Choosing the right EPOS system for your business is essential for streamlining your operations, boosting your sales, and improving your customer service.
With so many different EPOS systems on the market, it can be difficult to know where to start.
In this blog post, we will walk you through the process of choosing the right EPOS system for your business, step by step.
Before we start, let’s recap on basic information about EPOS systems or you can move straight to the guide “How to choose the right EPOS system”
What is an EPOS System?
Elite Point of sale is a digital system that businesses use to process payments, manage inventory, track sales, and provide customer service. EPOS systems are a modern alternative to traditional cash registers and offer a variety of benefits for businesses of all sizes. These systems are typically used in retail stores, restaurants, hotels, and other service-oriented businesses.
How does an EPOS system work?
An EPOS system typically consists of a computer, a touch screen terminal, a barcode scanner, and a receipt printer. When a customer makes a purchase, the cashier scans the item’s barcode and enters the quantity into the EPOS system. The system then calculates the price of the purchase and displays it on the touchscreen terminal. Next, the cashier accepts payment from the customer and prints a receipt.
EPOS systems also track inventory levels and customer data. When a customer makes a purchase, the EPOS system updates the inventory level for that item. The system also stores the customer’s contact information and purchase history. This information can be used to generate sales reports, customer loyalty programs, and targeted marketing campaigns.
Benefits of Using an EPOS System
EPOS systems offer a wide range of benefits to businesses of all sizes. Here are some of the most important benefits:
- Increased sales
EPOS systems can help businesses increase sales by providing them with valuable insights into their sales data. This information can be used to identify trends, target customers more effectively, and develop targeted marketing campaigns.
- Improved customer service
EPOS systems can help businesses improve customer service by providing faster checkout times, reducing errors, and making it easier to manage customer loyalty programs.
- Reduced costs
EPOS systems can help businesses reduce costs by automating manual tasks, streamlining operations, and reducing waste.
- Streamlined operations
EPOS systems can help businesses streamline their operations by centralising data, automating tasks, and providing real-time insights into performance.
- Improved inventory management
EPOS systems can help businesses to improve their inventory management by tracking stock levels in real-time, identifying best-selling and slow-moving products, and generating automated purchase orders.
- Integration with other business systems
EPOS systems can be integrated with other business systems, such as accounting software and CRM systems, to provide a seamless view of the business.
How to Choose the right EPOS system?
Understand your Business Needs
Before delving into the world of EPOS systems, first of all it’s important to understand your business’s unique needs and objectives. What works for one may not necessarily work for another, and that’s why you need to choose the right EPOS system.
When choosing an EPOS system, there are a number of features that businesses should consider. These features can be broadly categorised into the following areas:
- Inventory management
- Sales Reporting
- Customer relationship management (CRM)
- Employee management
- Integrations with other systems
Things to consider when choosing an EPOS:
- Your type of business. Are you in retail, hospitality, or another industry? Your EPOS requirements will vary based on your industry's specific demands.
- Business Size and Scalability. What is the current size of your business in terms of employees, inventory, and sales. Consider if the EPOS system can scale with your business as it expands.
- Establish a budget for your EPOS system. This includes not only the initial purchase but also ongoing costs like licensing fees, hardware, and support. Ensure that your budget aligns with the features and functionality you require.
- Integration with Existing Systems. Check if the POS system you’re looking at has a capability to work with your accounting or inventory management software.
- Customer Base and Needs. Examine your customer base. Are they primarily in-store, online, or a mix of both? Consider the needs and expectations of your customers, for example, preferred payment methods or loyalty programs.
TIP: Look for EPOS solutions that seamlessly integrate with your accountaing systems, especially if you use Sage or other essential tools.
Overall, EPOS systems are essential tools for businesses of all sizes. They can help businesses to increase sales, improve customer service, reduce costs, streamline operations, and grow their business.
A restaurant can use an EPOS system to track customer orders and payments, generate reports on sales and inventory, and manage its customer loyalty program. This can help the restaurant to increase sales, improve customer service, and reduce costs.
A service business, such as a hair salon or a car repair shop, can use an EPOS system to book appointments, track customer payments, and manage its inventory. This can help the service business to increase sales, reduce costs, and improve customer service.
A retail store can use an EPOS system to track inventory levels, generate reports on sales and trends, and manage its customer loyalty program. This can help the retail store to increase sales, reduce waste, and improve customer service.
Types of EPOS Systems
There are two main types of EPOS Systems:
Cloud-based EPOS systems are hosted on a remote server and can be accessed from any internet-connected device. This makes them a good option for businesses with multiple locations or employees who work remotely.
On-premise EPOS systems are installed on the business’s own computer servers. This gives the business more control over the system and its data, but it also requires more investment and technical expertise.
In addition to these two main types, there are also a variety of specialised EPOS systems available for specific industries, such as restaurants, retail stores, and hotels.
Key questions to ask yourself when choosing an EPOS system:
- What types of products or services do you sell?
- How many sales do you process per day?
- How many employees do you have?
- Do you have multiple locations?
- Do you need to manage customer relationships?
- Do you need to track inventory?
- Do you need to integrate your EPOS system with other systems, such as accounting software or CRM software?
- Do you need to manage employee time and attendance?
Once you have assessed your needs and requirements, you can start researching different EPOS systems. There are a wide variety of EPOS systems available, so it is important to compare them carefully to find the best one for your business.
When researching different EPOS systems, consider the following factors:
- Features: Does the system have all of the features that you need?
- Features: Does the system have all of the features that you need?
- Scalability: Can the system grow with your business?
- Pricing: How much does the system cost? Is there a monthly subscription fee? Are there any additional costs, such as hardware costs or training costs?
- Support: Does the provider offer good customer support?
- Reviews: What do other businesses say about the system?
Compare features and pricing
Once you have narrowed down your choices to a few different EPOS systems, it is time to compare features and pricing.
Create a spreadsheet and list the features that are important to you. Then, rate each EPOS system on a scale of 1 to 5 for each feature. Finally, compare the pricing of each EPOS system. This will help you to identify the EPOS system that offers the best features and pricing for your business.
Tip: Ask about warranties and support contracts. Make sure that you are getting good value for your money
EPOS System Support & Training
Once you have chosen an EPOS system, you will need to implement it and train your staff on how to use it. It is also important to maintain your EPOS system and keep it up to date with the latest software updates.
At CADS, we provide training and support for all your Sage Epos software, icluding Sage 50, Sage 200, and Payroll products. We will teach you and your team how to operate the point-of-sale system, manage stock, add new products, and troubleshoot common problems. Contact us for more detailed information.
Finally, make a decision
Once you have researched about different EPOS systems, it is time to make a decision. Consider all of the factors that we have mentioned in this article, such as features, pricing, scalability, support, and reviews. Choose the EPOS system that you think is best for your business and your specific needs.
Should you need any advice or help in choosing an EPOS system that will be suitable for your business, let us know, and we will assist you. We will explain all the differences, and features, and suggest the appropriate solution for your company.