Top Multichannel POS Systems for Retailers
Are you happy with your current POS system, or do you feel like it could be better?
There are plenty of options for POS software out there for small businesses, but larger retailers have different needs and finding the right POS software can be more complex.
In this article, we’ll focus on retail systems for larger businesses looking for POS software that provides the latest and most useful features.
What Does POS Mean?
Point of Sale (POS) Systems are hardware and software used in conjunction with a payment processing terminal. A retailer can use POS software for a number of functions, including inventory management, price changes, loyalty programs, financial tracking data, and more.
POS software can also generate reports that allow data to be analyzed more easily and even remotely. POS Systems are usually designed for either retail or restaurant businesses, though some software can accommodate both. There is also the option of having your information stored in the cloud so hardware can be easily updated while the data remains safe.
Should You Switch to a New POS System?
POS systems can become outdated and are often missing some of the newest and most beneficial features if regular updates are not implemented. Likewise, hardware changes, such as using touchpad devices, can make software harder to work with by limiting its functionality.
According to a Capterra report, 46% of companies spend less than $1500 on a new POS system. Honestly, it’s a small expense considering the benefits you’ll get.
Best POS Software for Retailers
When looking for new POS software there are many choices, each with their own pros and cons.
Here’s a sampling of some of the best available POS software for large- to enterprise-size businesses with multiple locations and a multichannel selling strategy.
All of the software listed is highly rated and chock full of special features, but each option should be carefully weighed for your specific business needs.
Springboard Retail
Pros
- Web-based
- Multi-channel, stores, and locations
- Can be used with touch screen devices
- Can be integrated with existing user interfaces
Cons
- No employee time clock tracking
- Migration can be time-consuming for some
- Not a good choice if you have network connectivity issues at your location
Additional Features
- POS can be fully accessed through any modern web browser, on any device, offering retailers their choice of preferred hardware.
- Integrates with Shopify, Magento, BigCommerce
Pricing
- Enterprise starts at $179/month billed annually, or $209 billed monthly
COMCASH Retail ERP
Pros
- Best for multi-channel and multi-location retailers
- Cloud based
- Multi-touch capable
- Supports all necessary hardware
Cons
- Reports can be somewhat complicated to work with
- Set up can be time-consuming for some businesses
- Support is offered during business hours
Additional Features
- Can run locally if internet connection is lost
- Powerful inventory management and customer handling capabilities
Pricing
- $125 per terminal per month
- $250 per website per month
- 2 web admin users free for each outlet
Cybex Enterprise Retail Suite
Pros
- Strong focus on information accessibility
- Allows manual input of data
- Ideal for retail locations with one main headquarters
- Modern look will be familiar to Microsoft users
Cons
- Can take time for changes made to be fully implemented
Additional Features
- Best for retailers with 5-300 stores
- Includes a “business intelligence” feature
- Fully integrated accounting
- Outstanding 24/7 online customer service
Pricing
- Cybex POS $100/ month (per user)
- Retail Dashboard $100/ month
- Advanced Modules (added functions) $100/ month
Lightspeed Retail
Pros
- Inventory can be imported either via spreadsheet or directly from distributors in some cases
- Dynamic reports are user-friendly and customizable
- Fully integrates with accounting software
- Platform agnostic
Cons
- Some issues with migration reported
- Inventory must be in a spreadsheet to be imported
- No employee scheduling ability.
Additional Features
- Multi-store capability
- Fully integrated web store option
- Design-centric software makes it user-friendly
- Integrates with Magento
Pricing
- $289/ month for large businesses
- eCom starts at $59/ month
JDA Software
Pros
- Feature rich solutions manage entire supply chain: from raw materials to the customer
- Excellent customer service
- Ability to fully customize software to fit your business
Cons
- Advanced customization can be very time consuming
- Software can be costly (no pricing is listed on their website)
Additional Features
- Industry leading global supply chain solution currently working with many of the top enterprise-sized companies in several categories.
- Acquisition of other market leaders has added lots of software functionality and the number of features continues to grow.
Pricing
- Contact customer service for a customized quote.
What to Think About Before Selecting a POS System
In order to choose the right POS system for your specific business, you will need to consider what you need from that system. There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to POS software, which is why each option has a number of features.
First, define the needs of your business and what is absolutely required from your POS software.
Avoid making decisions based on features that would be “nice to have.” Do you need advanced inventory settings? The ability to reach out to customers or managers? Access to specific reports? Make decisions based on must-haves.
Next, make sure the required hardware is a setup that you can accommodate in your business and that it makes sense to do so. POS software these days frequently has the ability to integrate wirelessly with hardware like printers and scanners and cloud storage can be used for safeguarding data.
Lastly, set a budget. Just because one POS brand is more expensive than another brand does not immediately mean that it is better. Examine what a reasonable spending amount would be for your business and choose software that meets both your business needs and budget.
POS Software: The Bottom Line
Any retailer would want to choose POS software that is the perfect mix of features, price, reliability, and ease of use.
While there’s no clear winner, we’re leaning towards Cybex Enterprise Retail Suite. The software offers loads of customizable features and makes the migration process very easy. In addition, they have outstanding 24/7 customer service and countless positive reviews posted online.
When you’re in the process of getting ramped up, Cybex offers helpful extensive training both online and in person. They also give retailers the option to choose extra modules for added functionality beyond what is normally included in the software.
All in all, Cybex does a solid job of providing a quality product with stellar customer service, all at a price that makes it very accessible to larger businesses. It is a solid POS software choice that should be considered by larger businesses with one main headquarters, looking to get more out of their POS software.
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