
Staying competitive in such a dynamic landscape is becoming a necessity in order to meet rising customer expectations. With this being said, more than 70% of businesses are using point of sale (POS) software and hardware that is over two years old.
With a POS system creating the basis of a business's daily operations, finding the right one can make all the difference. Nowadays, the options available are vast and businesses are able to find modern solutions that offer the added flexibility and efficiency that they need.
In this article, we discuss five of the key benefits of switching to a handheld POS system.
One of the key advantages of handheld devices is their portability, allowing businesses the flexibility of assisting customers from anywhere.
Instead of being confined to fixed POS systems that mean customers have to come to the physical register to make a payment, a handheld system means employees can instead go to the customer. This is particularly useful in hospitality businesses, allowing tableside payments to be made for maximum convenience.
Handheld POS systems are also a great solution for mobile businesses that travel to different locations. Whether that be food trucks, pop-up shops, or corporate exhibitors, the versatility of being able to make sales anywhere can help to drive more sales.
Although they may seem like a big investment for businesses that are currently operating with physical POS systems, a handheld system can reduce costs in the long run.
The need for additional hardware is reduced with handheld POS systems, cutting out the need for physical registers and checkout stations. This way, there is no need for as much maintenance, repair work, and upgrading.
Since handheld systems tend to be integrated with cloud software, maintenance fees are also cut out since any software updates or issues are handled centrally by the provider. This means there is no need for a business to implement a new IT structure or rely on technicians to maintain the system.
With 60% of shoppers getting irritated by long checkout lines, a lengthy queue can result in customers leaving their purchase behind and leaving. Especially in busy retail environments, an overcrowded checkout area can have a negative impact on the overall success of a business.
Switching to a handheld POS system means the checkout process is sped up since restaurant staff can calculate the bill without having to manually input each item and retail staff can complete payments at a tap.
Many retail businesses choose to keep queues down low by assisting customers throughout different areas of the store. By having staff on the shop floor to help with customer requests and be able to carry out transactions from anywhere, overcrowding is minimized.
A handheld POS system can make the daily tasks of employees significantly easier, both improving team morale and improving overall productivity. With the option to manage transactions and access information from a handheld device, the need to keep darting between customers and the register is removed.
The user-friendly interface of a handheld POS system makes it easier than ever for employees to provide great service to customers. By being able to look up stock levels, find product information, and process the purchase in a timely manner, the customer experience becomes a memorable one that increases the likelihood of repeat customers.
For companies with a fast-paced inventory turnover, being able to automate management can transform the running of the business.
Handheld POS systems track sales data to provide real-time data on stock levels, allowing business owners to see exactly what their inventory looks like. By cutting out the need for manual inventory counts, a significant chunk of time is saved each day and the risk of human error is minimized.
There is also an option to set up stock alerts which send notifications when stock levels fall below predefined thresholds, prompting an order to be made. This is an effective way to ensure stock does not run out while also preventing overordering that causes difficulties with storage capacity.
Handheld POS systems are becoming increasingly popular in businesses of various sizes, allowing them to adopt a more flexible way of working that saves both time and money.
Being an especially powerful tool in busy retail and restaurant environments, the option to process payments and support customers from anywhere provides a particularly good service that helps a business stay ahead of its competition.