Best cloud based pos software for small business

POS systems not only range in their features and prices but they also have two entirely different types. Many retailers find themselves perplexed with making a choice between a Cloud based POS system or a traditional pos. Both have their benefits and drawbacks, and it will be unfair to rate one over the other. Their worth depends solely on the nature of the business. A traditional POS system might be perfectly suitable for one business but not so good for the other and the same could be said about cloud-based inventory system.

Traditional POS System:

A traditional POS system runs on closed networks and store data on local servers. For example all of our personal data are stored only in our personal PC and could not be accessed from anywhere else.

Cloud-Based POS System:

In a cloud based POS system, the information for transaction processing comes from an inaccessible cloud service. Cloud based Point of Sale service is also known as Software as a service. These are web hosted programs.they are present virtually but under lock and key.

Following are the differences that could be found between these two kinds of POS systems:

1. Accessibility to data:

In a cloud-based POS system, the data could easily be accessed from anywhere. So if a retailer wants to fetch the data of one retail store from the other then he can easily do so, in a cloud-based POS system. The retailer can even look at all the workings of the day from the comfort of his house. Moreover, the data could be accessed using any device; a desktop, tablet, mobile or a laptop.

2. Costs:

The initial price of cloud-based POS data is much more than the initial price of traditional POS system. However upfront cost of cloud-based POS systems and the maintenance charges are less-expensive as that of a traditional one.

3. Upgrade:

A Legacy based Point of Sale system needs to be updated manually and with additional extra costs. However a cloud-based POS system is updated automatically by the service providers and the cost is already included in the monthly charges.

4. Long term solution:

If the business is of the nature that changes its retail requirements and needs more frequently then the retailer must opt for the cloud-based POS system. This system can be easily be replaced because it is charged on monthly basis and the end user can go for a other service provider anytime. On the contrary, if a business is of the charecter that have fixed needs and requirements and doesn’t requires new features in the POS system more frequently then the retailer can easily work with its legacy counterpart.

5. Downtime:

No matter how good of a cloud service provider you have subscribed with, a cloud-based service is only as good as your internet connection, and web connections are trustworthy. Failure in service could end in downtime which can lead to dissatisfied and disgruntled customers. A Traditional POS System is reliable as it does not rely on internet and run smoothly with no downtime.

Cloud-based or a traditional POS system; no matter what the choice of you is but in order to get a high quality and various featured Point of Sale System