Retail store owners need efficient equipment that collects sales data and updates their inventory. Standard cash registers will not give the store the advantages they need to track all information and create a permanent record of the transactions. A point of sale terminal provides an opportunity to collect information about purchases and gain better insight into the success of their products and define the daily sales totals. When purchasing the terminals, the retail store owner must set up the installation and integration of each terminal. By following a 6-step guide for setting up the systems, the retail store owner gets immediate use of the terminals and gain the full advantages of the integration.
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Launch the Application and Log In as the Administrator
When setting up the POS system, the store owner must launch the application from the centralized system or control hub. They will work with the developer to set up an administrator account to control all information coming from the point of sales terminals throughout the store. All data generated from the terminals inside the entire store is transferred to the control hub and stored in a database.
The administrator account allows the store owner to generate reports and assess sales totals. They can assess the sales totals on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis and determine how well the store is doing financially. The system will also store the quantities of how many of each item has sold each day.
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Enter All Products Into the System
The product inventory must be loaded into the system via the centralized control hub. Each time new products come into the store through freight trucks, the items are scanned into the system according to how many are available. This keeps the inventory totals managed and ensures the store owner and manager know the exact quantity of the items at all times.
When cashiers sell the products through the point of sales terminals, the barcode updates the system and deducts the total amount according to how many of the items are purchased. If a sale is voided, the point of sales terminal will update the totals immediately.
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Create User Accounts for All Workers
All workers get their own credentials to log into the point of sales terminal. The store manager can set up the credentials by adding each worker’s first and last night and assigning a password for the user account. Each time they sign into a point of sales terminal, the worker will use the same credentials. It is an easier way to track where the workers are and what terminals they used throughout their shift.
If a mistake happens, the store manager can track the error back to the worker and determine how it happened. It is a great way to find out if there are any unethical workers in the workplace or if they are making simple mistakes that just require more training. The details make it easier for the store manager to complete worker assessments and determine if the workers are experiencing difficulties or if other positions are better suited for them.
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Set Up All Hardware for the POS System
The hardware installation requires the vendor to complete to ensure all equipment is connected appropriately. Today, point of sale terminals are installed at the checkout counters for the store, and the store manager must ensure that the terminals are set up for easier use for the workers. The store owner must install panels that connect to the counters and surround the terminal to protect the workers from biohazards. The design must be ergonomic and reduce the potential for occupational injuries for the workers.
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Set the Equipment to Accept Payments
The programming for the terminals defines what payment methods are acceptable for the business, and the business owner makes this decision. Typically, retail stores accept all major credit cards, checks, cash, and mobile pay. The terminals must provide options for accepting these payments. It will print out deposit information on the back of all checks, and it should give the workers a terminal for processing credit card and debit payments. Mobile pay options help the cashiers accept the payment and process it through the terminal.
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Connecting the POS to All Business Applications
The developer integrates the terminal software with the control hub and connects each terminal to the business applications. All retail stores have their own designs that generate reports and printed receipts with their information on the receipts. The developer sets up the terminals according to the department and any specific services provided in these departments. For example, if the retail store provides layaway opportunities for customers, the terminals must provide options for making payments, including setting up the layaway plans and settling the entire account.
Some departments may present special services such as additional discounts or rates. The terminals will have to provide options for the workers to accommodate customers and make changes to the sales when necessary. For example, if the customer is returning items, the system must have options for updating the sales record and deducting the items. The workers need an easy-to-use solution for accommodating these requirements. When setting up the terminal, the store owner must have the terminals connected to the special services.
To transfer information faster from the terminals to the control hub, all terminals must have a connection to the business network. The data must transfer to the database and keep all sales records and customer information up to date.
Retail store owners need a better point of sales terminals that collect information from all transactions. The terminals transfer data at the end of each transaction to the database, and the store manager signs into the control hub and reviews these details at any time. The store’s inventory is updated each time a sale is completed, and the manager can track items throughout the store. The business owner can review several terminals to find equipment that makes sales transactions easier and improves how the owner operates the business.
