ePOS basics: What you need and how to get it

As the march of consumer technology continues forward, so do the expectations of those you serve. The inventory guesstimations of the past and the lack of an interactive branded website are just a few things that can quickly turn off today’s consumers. Bringing your business to a high level of technical ability does not have to be a costly or time-consuming endeavor—not with the innovations in small business ePOS technology.

What makes a POS system an ePOS system?

The labels placed on all of the POS options currently on the market are nothing less than confusing. Mobile (mPOS) systems, cloud-based POS software, ePOS systems, or regular point of sale terms are regularly used—often interchangeably—to describe the technology being presented. It is easy to quickly become confused by all of the point of sale lingo floating around the internet and start questioning what you really need.

Before you begin your examination of these POS options, it is important to note that any and all of the POS system types listed above fall under the umbrella of ePOS. Electronic point of sale systems may include:

Cloud-based features or storageFunctions that provide mobility optionsWeb-based options that encourage an expanded reach of a business brand. 

Constructing the ePOS system that best suits your particular need may need to start with a call to an experienced ePOS consultant.

Where can an ePOS solution provider step in?

The value of an ePOS solution provider is maximized when the partner can provide two key services:

They must have their finger on the pulse of emerging ePOS technologies and how these can aid small businesses in almost any sector. This provider should be able to don a business coaching cap, helping you align existing business processes to the possible features and capabilities possible in today’s innovative POS technology.

There are a few areas of ePOS systems where building an understanding will help you to select your ePOS partner. Doing so will help you to be better prepared for the changes an ePOS implementation will bring, and give you the additional information which may be needed to expedite the implementation of your new ePOS technology. It will also give you the confidence to approach your technical upgrade to an ePOS system with excitement and anticipation.

The basics of how data management works

One of the most vital features of ePOS solutions is their ability to scale big business data management features into a manageable size for small businesses. The ability to harness and analyze data in the same ways as larger competitors almost provides a full ROI single-handedly. Not only will you sleep better at night knowing that your vital business information is secure, but the ability to access all of your information from anywhere opens the doors to new potential sales channels.

Information becomes fully compatible regardless of its source. The ability of ePOS systems to funnel data from multiple sources into one secure and centrally-located source yields highly accurate and customizable predictive sales and inventory reporting options. Through these, you will start to enjoy the benefits of Big Data to improve processes and the customer experience using nothing more than the web browser on your smartphone or tablet.

Simplify process improvements

Taking the tasks you and your employees currently perform and converting them from time consumers into assets is the magic that ePOS systems can perform. The use of data will help you:

Quickly identify gaps in the process or training so you can take more effective proactive actions to right the ship. Better understand where changes in inventory ordering need to be made, or where the flow of business processes can be aligned to better serve your customers.Use ePOS tools and your data to create precisely targeted points of automation. The features available in the top-tier of ePOS systems provide around-the-clock monitoring so the smallest of changes in staff or customer behaviors will trigger a proactive response that keeps everyone on target to meet established financial goals. 

All this leads to a better customer experience and empowers staff to always be at the top of their game.

Build a better customer experience

The great thing about ePOS systems is that you can build a more robust customer service experience. Customers gain confidence in your ability to deliver thanks to the strict management of inventory which is built using sales data. The ability to provide web-based interaction with your brand, whether it is to place an order, view products, and services, book an appointment, or submit payment, all work to give the customer more control over their experience with your brand.

The ePOS partner you choose must be able to provide concise guidance that is specifically built for your needs. There should exist a blend that walks the line between industry best practices and your business plan. This ensures that the ePOS framework that you rely on is geared towards addressing your customers’ needs and giving your staff the tools they need to provide high levels of customer service and ensure that every customer has a great experience.

The ePOS consultants at talech provide more than just technical expertise. They become your guide; steering you away from non-productive tasks and towards automation and efficiencies in your processes that make sense. This gives you a new set of technical tools that are built to specifically help you achieve all of the goals in your business plan. Reach out to us today to sign up for a demo and to learn more about how talech can be your valued POS partner.