• Simplicity and ease of use
• Availability – they must be operational at least 99.9% of trading hours
• Function – they must support the various nuances of a retailer’s operating needs
• Support – If something goes wrong, or a new need emerges, then responsiveness is critical

There are many, many other requirements that go to make up good POS systems.  But the key thing is to ensure that the business gets its supply of vital trading data.  Choke this, and management decisions will surely suffer. 

POS systems are typically used to:

• Collect sales transactional data
• Access inventory information (own and multi-store)
• Create and update Customer records
• Raise stock requests
• Transfer and Receive stock
• Daily, weekly performance report access

In the context of modern retail operations, the POS system is only one element of In-Store Systems.  Other In-store systems are:

• Staff Time & Attendance
• Staff Rostering and Workforce Management systems
• Stock Take systems
• Head Office Portal access to other head office and other web-based applications such as Email, Reports, Compliance (task management) capture, Catalogue access, etc
• Traffic counting
• Digital signage
• Shelf Labelling
• Kiosk systems
• Security systems
• Voice systems

Josem Consulting has deep practical knowledge and expertise in In-Store systems.  We have helped many retailers across various segments design, specify, select, and implement in-store systems across all of these areas.