Many businesses are moving into the cloud, and the retail sector is no exception. Many stores are switching from traditional tech to cloud-based tech, and this can be a great move for many reasons.
Here’s a look at cloud POS software along with some of its major benefits and how to start choosing the right solution for your business.
What Is Cloud POS Software?
Cloud POS software is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution, and you can run the whole system in the cloud. It allows you to use a device as simple as a tablet to keep track of all of your sales and data rather than keeping all the data stored on-site, and it streamlines the whole process of keeping track of your sales.
Why Use Cloud POS Software?
There are many good reasons to switch to a cloud POS solution, and one of the most important is the cost.
It is often very affordable to get started with these systems. With legacy POS systems, often they charge fees for the hardware and software as well as maintenance fees, upgrades, and more. You might also need to train your staff.
A cloud-based model has low upfront fees, and the monthly costs are often competitive. There is no need to worry about updates, you can cancel at any time, and you just need a computer, a tablet, a card reader, and an internet connection.
A cloud POS solution also provides you with greater flexibility because you can install it and run it on a tablet. With some systems, you can also take credit card payments in your store or restaurant, and you can then email the receipts to the customers directly.
One of the great things about these systems is that you can manage them from anywhere, like with the KORONA POS system. With this, the back office is cloud-based, and it uploads all the POS system sales in an instant when connected to the internet so you can access it anywhere and see all the reports when you want.
It can also take the hassle out of things like managing your promotions and short-term offers. You can keep track of all the details and the different promotions you are running at the same time, and you can then work out which promotions are the most successful.
You also don’t have to worry about technical problems. Traditional POS systems can be affected by system crashes and other problems, and your IT staff need to fix these, which is frustrating and takes time. When all your data is in the cloud, there is no need to worry about the amount of storage space you have, and it also has a high level of security.
How to Get Started with Cloud-Based POS
With all of these benefits and more, it’s often an easy decision for businesses to choose a cloud-based POS system over a traditional system. But how should you get started?
The first thing to do is research the solutions on the market and find one that looks like a good fit for your business. The products available vary greatly, and you can find everything from very basic systems to much more comprehensive solutions.
You have to decide which features will be useful for your business. You don’t want to pay more than you need to for features that you won’t use. But you don’t want to choose something too basic either because it won’t provide you with all the features that will be so useful for your business.
Once you have a good idea of the type of product you need, search for companies that have a good reputation. You want to choose a reliable and established company that offers the solutions you need. Changing providers can be a hassle, so you want to get this decision right the first time.
Also read reviews from previous customers. Find out about the positive and negative experiences they have had, and use these to help you make your decision.
Finally, call up a few of the companies that look interesting and speak to them in person. You’ll get a good idea of how helpful they are likely to be once you are a customer by finding out how they treat you at this early stage.
Take Advantage of the Cloud Today
The cloud has so many benefits for businesses of all sizes, and POS cloud software is one of the best ways that you can start using it if you run a store or restaurant. So start looking at the options available to your business, and enjoy all of the benefits of moving your POS system into the cloud.
Author
Till Freier, CEO of COMBASE USA, has more than 10 years of experience in creating and delivering software solutions for retail businesses. In 2011 COMBASE started a new era for point of sale solutions with the release of KORONA.pos Cloud. The innovative concept of a cloud-based back office took away the pain for retailers with multiple locations and allowed small business owners to check on their business from anywhere.
