Four key considerations when choosing a new ePOS system

Coming to the realisation that your current ePOS system has reached the end of its useful life can be a bit of a wakeup call. Your first thought may be to go back to your original supplier and ask them for an upgrade to their newest system but that’s not necessarily the best for you, your business or your bank balance. ePOS technology is ever changing so it’s important you go to market for your next solution and find a product that really meets your needs, and your budget.

But how do you decide which ePOS solution is really best? In this blog we’ll take a look at four key considerations you must take into account when selecting a supplier.

1. Cost of Hardware

Hardware is typically the largest upfront cost when it comes to ePOS so is key to the decision-making process for most retailers. However, the old adage “buy cheap, buy twice” is definitely true so don’t be tempted to go for the lowest cost hardware in an attempt to save a little cash. Very cheap hardware is likely to cost you more in the long run in downtime, repairs and early replacement so it’s a good idea to prioritise quality over cost and ultimately benefit from a lower total cost of ownership (TCO).

At Saledock, we have carefully chosen quality hardware which has been rigorously tested to ensure it meets our standards. And, because Saledock is built on the Android platform, our hardware is inherently less expensive than its Windows and Apple counterparts. With trusted brands such as SUNMI and Star Micronics, you can be sure your hardware will run smoothly so you can focus on what’s really important – serving your customers.

2. SaaS or Self-Hosted?

Software as a Service (SaaS) is a software licensing model which is centrally hosted and charged at annual or monthly subscription rates. On the other hand self-hosted software is installed locally on your premises and is typically purchased outright from the start. Self-hosted ePOS software is much less common nowadays as the benefits offered by SaaS far exceed the capability of rigid, on-premise software.

SaaS solutions are quick and easy to deploy and highly scalable due to the nature of their delivery. Coupled with the fact that they don’t require an in-house server and provide access to automatic updates and SaaS is the clear winner for a modern retailer.

Saledock’s Essential Plan includes ePOS and inventory functionality, and is available from just £49 per month for your first license and £29 per month for subsequent licenses in the same store. Scaling up your business is easy: simply buy more licenses when you need them! And, if you want to increase the functionality of your system, just upgrade your license when you’re ready to do so to the Pro, Unified or Enterprise plan.

3. Windows or Android?

We’ve already mentioned that Android hardware is significantly more affordable than Windows hardware but it doesn’t stop there. Android was developed by Google and is now the number one operating system in the world.

All ePOS software is operating system-dependent so before making a purchasing decision, it’s vital that you check your selected hardware is compatible with your chosen software. The best way to avoid issues is to choose a single supplier for both elements of your new ePOS system. That way you can maintain a single point of contact and you know exactly where to go if you have an issue.

At Saledock we sell a selection of Android ePOS hardware, including bundles and will introduce you to our payment provider partners for excellent card terminal prices. And, when you purchase your entire solution through us, you benefit from the full support of our UK-based technical team for both your hardware and your software.

4. Integrations

Choosing your new ePOS solution isn’t just about the solution itself. Another key consideration is whether it will integrate with other systems you already use, such as your accounts. Don’t fall into the trap of being wowed by some great software, only to discover when it’s too late that you have to manually export sales data into your accounts package every day, or that your payments, email marketing software or even social media can’t be integrated. Every missing integration will lead to hours more work for you and your team as manual processes will have to fill those gaps in functionality.

Saledock integrates with:

• Xero accounting software
• POS payments
• Hubspot
• Social media

These integrations save our users time and money, and prevent costly mistakes which occur when data has to be manually processed.

Conclusion

When selecting a new ePOS solution it’s easy to get bogged down in features and functionality. While they are critically important factors, it’s also vital that the four key considerations we have covered in this blog are front of mind to future proof your decision and your business.

Saledock has been developed to provide an affordable yet sophisticated solution that supports a modern retailer’s goals and meets their needs today and in the future. Our in-house development team are continually creating new features and functionality so that our customers have the latest and most up-to-date solution possible - and always will do.

To find out more, why not give our team a call on 01904 405 989 to discuss your ePOS needs. Alternatively, sign up for our FREE 14 day trial and see Saledock in action for yourself!