What is Cloud POS?

Not that a lot of years ago, most face-to-face businesses would store all their cloud POS data locally, including prices of things and records of transactions. This data would usually be persisted an on-site PC or server, or perhaps a server on a personal company network within the case of huge retail chains.

But now that the majority business tools are based online, there’s been a natural progression towards cloud-based POS systems. you'll ask: why cloud POS? Let’s check out what it's and the way it’s fundamentally different from locally hosted POS systems.

How does cloud POS work?

Cloud POS systems process and store sales data online as against locally on your computer or on-premise server. Cloud-based POS systems are sometimes mentioned as POS applications (apps) rather than software, since they're often used on mobile devices. they're also called EPOS (electronic point of sale) to reflect the very fact that the software runs on equipment.

Full-sync: sell everywhere

With cloud-based POS software, your retail stores, products, customers and orders are automatically synced everywhere. You’ll not got to keep multiple product records or believe guesswork when it involves inventory. In fact, clous POS keeps track of all of your transactions and updates every little detail across all stores, registers and sales channels seamlessly.

Why Is Cloud Garnering such a lot Interest And Adoption?

It’s more likely, however, that cloud-based solutions provide tangible advantages in cost, simplicity, flexibility and performance.

Cost

Cloud POS changes how businesses acquire their POS. within the past, they bought their hardware up front, licensed the software and paid per-terminal fees and support/maintenance contract fees. With cloud POS, merchants pay a monthly rent for access to the software. The merchant simply uses the merchandise.

Cloud POS apps are usually subscription-based, sometimes without a long-term contract, the value of which covers licensing, customer support, data hosting and software updates. you always pay per touchscreen device using the software. Plans are flexible so you'll switch to more or fewer devices or cancel any time. If many touchscreens are used – as within the case of huge retailers with multiple stores – the prices can add up to be as expensive as on-site systems.

Simplicity

The complexity related to in-store servers, computer networks, time-consuming setup and maintenance goes away. Simply download the app. It talks to the "brains" of the system located within the cloud, and therefore the store can start taking orders. Updates are pushed to devices from the cloud.

Flexibility

Cloud POS can often be adopted piecemeal consistent with need and budget. An existing solution that gives a seamless upgrade to cloud POS could also be an option worth considering.

Beyond the Software, Consider the Provider Carefully

Merchants often complain about their POS. this is often likely thanks to providers failing to be aware of customer needs. A cloud-based POS — if it's written in modern, cloud-native programming languages — enables the provider to be more aware of the requirements and needs of merchants. That’s because cloud POS is provided as a service, and therefore the provider can develop and release new features more quickly than was possible with client-server POS. The value of a stable partner can't be overstated. Client-server POS took decades to succeed in the extent of functionality, scalability and reliability that it's at today. POS partners got to be stable and profitable because they’ll endure considerable expense developing and sustaining cloud POS projects.

Software updates are finished you

Cloud POS requires an ongoing internet connection to function, so it’s vital the touchscreen till features a decent Wi-Fi or mobile network connection. Some applications have the capacity to figure offline, then sync the new data to the cloud when back online. Software updates are done automatically by the provider – just confirm you’re using the newest version of the app.

On-site POS systems function without an online connection. Instead, they require a physical server (for instance, a computer hard drive) found out on your business premises. Periodical software updates got to be done either manually by yourself or professionally by an IT engineer on your premises.