Ever since they came into the business scene, points of sale terminals have been of immense benefit to store owners. Through them, sellers have been able to control stock and capture the right data about products which goes a long way to help them manage the inflow and outflow of their merchandise.
Many times when points of sale systems are mentioned, people tend to think about the computer itself and not the peripherals that are networked with it. Peripherals are integral parts of POS systems and they are essential in the overall functionality of the entire system complex. Without peripherals, you could have a fancy cash register that does very little for you and your business.
It is therefore critical that you do not overlook these devices and instead put them as a must-have in your list of priorities. There are many peripherals but the most important ones are detailed below:
Caller ID
This is one of the peripherals that is an absolute must for businesses that deal with deliveries. Whether it is the delivery of fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers or any other merchandise, Caller ID plays a very crucial role. In size, this device is small and therefore easy to store and manage.
In terms of price, it is also relatively cheap compared to other equipment that are bought for use in the store. One of the key functionalities of this device is that it can easily help you to speed up your order taking time and processing. It does this through the identification of the clients’ delivery addresses.
One thing you should be aware of however, when purchasing POS systems for use with Caller ID, is that you need to check for compatibility. Not every POS is compatible with this peripheral device meaning that you have to either do your homework well or read the user manuals before deciding which unit to buy.
Aside from the order taking process, this device also helps you in planning your marketing strategy by identifying the areas you deliver to the most.
LCD Customer Display Component
The technological advancements happening in the world of commerce today have necessitated that you invest in quality devices that can equally keep pace. The times when linear display devices were used that only displayed price information and nothing more are long gone and forgotten. For you to have an impact in the digital age we are in today, you need to avail the customer with the devices that will satisfy all their needs and meet all their preferences.
Compared to the functionality that an LCD Customer Display Component possesses, the issue of price becomes secondary. It will give your entire POS system a brand new look and also work just like a full time billboard where all your products are displayed in turns.
Mobile Inventory Device
It is common to find retailers with huge amounts of items that they sell. Most of the stores such as supermarkets, beauty supply stores, liquor stores and many other retailers fall in this category. One of the problems associated with these kinds of multi-product stores is inventory management. All the way from the receiving of new stock to the point of storage, you need to have a system in place that not only has the capacity to handle the volume but also capture the little details with accuracy.
The mobile inventory device helps in drastically reducing inventory maintenance time. What the device does is that it directly synchronizes with a POS system hence making the process of inputting the entire inventory into the POS faster and accurate.
Consider the number of people you would need to help you do the same exercise and compare this with the price you have to pay for this device. The mobile inventory device is an absolute bargain.
Interactive Pin Pad
Pin pads are devices that give the customer security and make the processing of debit cards and credit cards faster. These peripheral devices usually face the customer meaning that they do not have to part with their cards while paying for items in stores. In addition, these pads can also be programmed so that they display the products stored at the particular store.
They are also popular with a wide range of retailers, as opposed to a previous restriction where they were only present in large stores.
About the Author: Richard Cox is a retail owner who has had the benefit of interacting and even using these points of sale peripherals. He has firsthand experience in using these devices thanks to sites such as pos99.com.au for informative articles.
Cover photo credit: OldOnliner
