Why choose a POS over a terminal?
Merchants commonly choose a POS system so that their business systems are fully integrated. Their inventory/taxes/employees are all reported upon in the same place. Processes are simpler, with better customer experiences.
Ultimately, it completely depends on every business' unique needs when determining the necessity of a Point of Sale. When speaking about point of sale systems, many people's first impressions are typically "something robust with many features". But, that does not necessarily fit the mold of many POS systems out there. Just about all POS systems have varying levels of functionality, and some businesses have greater needs for specific feature sets, while others don't. Nowadays, POS providers are able to adjust their system to fit your needs, so you’re not paying for a feature you won’t use.
Most merchants specifically desire the following from a Point of Sale:
-
Robust inventory management with stock tracking and cost-basis reporting
-
Employee clock ins/outs, tip management, and employee permission levels
-
Tax reporting, particularly varying tax rates based on the product
-
Discounts, rewards, loyalty, and customer engagement
-
Peripheral devices - barcode scanning, weight scales, cash drawers, kitchen printers
Alternatively, at terminal is a basic tool to accept card data, and does not have the robust functions of a full range POS. With a terminal you are able to manually input card data or swipe/dip the card, but you won’t have the ability to monitor inventory levels and many other features POS systems offer. Depending on your needs, though, a standalone terminal may fit perfectly and save you money! AND recommends the Clover POS system for all merchants considering a point of sale.
We're serious about saving money.
AND is dedicated to getting your processing rates as close to zero as possible. We utilize membership pricing along with cash discounting and surcharging programs to maximize savings. Let our analysts review your statements and see how much money we can put back in your pockets.