Point Of Sale Systems Buyers Guide
Basic considerations for efficient point of sale systems
Anticipated customer traffic volumes during peak and non peak trading times ,number of products being purchase per customer, customer check out layout or counter layout, and type and size of products being retailed or services being provided and store trading type e.g. (Self Service, Over The Counter or a Combination of Self Service and Over the Counter) have a direct influence on hardware and software requirements for efficient of point of sale systems.
Barcode Scanning Overview and its Advantages
Barcode scanning has been used in every retail environment at the Point Of Sale for the past 15 years in South Africa except for restaurants where this technology is not viable. All producers and manufacturers of Fast Moving Consumer Goods are mandated to merchandise their products with a unique barcode. If a product is to be sold Nationally throughout South Africa and distributed through the retail chain then barcode number needs to be obtained and registered from SA Barcodes this ensures that the barcodes are unique to the product and their are no duplicates throughout the retail chain. If a barcode is to be used in store only then it can be generated and printed in store. This technology was first adopted by the larger chain retailers in South Africa ( Checkers , Pick n Pay etc) and currently no product will be stocked in their stores if it is not merchandised with a barcode on the product label.
The current barcode symbology being used in South Africa throughout the national retail chain for individual product barcodes is the EAN 13 digit barcode and EAN 8 digit barcode (European Automatic Numbering System) and Interleaved 2 of 5 which is normally a 14 digit barcode for outer case or box barcodes and these are the types of barcodes that will be issued through SA Barcodes.Barcodes generated for in store use can be of any barcode symbology as long as it can be read by the barcode scanner and registered on the Point Of Sale. Common in house symbologies are Code 128 and Code 39. EAN 13,EAN 8 and interleaved 2 of 5 are strictly numerical barcodes( Numbers Only) where Code 39 and Code 128 can be numeric or alpha numeric( Numbers Only or Numbers and Letters) .
Advantages Of Barcode Scanning
1.Very accurate and fast registration of a product on the point of sale.
2.Provides security at the point of sale.
3.Allows for easy indexing and inventory level management
4.Provides accurate inventory sales reporting and inventory movement reporting throughout the retail value chain.
Hardware considerations for efficient Point Of Sale
Touch Screen Point of Sale Systems Versus Non Touch Point Of Sale Systems.
Touch screen point of sale systems are usually an all in one system where the computer and touch screen are combined into 1 unit known as an All in One (AIO) this allows for a smaller hardware footprint and less cabling. In certain industries such as hospitality and restaurants touch screen point of sale terminals are a pre-requisite as barcode scanning is not used and a Non Touch Point of Sale is not an option. Touch Screen Point of Sale systems usually consist of an All in One touch screen terminal, receipt printer, cash drawer and barcode scanner if required.
Non Touch Point of Sale Systems usually consists of a computer, LCD monitor customer display, barcode scanner, receipt printer and cash drawer. Keyboard point of sale systems are used in general retailers however their has been a tendency in South Africa where larger retailers are implementing AIO Touch Screen Terminals to reduce the footprint of the point of sale on the counter. For small or medium size retail outlets where barcode scanning is being used a Non Touch Point of Sale is usually more than sufficient and cheaper to purchase and maintain over the ownership period.
Barcode Scanners
Handheld laser barcode scanners are cheap to purchase and replace and work well in low to medium customer and product traffic environments. Handheld barcode scanners are suitable for General retail stores such as hardware stores, clothing stores and liquor stores.
Presentation or omni directional barcode scanners are suitable for medium to high customer traffic environments where small to medium size products being retailed can be presented or passed by the barcode scanner. This allows a faster customer checkout and process time as the barcode scanner does not have to be aimed directly at the barcode label for product registration on the point of sale system. This can save up 2-5 seconds per product being registered compared to a hand held barcode scanner where the operator or cashier must pick up the product aim the barcode scanner at the barcode label, press the trigger on the barcode scanner to register the sale on the point of sale system, put down the product and repeat the process for the next sale. This type of barcode scanner is suitable for supermarkets, butcheries, fruit and vegetable shops and convenience stores at filling stations.
Wireless Barcode Scanners
Wireless barcode scanners are generally hand held and consist of the barcode scanner with a rechargeable battery and a charging and communication dock or cradle in which the barcode scanner is placed for charging when it is not in use. The communication dock provides the communication link between the barcode scanner and point of sale system. The range of the different wireless barcode scanners vary from 10m to 200m depending on the type of wireless technology being used. This type of barcode scanner is used in retailers that sell large products where it is not viable to place the product on the counter to be scanned. This type of barcode scanner is also used in wholesalers where products are scanned in the customer’s trolley or off the floor.
Customer Displays
A customer display is used to show the product being registered on the point of sale as well as the total of the sale and the change that needs to be paid back to the customer. The advantage of using a customer display on a point of sale system is that it can speed up the check out process and the cashier or operator does not have to communicate the amount due to the customer. Customer displays are beneficial in a shop layout where the customer stands in front of the counter. There are 2 types of customer displays namely 2 Line LED and Multi line LCD.
2 Line LED customer displays have become an industry norm as they are cheap to install and replace and are easy to read from a distance using bright large LED Lettering.Multi line LCD customer displays usually mirror the image that the cashier or operator is seeing to the customer.
Point Of Sale Hardware and Software Requirements by Retail Type Store Type.
Point of Sale Hardware and Software for Restaurants and Coffee Shops
Hospitality retailers such as restaurants and coffee shops do not use barcode scanning. For small restaurants and coffee shops with low to medium table turnover a 1 Terminal Point of sale system is sufficient. For larger restaurants where seating capacity is over 100 and a high table turnover expected, a multi terminal system with shared table tracking needs to be implemented. In restaurants and coffee shops a table is opened and food and beverage orders are registered on the point of sale system when customers are seated and the initial order is placed with the waiter or assistant. To speed up preparation and delivery times remote printers can be used at preparation stations such as kitchen, service bar etc. These remote printers print the order for the table with pertinent information such as table number, waiter or assistant that placed the order, time of order and precisely how the food or order must be prepared. Remote printers provide speed and accuracy and prevent the waiter or assistant having to communicate the order to the preparation area enabling them to spend more time looking after their customers. Remote printers also provide a certain amount of security as no order can be prepared unless it has been first registered on the point of sale. Restaurants and coffee shops also require that the point of sale system provide a cash up report per waiter or user as the customers usually pay the waiter or assistant directly. It has also now become necessary for Point Of Sale software to provide a Delivery function for Take Aways and Fast Food businesses as home and business deliveries become more prevalent.
Hardware Requirements
All in One Touch Terminal
Receipt Printers
Remote Printers for preparation stations if required
Software Requirements
Table or Bill Tracking and printing
Individual Waiter Management with security and Cash Ups
Remote Order Printing for the kitchen, bar or other preparation stations
Table bill Splitting functionality
Inventory management reporting and recipe costing
Delivery management system for home deliveries
Sales and inventory reporting (Periodic and Daily)
Suggested System Restaurant Special
Point of Sale Hardware and Software for Take Away, Bakery and Fast Food Business
Take Aways and Fast Food shops require the printing of duplicate point of sale receipts or the use of a remote order printer for walk in or over the counter clients. When the customer places and pays for his order at the point of sale he is given a receipt with a unique order or receipt number. A duplicate receipt is then generated and printed either on the receipt and given to the kitchen or preparation area or printed via a remote printer in the preparation area. When the preparation of the food is complete the unique receipt or order number is called vocally out for the customer to collect his order. It has also now become necessary for Point Of Sale software to provide a Delivery function for Take Aways and Fast Food businesses as home and business deliveries become more prevalent.
Hardware Requirements
All In One Touch Terminals
Receipt Printers
Remote Printers for preparation stations if required
Customer Display (Optional)
Software Requirements
Barcode Scanning
Duplicate Receipt Printing
Cashier and Manager security module
Daily cash up for cashiers and general turnover
Pay Out Function
Refund and Void Function
Inventory management with stock re-ordering module
Sales and inventory reporting (Periodic and Daily)
Inventory management reporting and recipe costing
Delivery management function for home and business deliveries
Suggested System Restaurant Special
Point of Sale Hardware and Software for a Gift Store and Pet Shop
We have bundled Gift stores and Pet Shops and hardware stores together as their hardware and software requirements are very similar. Gift and Pet Stores tend to stock a lot of products that are not bar-coded such as Home made products imported glass ware, Livestock and large bags of animal feeds etc. For these types of stores a barcode label printer is recommended.
Hardware Requirement
Non Touch Point Of Sale
Barcode Label Printer
Customer Pole Display(Optional)
Software Requirements
Barcode Scanning
Barcode generation and printing for products without barcodes and printing of shelf edge labels.
Cashier and Manager Security module
Daily cash up for cashiers and general turnover
Pay Out Function
Refund and Void Function
Inventory management with stock re-ordering module
Sales and inventory reporting (Periodic and Daily)
Suggested System Quick Pos Point Of Sale
Point of Sale Hardware and Software for a Clothing Store
Our experience has been that most clothing products imported into South Africa are not barcoded.To implement barcode scanning efficiently a barcode label printer is required. The label printed by the barcode label printer should have a description of the item or product, the sales price of the product and the barcode so that it can be scanned at the point of sale. Clothing retailers also normally require lay buy functionality from the point of sale software. A lay buy is where a customer pays a deposit for a product or service and then pays the balance of the outstanding amount over a period of time. When the product has been paid in full the client is then provided with the product or service. Clothing stores also require a refund functionality from the point of sale software. A refund returns the product back into stock and refunds the amount paid back to the customer.
Hardware Requirement
Non Touch Point Of Sale
Barcode Label Printer
Customer Pole Display
Software Requirements
Barcode Scanning
Barcode generation and printing for products without barcodes and printing of shelf edge labels.
Cashier and Manager Security module
Daily cash up for cashiers and general turnover
Lay Buy Function
Pay Out Function
Price Change Function
Discount Function
Refund and Void Function
Inventory management with stock re-ordering module
Sales and inventory reporting (Periodic and Daily)
Suggested System Quick Pos Point Of Sale
Point of Sale Hardware and Software for Taverns and Bottle or Liquor Stores
Liquor retail outlets need to control the sale and manage the stock of same product sold in different pack sizes. An example of this would be beer cans 330ml which is sold as each x1,a 6 pack x 6,Dozen x12 and a Case x24.They also need to manage sales and stock of bottle returns or empties which are products that are returned to stock and the customer is then refunded. All products in the liquor industry are bar-coded and label printer only becomes necessary if it is a self service type store to print shelf edge labels over the counter type stores do not normally require a barcode label printer.
Hardware Requirement
Non Touch Point Of Sale
Barcode Label Printer(For Self Service Stores)
Customer Pole Display(Optional)
Software Requirements
Barcode Scanning
Barcode generation and printing for products without barcodes and printing of shelf edge labels.
Pack size Inventory and Sales management
Bottle return Inventory and Sales management
Cashier and Manager security module
Daily cash up for cashiers and general turnover
Pay Out Function
Refund and Void Function
Inventory management with stock re-ordering module
Sales and inventory reporting (Periodic and Daily)
Suggested System Quick Pos Point Of Sale
Point of Sale Hardware and Software for Butcheries, Delis and Fruit & Vegetables Shops
Butcheries and Delis and Fruit & Vegetable retailers sell products by weight using a barcode label printing scale .The Barcode label printing scale is programmed with an item number, product description and price per kilogram. The operator then selects the product number on the scale and then places the product on the scale which weighs the product and calculates the monetary value. The barcode label printing scale then prints a barcode label with the product number and the price imbedded into a barcode on the label .This barcode is then scanned at the point of sale which reads the price of the product as well as the product number from the imbedded barcode and then calculates the weight of the product being registered on the point of sale. The most Common Barcode label printing scale brand is Teroaka, there are however other brands such as Bizerba, Ishida and Adams. Barcode label printing scales can also print the Packed date, Sell by date and Shelf life on the label. It is important to note that the product number and description on the scale and on the point of sale software must be the same. The Barcode Printing Scale can be networked to the point of sale which alleviates the problem of having to program the scale separately.
Hardware Requirement
Barcode Label Printing Scale (Teroaka Recommended)
Non Touch Point Of Sale
Barcode Label Printer(For Self Service Stores)
Customer Pole Display(Optional)
Software Requirements
Barcode Scanning
Barcode generation and printing for products without barcodes and printing of shelf edge labels.
Price imbedded barcode scanning for products being sold by weight
Cashier and Manager security module
Daily cash up for cashiers and general turnover
Pay Out Function
Refund and Void Function
Inventory management with stock re-ordering module
Sales and inventory reporting (Periodic and Daily)
Suggested System Quick Pos Point Of Sale
Point of Sale Hardware and Software for Spaza Shops and Small General Retailers
All Fast Moving Consumer products are bar-coded and label printer only becomes necessary if it is a self service type store to print shelf edge labels over the counter type stores do not normally require a barcode label printer. Spaza Shops and General Retailers sometimes need to print barcodes for products such as loose sweets and cigarettes but this can be done without the need for a barcode label printer. Theses types of retail stores also need to manage sales and stock of bottle returns or empties which are products that are returned to stock and the customer is then refunded.
Hardware Requirement
Non Touch Point Of Sale
Barcode Label Printer(For Self Service Stores, printing of shelf edge labels)
Customer Pole Display(Optional)
Software Requirements
Barcode Scanning
Barcode generation and printing for products without barcodes and printing of shelf edge labels.
Bottle return Inventory and Sales management
Cashier and Manager security module
Daily cash up for cashiers and general turnover
Pay Out Function
Refund and Void Function
Inventory management with stock re-ordering module
Sales and inventory reporting (Periodic and Daily)
Suggested System Quick Pos Point Of Sale
Point of Sale Hardware and Software for Hardware and Motor Spares Shops
All Fast Moving Consumer products in South Africa are bar-coded with either Ean 13 ,Ean 8 or Interleaved 20 of 5 type barcodes. This does not apply to spares and hardware stores as many different types of barcodes can be used depending on the product supplier and country of origin and these can be numeric or alphanumeric. These types of stores also tend to stock numerous products that are not bar-coded such as nuts and bolts, screws etc. The addition of a barcode label printer is recommended but not compulsory as the Easy Pos software has the ability to print barcodes onto the receipt printer which can the then be pasted onto an A4 sheet.
Hardware Requirement
Non Touch Point Of Sale
Barcode Label Printer (For Self Service Stores, printing of shelf edge labels)
Customer Pole Display (Optional)
Software Requirements
Barcode Scanning
Barcode generation and printing for products without barcodes and printing of shelf edge labels.
Alpha numeric barcode processing
Cashier and Manager security module
Daily cash up for cashiers and general turnover
Pay Out Function
Refund and Void Function
Inventory management with stock re-ordering module
Sales and inventory reporting (Periodic and Daily)
