There are many Point-of-Sales (POS) systems on the market, which can make it overwhelming to decide on the right one. Here are some factors to consider when focusing your search.
- Software features
- Security
- Integration & Scalability
- Reviews and Reputation
- Customer Support
- Ongoing payments
- Free Trial & Employee Feedback
- Training Resources
- Ease of Use
Whether your glass business requires software that recognizes glass types or cutting specifications, the best POS system for your company is just one click away.
1.) Features
What are some key software features that your glass business requires? If you need more clarification, it might be helpful to jot down elements you would like to find in future software. There will likely be one that fulfills all of your needs. Here are some features to get you started:
- Glass types
- Glass designs
- Inventory tracking
- Appointments
- Billing
- Order management
- Sales data
- Cutting specifications
- Customer history
- Customizations
2.) Security
Any system that handles sensitive information should come with security measures installed. Customer trust is integral to business operations and, once lost, could impact the business’s reputation moving forward. That’s why the best POS system for retail should include anti-virus software, end-to-end encryption, and avoid outside network connections if possible.
3.) Integration and Scalability
Is the new POS system compatible with your existing systems and hardware (i.e., accounting, CRM, design tools, etc.)? Or will you need to overhaul your current systems to accommodate it? Compatibility might be a minor factor if your glass business wants to start fresh.
However, if seamless integration of systems is important, only look at POS systems that cooperate with your existing ones. In this case, consider the best POS for retail that can adapt to your specific needs. Also, ponder whether this new POS system will be able to accommodate the growth of your glass business.
Your business offers only a handful of services, but in 5 to 10 years, that could change. It’s beneficial to be prepared and have a POS system that will be able to incorporate new locations, tools, or services.
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4. Reviews and Reputation
Once you have a POS system in mind, dive into user reviews, and don’t shy away from negative feedback. Knowledge is power and will help you narrow down your choices even more. Use your resources and ask other glass retailers about their experience with the POS system.
5. Customer Support
Learning new software can be time-consuming and frustrating, but good customer support should make the process easier. Check with the POS system that you’re considering whether they have 24/7 support or even an extension available for your glass business where you work with them.
6. Ongoing Fees
Will you be able to afford the POS system’s fees? Are there varying packages? The best POS system for a big business might not be feasible, or the best POS system for a small business.
After analyzing company expenses, set aside a budget for the desired system and consider whether that number is realistic.
7. Free Trial & Employee Feedback
If you’re on the fence about a POS system, query a representative for a free trial; most will offer 14 to 30 days of free use before making a purchasing decision. That gives you enough time to encourage employee feedback and see what features do or don’t work for your business.
8. Training Resources
While in the free trial, take advantage of available training resources. You might learn to utilize a feature that could positively affect the trajectory of your glass business.
9. Ease of Use
Ease of use is critical when choosing the best POS for retail. While comprehensive training resources can make any system more user-friendly, they will only partially compensate for a system inherently plagued by glitches, bugs, or tedious features. In essence, no amount of training can make a difficult-to-use system easy, so choosing a POS that’s intuitive from the get-go is essential.
The Best POS System
IBS Software was designed as a solution to common POS system problems. As auto glass professionals, IBS Software knows what features are necessary for glass making. With their system, you can control operations and sales and manage them from multiple locations, all while experiencing high-quality customer support. Their website says, “Get your customers what they need in seconds.