Now that we are in the full swing of 2018, what’s on your technology to-do list for the year ahead? Perhaps it’s time to upgrade your point of sale platform to meet customer expectations, remain competitive in a rapidly changing environment and build your profit margin.
Keep these three things in mind as you compare and contrast modern point of sale platforms for deployment in 2018.
#1 Security
As you well know, running a highly secure point of sale platform must be a priority, given the steady stream of news headlines announcing yet another cyberattack or data breach. Hospitality businesses ranging from Arby’s and Intercontinental Hotel Group to Chipotle and Sonic have all experienced data security issues so far this year.
So what can you do to secure your next point of sale platform? There are a number of different approaches you can take:
- Out of scope (OOS) payments. This strategy keeps cardholder data separate from the POS. Instead, the point of sale platform transmits the transaction amount to the card reader, which interfaces directly with the card processor and sends just the authorization information to the POS. Since the POS never transmits any sensitive cardholder information, the POS system is Out of Scope and less likely to be breached.
- EMV semi-integration. Restaurants and retailers that have been putting off EMV compliance might want to consider this approach. Like OOS payments, semi-integrated EMV functions apart from your payment terminal, keeping customer cardholder data separate from your point of sale platform and reducing the value that POS presents in the event of a breach.
- Embedded software. Point of sale platforms with embedded operating systems prevent potential thieves from stealing your data because these systems do not have the ability to run a virus, even if a virus has somehow gotten onto your terminal – so there’s no way to upload malware to or download data from the point of sale. By choosing this approach, you don’t need to worry about antivirus software or other costly data security measures for your POS.
#2 Go Mobile or Go Home
The industry has adopted mobile POS devices in encouraging numbers, and this trend will only accelerate going forward. When investing in a point of sale platform in 2018, ensure that your system of choice integrates seamlessly with tablets and other handheld form factors. Tablets in particular are effective for a number of applications, including queue busting and tableside ordering, all of which can drive greater sales and profits.
#3 Backing Up in the Cloud and Remote Access
As you consider point of sale platforms, are you looking for one that best leverages the cloud and gives you access on your terms? The right POS will operate with both network server and cloud technology, backing up your terminal data to the cloud only when you choose to: that could be hourly, daily, weekly or whatever works for your specific business needs.
Finally, ensure your point of sale platform comes with a mobile app to keep you connected to your POS data and your operations — from monitoring inventory numbers to resolving staffing issues and overseeing multiple locations — while you’re on the go.
Selecting a new point of sale platform doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Keep these insights in mind when narrowing down your list of POS systems to find a solution that will meet your business needs, whatever lies ahead.
