It can be a little intimidating trying to figure out how to get your business up and running with an iPad Point of Sale System. There are lots of different software providers or “apps” out there and sorting through all the options can be more than just a little overwhelming. Even if you do manage to get your app chosen, getting the right hardware to actually run your iPad POS can be a whole other challenge.
In order to dispel some of the mystery around POS for iPad, let’s break down the basics. Understanding what it takes to get a basic system up and running is the first step towards growing your business with one of the most innovative marriages of hardware and software around.
Where to begin? Chances are you’ve probably seen an iPad on a counter someplace. Maybe you’ve had the opportunity to even see it in action, to sign on the screen instead of a paper receipt; maybe you’ve entered your email address on one at your favorite stores in order to receive offers and discounts, or just to have your receipt emailed directly to you. Even if you haven’t directly experienced what an iPad can do as the center of your businesses point of sale, you probably know that doing business on one is going to be a lot better than simply using a cash register. So the beginning of your iPad POS journey should begin with the iPad right? Probably not, actually – we think you should start with software.
STEP 1 – iPad POS Software
The software or the “app” that you will install to run your Point of Sale System on your iPad is really where the journey begins. Chances are that when you’ve thought about switching over to iPad POS you’ve imagined at least a couple of specific things that you want it to do, maybe its managing inventory, maybe its emailing receipts, or maybe its scheduling clients. There are so many things that are possible with an iPad Point of Sale system but not every app does them all. Some apps are great at some things and others find their strengths in different areas. A lot of choosing the right app depends on what industry you’re in.
At POS Portal we specialize in knowing what works best for your particular business. We help hundreds of people everyday, and we know a lot of apps inside and out. But you can do some research too. Use our site to figure out what we recommend based on your business type and start reading. We’ve go to great lengths to gather all of the important features that each app has to offer and we always have agents standing by to answer any questions that you may have. So now that you’ve got your app chosen…what next?
STEP 2 – iPad POS Hardware
Hardware is the next step. Finally, you can think about that iPad. It’s going to be sitting there on your counter, but what is it going to be sitting in, sitting on? It probably needs to go into a stand, one that can swivel around so that customers can sign on the screen, and you may want to sit it right on top of your cash drawer, or maybe mount your cash drawer under the counter and put the iPad on the counter. Either way works, but it helps to visualize how the equipment will actually be positioned within your store.
Most people get a receipt printer to accompany their iPad POS System, so knowing where that will go is also important. The Printer needs power so it’s going to need to be plugged in. in many cases the printer actually connects to the cash drawer, so thinking about running a cable between the two is often important. Many restaurants also need a kitchen printer too, so knowing where that will go and how it will connect is something you will want to consider. The good news is that you don’t have to worry about what parts will go with what, we’ve done the hard work for you.
Once you’ve picked your software, we’ll show you exactly what hardware components will work with your software and your specific use case. Maybe you want a barcode scanner so that you don’t have to type in SKUs when you’re ringing customers up, there can be lots to choose from, and they all “look” basically the same, don’t worry’ we’ll get you the right one for your store.
So there you have it, to get started with iPad POS it really isn’t more than a 2 step process. Pick your software, get your hardware. Sure, there are lots of things to consider when choosing the software, but we’ve taken the guesswork out of it. You don’t need to do all the research, don’t need to visit dozens of websites, don’t need to spend hours sifting through the internet to find out what it’s going to take to get your business started with POS for iPad, we’ve done it for you…
Want more information? We’re happy to help. Contact Us here.