What is POS(Point of sale)? What can you do with it?

POS system

A POS system is a system that aggregates sales by product, analyzes sales based on the results, and uses it for inventory management. For example, cash registers and computers with built-in POS systems can be used as POS cash registers and PC POS. Then, the information collected by the cash register with the POS system is incorporated, such as totaling daily sales for each product and analyzing data such as what products sold well, and what kind of customers purchased them. and use the results in your management and marketing strategies.

What functions does the POS system have? Let’s check the main features.

• Sales registration function: Basic function. This is a function that reads or inputs the code of the product sold and registers information such as “when”, “what payment method”, and “how many” product was sold in the database. The managed data can then be used for aggregation and analysis.
• Change calculation function: This function calculates the amount of change by subtracting the total amount of product sales from the amount deposited at the time of the transaction.
• Payment function: Recently, payment using credit cards and electronic money has become popular in addition to cash transactions. functions corresponding to them.
• Sales analysis function: A function to aggregate and analyze sales. It is used to adjust inventory and promote sales of specific products. In addition, we will analyze what kind of customers purchase this product and use it for efficient sales activities such as providing optimal product information to customer groups and notifying campaigns.
• Sales journal function: The sales journal is a store that stores the same content as the receipt given to the customer. Sales journals are required by law to be kept for seven years. It will be stored as a paper (book), but if you declare it to the tax office, it is also possible to store it as electronic data registered in the POS system.
  Sales journals are also used to verify and reconcile customer return requests. In addition, it is also used for mistyped amounts and checking selling prices.
  These sales journals can record cash register operations such as exchange operations and cancellation operations.
• Product information registration function: Register various information about products. Information mainly registered includes product type (classification), name, price, and manufacturer.
• Customer information registration function: Register information about customers who have made purchases at the store. The date and time of your visit, the products and services you ordered, and the payment method are registered. By registering such information, it is possible to analyze customer preferences, behavior patterns, etc. The analysis results can be used for measures to improve customer satisfaction.
• Order management function: This function is often used in restaurants. Utilize mobile tools such as tablets and smartphones to register information when receiving an order from a customer.
• Inventory management function: In addition to daily inventory management, it is a function to manage inventory. By linking with accounting information, it can lead to incoming and outgoing information and efficient ordering.
• Reservation management function: In addition to accepting reservations using the Internet, by managing information such as telephone reception information, information on the previous use of the customer, and information on repeat customers, it is possible to serve customers from the customer’s perspective. You will be able to connect.
• Attendance management function: A function to register the attendance status of employees and part-time employees.
• EC site linkage: A function that synchronizes the data accumulated at the store and the data accumulated from the Internet shop. With this function, it is possible to grasp comprehensive movements such as product information, sales information, customer information, and inventory information.

POS register

First, let’s take a look at what a register is. A register is a device for registering over-the-counter transactions, mainly at restaurants and retail stores. It is used to record what products were sold, how many, and at what prices when paying the bill at the store.

From cash register to POS cash register

POS cash registers were introduced in many stores recently, but it wasn’t until the 19th century that cash registers were born and started to be used as a device to simply display the number of transaction details at the store. It is the second half of

The register was created by an American cafe owner. It is said to be the world’s first register. It seems that the reason for the invention was to prevent cheating of sales proceeds by cafe clerks. It only had the function of displaying the amount of the transaction and confirming it with the customer and the store clerk.

Registers were introduced in Japan in earnest about 30 years after they were invented in the United States. It was taken in by a major department store. After that, as consumption expanded further, the demand for cash registers also increased in Japan, and from the function of simply confirming the transaction amount, a function was added to show the details of the transaction to the customer. In addition, it is now possible to issue a receipt showing the service content and the total amount of the service provided.

About a century after the birth of the world’s first cash register, the POS cash register was developed. It was developed not only to record transactions, but also to manage detailed sales such as product management, inventory management, and customer information. Advances in bar code technology have made POS cash registers even more convenient, enabling tasks such as product registration, and they have spread rapidly. And the number of stores that have introduced it to use it not only for accounting processing but also as a basis for business management has increased.

The functionality of the POS register is further developed. Many stores also use tablet-type POS cash registers that can be used as POS cash registers simply by installing an app on a tablet such as an iPad.

In this way, the register continues to change with the changes of the times. Cash registers equipped with POS systems and POS cash registers have become widely used not only for keeping records of transactions but also as a basis for business management, continuing to evolve as necessary. Nowadays, by installing a POS system, a computer or tablet can be used as a POS cash register. Next, let’s check the types and characteristics of cash registers.

Types and features of POS registers

There are three types of POS registers: terminal type, PC type, and tablet type, each with its characteristics.

• Terminal-type POS cash registers: Terminal-type POS cash registers are used in many stores, including convenience stores and supermarkets. Various functions can be used because it is a cash register made exclusively for POS. For example, there are cash registers and self-checkouts with an automatic change function. Many things can be operated with the same operation as the conventional cash register, and it can be said that it is a type that is easy to introduce in places such as large stores that are considering switching to POS cash registers. However, the introduction cost is higher than other POS cash registers.
  In addition, since the cash register function and the POS function are integrated, there are cases where it is necessary to replace the entire system when the system becomes obsolete or when the device itself breaks down.
• PC-type POS cash register: A POS system is installed on a general personal computer and used as a POS cash register. As long as you have a computer, you can easily use it as a POS cash register, so it is easy to introduce. Therefore, if you need to prepare a lot of POS cash registers in a large store, the cost may increase.
  A computer with a POS system installed can also function as a normal computer.
  Also, it can be said that it is efficient because you only need to update what needs to be changed in each case, such as when your computer breaks down or when you upgrade your POS system. On the other hand, if you switch from a conventional cash register to a PC-type POS cash register, the operability will be different, so you will need to learn how to operate it.
• Tablet-type POS cash register: Install a POS system application on an iPad or Android tablet terminal and use it as a POS cash register. Since it uses a tablet, it is portable, and there is no need to decide where to set up a cash register or to make a payment. In the case of a tablet-type POS cash register, it is necessary to prepare cash register peripherals separately, as with the computer-type cash register.

What you can do with a POS cash register

By using POS cash registers, you can get benefits that you could not get with conventional cash registers.

• Efficient accounting operations: By reading the barcodes printed on products and transaction statements, data such as product amounts and types can be entered immediately, enabling accurate accounting. Not only can you respond without making customers wait at the time of payment, but you can also improve the efficiency of cashier closing work.
• Multiple store management with centralized data management: Sales data settled using the POS cash register is centrally managed. For example, even if there are multiple stores, it becomes easier to manage sales data for each store.
• Improving product development using sales management: POS registers record data such as “what kind of customer purchased what product and how many at what time”. Analyzing them will clarify “selling products” and “non-selling products”. You can also analyze which products are most likely to be sold in which season, and which products are likely to be purchased as a set. By using such data, you can think about product development and devise sales methods suitable for the season.
  In addition, customer data and sales can be linked and analyzed for verification, so they can be used to improve customer approach methods, product development, and price structure. For example, it can be used for a variety of marketing purposes, such as distributing coupons to customers on their birthdays or providing information on products they have purchased to encourage repeat purchases.
• Prevention of cashier fraud: A log of cashier usage remains, so you can see who was in charge of the checkout and when. This helps prevent fraud by cashiers. It also eliminates the need for cashiers to memorize item prices and information, as bar code scanning populates item amounts and other information.
• Mistake prevention: You can read barcodes or register product prices and information in advance, so you don’t have to worry about typing mistakes during checkout. By pre-registering price changes such as sale periods and campaign items, you can prevent cashiers from inadvertently selling at regular prices.
• Increased customer satisfaction by streamlining accounting operations: Waiting time for customers is reduced because the staff does not need to enter amounts when making payments. In addition, since there is an inventory management function, you can prevent the product from running out of stock. From this aspect, we can respond smoothly to customer requests and increase satisfaction.
• Responding to the diversification of payment methods: As more and more customers do not carry cash, the ability to accept various payment methods, such as credit cards and electronic payment services, will improve customer convenience.
• You can choose the type of cash register that suits your business: POS cash registers come in terminal, computer, and tablet types, so you can choose according to the size of the store, the ease of introduction, and the functions you want for the POS cash register.

Tablet-type POS register “POS+”

POS + provided by Softbank can be used as a POS cash register by installing a dedicated application on the iPad and linking it with the cloud. In particular, it is a service that can be conveniently used at retail stores, event venues, and some restaurants. In addition to recording sales information such as when and to what kind of customers the product was sold, the accumulated data is aggregated and the results are displayed. Analysis can be used for product development and marketing.
* SoftBank will only handle “POS + retail” products.

Features of POS+

• Rich functions  Support for store operations A wide range of POS basic functions are covered, and there are also comprehensive analysis functions such as tax exemption, reservation accounting, and inventory management. In addition, the UI is easy to see and understand, from customer management to sales analysis, and regular updates are made so that the latest functions can be used at any time.
• A wide range of service linkages By linking with external payment terminals and automatic change dispensers, we will improve user satisfaction, simplify accounting operations, and improve operational convenience. In addition, it is also possible to link services with store apps other than cash registers, such as shift/attendance management and membership card apps.
• A complete support system The call center is available 365 days a year to speedily solve users’ “problems”. In the unlikely event of equipment or network trouble, support staff will visit the store and respond. In addition, since it can be used offline, it is possible to continue accounting operations even in the event of a network failure.

About 1 month from application to start of use (about 20 business days)

POS+ takes about one month from the application to the start of use. It can be used immediately after installation. There is also support for initial master registration, so you can rest assured. You can also receive training on the operation (for a fee).

Summary: Use it for strategic marketing

The POS system and POS cash register allow you to easily use a tablet as a POS cash register, and not only can you manage sales even in small stores and event venues. By linking with a system that can accumulate and analyze data, you will be able to conduct strategic marketing.

For POS cash registers, it is important to check the necessary functions in advance and introduce the most suitable POS cash register.