Point-of-Sale Systems

Point-of-sale (POS) software and hardware have transformed the common cash register. Spurred by the PC revolution, point-of-sale systems changed the nature of the sales transaction, from the smallest mom and pop shop to the biggest mega bigbox conglomorate store. Sales data is instantaneously captured, as credit transactions are authorized and inventory levels are updated. As consumers, we often take these point-of-sale systems for granted, stopping only to grumble about them when they don't perform as quickly as we'd like.

When compared to the the laborious checkout lines I remember from childhood, today's point-of-sale systems operate in the blink of an eye. I nostalgically recall standing at the counter in the neighborhood hardware store, as the owner tediously wrote up each receipt by hand. And I remember the day I first saw a bar code scanner in action at the local supermarket. What a marvel of engineering!

It almost seems that when off-the-shelf point-of-sale computer systems began to pop up in the early eighties, all of a sudden, the cash register became cool.

In the early days of the age of point-of-sale system, Apple computers could often be found at the sales counter. As the IBM Personal Computer became the ubiquitous standard, Apple lost a great bit of its POS shine. Of course, there are still POS systems for Mac folks; PayGo POS and PlatipusPro POS are two that come to mind (both are also available for Windows PCs, as well).

Today's point-of-sale system revolves around the barcode. When integrated with a full-scale inventory control system, the barcode enables the tracking of each piece as it comes in and goes out. When an item is rung up at the register, the electronic inventory database is updated to reflect the change. For the shop owner, less work taking stock means better living through high-technology.

Windows POS system software is available from a host of companies, including: COMCASH, Intuit, iQmetrix, ProfitLine, Retail Technologies International, Windward, and many others.