Speed and Accuracy. Processing customer payments, according to Galit, should be done in seconds, as longer processing times will lead to unsatisfied customers. Mistakes should be avoided too, since they delay the transaction period. "A satisfied customer is our bread and butter," he emphasizes. "They affect our bottom line, so it's very important that we have the right speed and accuracy on the POS."
Cost and ROI. In the world of technology, systems obsolete quicker than the everyday bread. "An ROI of more than three years is a big no-no," Galit points out. Additionally, costs of operating the system should be manageable as well, "and should not exceed the benefits [of the system]."
Security and Control. There are instances when employees commit fraud by not using the POS system when recording sales. "If you don't have the right system, you can't trace that," Galit says. Preventing against external--but more importantly, internal--fraud is an important aspect of implementing the POS system.
Scalability. One consequence of a rapidly evolving technology is the need for systems to adapt to growing changes, POS systems included. "POS systems should be adaptable to changes need by the business, and to be able to do that, it has to be scalable," Galit suggests, adding that if information needs to be fed to the POS, it should be able to accommodate it, no matter the size or format.
User-Friendliness and Acceptance. Face it, change is inevitable. But inefficiently effected changes can lead to grave consequences. "People are used to the system they consider as their comfort zone. No matter how good your POS system is, if they are not used to it, they will resist using it," Galit says. By ensuring the user-friendliness of the system, management can effect a user buy-in for the system to be accepted.
Back-up Plan and Risk Management. Businesses couldn't afford having downtimes, as these so-called "technical difficulties" spell thousands of pesos gushing out of the company's pockets. "You must have redundancy in your server, because it's hard to be caught without a backup plan," Galit shares. "Your boss will likely blame you and ask, 'Why is there no back up?'"
BIR Policies. The Bureau of Internal Revenue is wiser now, according to Galit. "They bring in IT people to process accreditation applications, and oftentimes, they are the ones who are persistent," he explains. Galit advises potential applicants to answer questions straightforward about the system, and be prepared with all the necessary requirements.
Integration with other systems and devices. POS systems do not comprise the software only, but the peripherals and devices as well. Galit says it should be able to integrate well with touchscreen panels, printers, displays, and card readers, among others. "POS systems should also be able to integrate with existing systems, such as financials, because they need the data as well," he adds.
Environmental Safety. Green is the new black, so to speak. Companies often include sustainability agenda into their business plans, so POS systems should also be able to comply with these. Less power consumption, as well as less waste of the POS system can help the green efforts of the company.