover phone support, software licensing, and software upgrades. If you don’t have a monthly support fee structure, you’ll want to be aware of how much support calls cost.
If you do have a monthly support fee, it usually covers support phone calls during regular business hours. If your business has extended hours, or if you are in a different time zone from the provider, you’ll want to know how much emergency support costs.
5. Is financing available?
A POS system is a big investment. Going with a company that has available financing can make that investment much more attainable.
