Types Of POS Systems: Features, Pros & Cons

Handheld POS systems are portable devices that allow your staff to process payments on the go. They are perfect for situations where payments must be processed away from the cash register. Some use cases include on-field sales and large retail stores where customers may want to avoid walking up to the cash counter. It can reduce long lines and queues and offer table payments where necessary. Many retailers also use handheld POS systems at pop-up shops and fairs.

Key features

• A portable solution to process payments
• It can be customized to suit various business use cases
• Perfect for sales staff who work in the field
• Helps record transactions digitally

Pros

• Seamlessly completes orders and sales
• Offers customers the convenience of paying where they are
• Eliminates the need to walk to the cash register

Cons

• Requires internet or cellular connectivity for payments to go through
• Printing receipts depends on the availability of stationery.

What is it used for?

Handheld POS systems are widely used in the retail industry. They are often seen at events and large retail stores. They help eliminate the need to walk up to a cash register to process payments. They offer the convenience of processing payments anytime, anywhere.

A smartphone POS system is a dedicated POS app installed on cell phones. These POS applications convert cell phones into modern, advanced POS systems that anybody can use anywhere. As most smartphones are equipped with cameras, they can also read QR codes, help customers make purchases quickly, and allow for the uploading of product catalogs.

Key features

• Mobile-enabled payment processing
• Access to customer data
• Ability to implement loyalty programs
• Retrieve historical information to provide better customer service
• Implement an omnichannel shopping experience

Pros

• Mobile POS systems are affordable and easy to use
• Smart BYOD policies will ensure the safety and security of customer data
• Eliminates the need to invest in new hardware
• Available on subscription and per-transaction-fee models

What is it used for?

Smartphone POS systems have multiple benefits for retail and are used across industry verticals to process payments seamlessly without investing in specialized hardware. They allow staff to process payments and fulfill orders right from the comfort of their smartphones. It also helps companies implement an omnichannel shopping strategy.

Tablets are mobile devices with larger screens. This gives retailers an advantage over cell phones as checkouts, collection of customer feedback, tip requests, etc., become easier. Tablet POS systems can be customized and configured more than cellphone POS systems. You can also use it as a desktop POS system by placing it next to the cash register.

Key features

• Performs just like a smartphone POS system with added benefits
• It can scan barcodes and double up as desktop POS systems
• Helps collect customer feedback, request for tips, etc.
  Easily customizable and applicable in a variety of retail situations

Pros

Tablets have a larger screen and allow for more functionalities
It is more straightforward to implement sales and marketing campaigns right from the POS
Perfect for both in-store and on-the-field retail situations.
Available for both iOS and Android tablets

Cons

• Tablets require additional investment as employees may not readily have tablets.
• It tends to be more expensive than when hardware is accounted for.
• Some employees may find it hard to type on tablets.

What is it used for?

Tablet POS systems are used to fulfill orders and ensure smooth checkouts. They offer the mobility and convenience of cell phones with extra functionalities. They’re perfect for weaving in loyalty management, cross-selling and upselling, and collecting customer feedback at the end of the checkout.

Customers sometimes prefer completing the checkout process, especially at large stores with long queues. Self-service Kiosk POS systems have an interface allowing customers to enter information and complete checkout. They can also scan barcodes and complete checkout quickly and easily. A self-service kiosk POS can be deployed on tablets and dedicated POS interfaces.

Key features

• Customers can enter the necessary details independently and complete the checkout process.
• Offers a quicker and easier alternative to retailers
• Multiple functions can be interacted with as per requirements

Pros

• Eliminates long lines at the cash register
• Customers can take the initiative to complete the payment process
• Helps increase sales by reducing the checkout time
• Offers convenience and diversity of features

Cons

• Every customer may not be comfortable with self-checkout
• Removes the human element from the shopping experience
• Some customers may need assistance, negating the initial purpose of self-service POS
• Devices may fail, necessitating repairs.

What is it used for?

A Self-Service Kiosk POS is a self-checkout solution that allows customers to complete the checkout process independently. They can quickly scan products, make payments, and collect receipts without human intervention. It can be creatively implemented in several retail situations.

A multichannel POS system integrates e-commerce websites and cash registers at brick-and-mortar stores. Customers can purchase your products both online and offline. Although a multichannel POS system reaches out to customers on different channels, such as online stores, physical stores, and mobile apps, from a single interface, it treats them as separate sales avenues. As a result, data remains siloed, and customer experience will be inconsistent. For example, customers’ online purchases cannot be returned at the retail store’s POS and vice versa. Promotions and inventory levels may differ between channels, reducing customer satisfaction and causing confusion.

Key features

• Integrates online and offline shopping channels
• Helps retailers to process payments across channels
• Stores data in a single repository
• Allows retailers to generate valuable reports and make forecasts.

Pros

• You can tap into both online and offline sales traffic
• Offer customers multiple touchpoints on which they can shop
• Consolidate customer and payment data on a single repository
• Integrate your sales and marketing across touchpoints

Cons

• It results in a siloed customer experience
• Staff will not have access to customer interactions on different touchpoints
• It does not support a streamlined customer journey between various touchpoints

What is it used for?

Multichannel POS systems are used to provide payment solutions to merchants who sell on both online and offline platforms. It allows retailers to collect payments on e-commerce websites and at brick-and-mortar stores while being able to view data on a single interface. However, one must remember that data is synced in real-time across touchpoints, leading to a siloed experience.

An omnichannel POS allows retailers to maintain a consistent experience across touchpoints for customers and staff. As customers seek convenience and a seamless shopping experience, an omnichannel model helps retailers be where the customer is. All data is managed centrally , and regardless of the touchpoint on which the customer arrives, customers can start from where they left off. On the other hand, your staff can provide a consistent shopping experience to customers in real-time across touchpoints such as social media, email, brick-and-mortar stores, etc.

Key features

• A single source of truth that’s updated in real-time
• Central management of promotions, inventory, and loyalty program
• Access to historical data and previous interactions
• Allows consistent experience regardless of the touchpoint on which the customer makes a purchase.
• There are fewer abandoned carts thanks to seamless integration between different channels.

Pros

• Retailers can offer customers a seamless shopping experience across touchpoints.
• Customer service and marketing campaigns can be calculated in real-time for all touchpoints, no matter which one.
• Ensure seamless inventory management across touchpoints.

Cons

• There are no real cons to using an omnichannel POS. It helps your business grow and enhances customer satisfaction.

What is it used for?

Omnichannel POS delivers a seamless shopping experience to customers and error-free and accurate marketing and sales operations for retailers. It also helps manage inventory better, clear stock, and implement loyalty programs, discounts, and promotional offers.