A cash register is still a commonly used term for the device and system used to process sales. However, when choosing a cash register or POS system, it is important to consider more than just the physical device. You should also think about the functions your business needs in its daily operations.
The requirements of restaurants, cafés and retail stores can vary considerably. A POS system can be connected to devices such as a payment terminal, receipt printer, customer display or barcode scanner. It can also be used for sales reporting and many other important business functions.
In this guide, we explain which types of POS systems are suitable for different industries and what you should consider when choosing one for your business.
What Type of POS System Is Best for a Restaurant or Café?
In restaurants and cafés, the most important qualities of a POS system are speed, ease of use and reliability. During busy periods, employees need to be able to enter orders and process payments quickly. The system should also be easy for new employees to learn.
However, a POS device alone is rarely enough. A cloud-based back-office system is also needed to manage products, prices, users and sales reports. It allows sales information to be accessed from outside the checkout area and enables businesses with multiple locations to manage their data centrally.
Depending on the needs of the restaurant or café, the POS system can also be connected to a payment terminal, receipt printer, kitchen printer or kitchen display. Other useful features may include table service, bill splitting, recipe management, integrations and self-service kiosks.
When choosing a suitable POS system, it is best to begin with the way your business operates. A small café may have very different requirements from a busy lunch restaurant, an à la carte restaurant or a restaurant chain with several locations.
The Mando POS system can be tailored to the needs of a restaurant or café. Suitable POS devices and any additional equipment can be selected according to the intended use.
For a busy restaurant, ACT or Nova is a reliable choice from Mando’s range of POS devices. If counter space is limited, Mint is a compact alternative.
A traditional checkout can also be complemented or replaced by Mando self-service kiosks. The ACT terminal can be configured for self-service use, and Mando also offers freestanding self-service kiosks.
What Type of POS System Is Best for a Retail Store?
In a retail store, the POS system should make selling products fast and straightforward. When choosing a suitable system, consider the size and type of your product range, the information you want to track and whether you require a loyalty programme or other integrated services.
In addition to the POS device, you need POS software and a cloud-based back-office system for managing products and prices and monitoring sales and reports. If your business operates several stores, information from all locations can be managed centrally.
Depending on the store’s requirements, the checkout can be equipped with a barcode scanner, payment terminal, receipt printer, cash drawer and customer display. Grocery stores and other businesses that sell products by weight can also connect a scale to the POS system.
Inventory management is another important consideration when choosing a retail POS system. Mando’s inventory management feature allows you to monitor stock quantities and inventory value, carry out stocktakes and track product margins.
The right setup for a small independent store may be very different from the solution required by a grocery store or a business with several locations. Instead of considering only the device, it is therefore important to assess the entire POS system and how well it supports the store’s daily operations.
For retail use, ACT, Nova and Mint are all excellent options from Mando’s range. ACT and Nova are designed for demanding daily use, while Mint is a suitable choice when space at the checkout counter is limited.
What Type of POS System Is Best for an Event?
At events, a POS system needs to be fast, easy to use and flexible. Festivals, trade fairs and other events may have several sales points and large numbers of customers. The devices must therefore be quick to set up and easy for temporary employees to learn.
An event POS solution can be configured according to the size of the event and the number of sales points. In addition to POS devices, the solution can include payment terminals and any necessary peripherals. Sales from all locations can be monitored centrally through the cloud-based back-office system.
Purchasing POS devices is not always the most practical option for temporary events. Mando rents POS systems and equipment for event use, allowing businesses to use the required number of devices only for the duration of the event. Rental solutions are suitable for festivals, trade fairs, sporting events and other temporary sales locations.
When planning an event POS solution, consider the number of sales points, the duration of the event, the expected number of customers and whether sales will take place at fixed checkout points or require mobile devices.
Mando Mobile POS is a practical choice for mobile sales. It is a payment-terminal-sized device that combines a POS system and payment terminal in one compact unit.
When a more robust device is required for a fixed sales point, Mando D1 is a suitable choice. Its compact design includes an integrated receipt printer, enabling fast receipt printing without the need for a separate device.
Looking for a POS System for Your Business?
When choosing a POS system, it is important to consider the complete solution rather than just the physical device. A good setup combines a suitable POS device, cloud-based back-office software, payment terminals and any necessary peripherals.
The Mando POS system can be tailored to the needs of restaurants, cafés, retail stores and events. We will help you choose the right POS device and any additional solutions required for your business.
Explore Mando POS systems and POS devices or contact us, and we will help you find the right solution for your business.