How to distinguish POS SYSTEM & Cash Register

How to distinguish POS SYSTEM & Cash Register

Businesses are always looking for faster, more efficient ways of doing things. For this reason, many of them have ditched their cash registers and made the transition to point of sale (POS) systems. In a nutshell, a cash register is a machine that records sales transactions, gives change and holds money. A POS system is a computerized system that handles financial transactions, tracks inventory, and records many types of business data.The biggest difference between a cash register and a POS system is efficiency and communication. When a transaction is processed at a retail store or any other type of business, the POS system not only records the transaction, it automatically does real-time tracking of everything related to what the customer purchased.For instance, if a customer buys a purse, the POS system will record everything about the transaction including the tax information. Once the information is captured, it is stored in a database where authorized company reps can access it when they need to.

Cash registers can be either manual or electronic. Unless you pass through a small town where the next filling station is 100 miles away, you’re not likely to find many places using manual cash registers. Most businesses that still use registers opt for the electronic versions because they’re faster and more accurate.

POS system is made up of hardware and software, it can be as simple or as elaborate as you want. A chain of retail stores and a small car rental service have totally different needs. For this reason, a one-size-fits-all way of recording data isn’t logical. Unlike cash registers, POS systems can be customized to fit the needs of the businesses that use them.