Bar Point of Sale Basics

Point of Sale or POS is a popular phrase that refers to the location where a sale occurs. It is made up of combined computer software and hardware system used in processing the sale. A POS is what the cash register has evolved into and being a computer, it is a great improvement as it can capture, keep, share, and reproduce every detail of the transaction. It saves time and removes duplication of tasks as it improves the accuracy and efficiency of a company’s overall operation, from inventory, business reporting, customer servicing, ordering, and supplies.

There are many industries where a POS system may be used but it is quite popular in the hospitality and service industries. There are many different types of restaurant and bar point of sale systems based on capacity, functionality, cost, and other factors. At the very least a POS system has to be reliable and efficient at tracking each and every transaction.

The POS has undergone various changes from the time it was introduced in the late 20th century until the early 21st century. The first types of POS systems came out in the 1970s and consist of a computer terminal with a POS software program, a scanner for bar codes, and a receipt printer. In a retail outlet like a supermarket, there would be several linked terminals operating simultaneously.

Today, most POS systems are web-based, which means that the POS software is accessed from any computer in a hosted server through an Internet browser. There is no need to install a POS software because it already in the server. Data on the transactions can be accessed anytime and anywhere through a computer and an Internet connection. A new addition to web-based POS systems is the mobile POS, which are now very popular in the restaurant industry. A mobile POS is installed in a tablet-PC or similar hand-held devices and can be carried around by a staff to take orders or tally up a bill. POS systems have made retail operations easier and more efficient. These systems offer a very good alternative to cash registered that is why a lot of businesses have made the switch.