Point Of Sale Consulting

As an existing business owner or a budding entrepreneur you may already be aware of the many potential benefits of owning a POS (point of sale) system. With so many POS software options out there it is also quite likely that you find yourself asking, "What POS system is right for my business?" At Gravity Payments we understand that purchasing a POS is a big decision and our staff is happy help guide you in the right direction. 

A few things to consider

Place an emphasis on service

It sounds obvious but it is a point often overlooked. When you purchase POS software keep in mind that you are, after all, purchasing software. After your initial purchase you will depend on the POS software company to supply updates, training and technical support. If your system happens to freeze or go down in the middle of your business day you may need to contact their technical support department to resolve the issue. Therefore it is important that you work with a company that has a solid reputation that can help you when you need it. When you meet with POS companies ask them questions such as:

• Will I pay extra for customer support?
• What hours are your support representatives available?
• How long will I wait on hold if I call with an emergency?

Usability and Training

No matter your work environment, your POS system should be easy to learn and use. This is especially important in the restaurant industry where high turnover necessitates the regular training of new staff on the system. Part of being easy to use is having options to customize the system to the specific needs of your business. Look for a company that can build a system around your business - not the other way around. Remember, part of what you’re paying for is added business efficiency. Make sure that your system can deliver.

Security and PCI DSS Compliance

The PCI DSS, or Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards, were developed by Visa and MasterCard to ensure that card holder information is protected and uncompromised. A part of this program, PABP (Payment Application Best Practices) relates specifically to the software and systems businesses use to run transactions. As a business accepting credit cards it is imperative that you use POS software built with card data security in mind. Failure to be PCI Compliant, including using vulnerable software, could result in large fines. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Make sure your system does not store magnetic stripe data, CVV, CVV2, account numbers or pin numbers.
• Make sure that you have the ability to set passwords on the system. Do not use default passwords or use generic passwords that could be easily hacked.
• Ensure that all transactions are encrypted.

 For more information about PCI compliance, visit Visa’s website.  

Before you buy

Before setting out to buy a POS system, contact us.  Our sales representatives will take care in gathering your requirements, matching you with a trusted POS software provider, and helping negotiate lower purchase and installation costs. We will also make sure that your credit card integration is smooth so you can focus on what matters most to you. Running your business.