fbpx [vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]As a retailer, your technology is incredibly important to running a successful business. Whether you’re using customer data to deliver personalized messages to your shoppers, or looking up inventory for a customer on the sales floor, having a system that works for you is a crucial part of your business. When it comes to choosing a POS and inventory management system, you want to make sure you have a partner with all the functions you need. We know that finding that perfect partner can be a challenge, that’s why we want to help you identify the top questions that can help you identify if a POS provider is right for your business.

What industries do you service?

You’re not a cupcake shop, so why would you use a POS system that was built for one? As a footwear or apparel retailer, it’s incredibly important to find a system that can support the way you do business. A system that boasts a one-size-fits-all model doesn’t give you the functionality you need to run your business. Finding a solution built for your industry means you’ll have all the functionality you need to run your store and is a proven solution for other retailers like you.

Are you cloud-based?

When it comes to how your POS system is hosted, it’s important to ask if a provider is an installed solution or is cloud-based. Installed solutions may seem like a one-time expense, but the reality is they can cost a lot more over the course of time. Installed solutions require servers that need to be maintained and lack ongoing support and software updates. With a cloud-hosted solution, you eliminate costly servers and ongoing maintenance, and move to a solution that is constantly being updated and supported. Additionally, cloud-hosting gives you the ability to access your data from anywhere so you’re not longer chained to your store when making business decisions.

What is your support model?

As you’re evaluating systems, it’s necessary to ask about your access to support. Is ongoing support an added cost or is it included with your basic contract? You want to go with a provider who not only gives you access to unlimited support, but also includes education as part of their support model. Whether education comes in the form of webinars or training guides, it’s nice to know you’ll be able to continue education and training on your own time. Thinking about switching your POS? Download our free guide to learn more about choosing the right POS for your business.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]