Developed by IBM in the early 1970’s, POS systems were created to help retailers to control inventory and track sales. Before this ground-breaking technology was launched, all retail inventory and sales control in was performed manually.
As well as being extremely time-consuming for employees, human errors occurred resulting in increased costs. Employees could not match inventory reports with the list of products sold at the same time, which often caused stock products to be sell out.
Retailers also were not able to monitor segment trends in which they fell into, and it was virtually impossible to trace competitors moves in a reliable fashion.
After POS systems were launched, the speed to process information increased so it forced all further developments to deliver more speed, control and analysis.
Years went by and today we have a very high demand information control, such as sold products analysis, closed sales, cash, tax transactions, purchase channels integration, among other strategic data management.
The new generation of consumers and managers are “information craving”, and technology providers challenges are to meet these goals in a fast and reliable fashion. A key issue for the development of new tools is the generation of Millennials, which are highly connected to technology.
To meet the expectations of all these stakeholders, we need to have points of contact and different interfaces to make purchase a unique moment. See how traditional POS evolved and what has been offered to consumers in the following segments:
• Fashion
PDV mobile;
POS Mobile
Modern day consumers do a lot of research before buying and sometimes refrain from going to a physical store in order to buy a product due to the convenience of buying a product through e-commerce. On account of this new demand it is important that the marks have competitive edges that make purchase experience unique, regardless of channel.
In addition to the research done by consumers, another factor that may give cause to loss of sales is the time required to account for inventory items, and in many cases the lack of product in a given color, numbering or model.
The great challenge of retailers nowadays is being able to work with an inventory that meets consumers’ needs, but without huge amounts of items that run the risk of remain stuck in shelf.
Some technologies can add and deliver a solution to the most common issues faced by retailers: Product shortage, excessive time in checking inventory and loss of sales.
Currently we can find Mobile POS options that enables you to check all store chain inventory using a smartphone, either in store, e-commerce, or distribution center, so that the customers are not left alone, and to avoid the customer leaving the store without the product he or she came to look for. Also to improve customer satisfaction at time of purchase, in case some of the products chosen are not available in store, you can sell units available in e-commerce stock, make one payment at the time of purchase, and deliver the item directly to consumer’s home.
Meet Linx Mobility applications at the point of sale: Linx Mob Checkout and Linx Showroomer
RFID e self-service
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a technology that has been widespread on a fast pace. It consists of detecting, tracking and managing products without contact and without the need of a visual field. Leading fashion retailers already uses this technology as a competitive edge to control its inventory, sales and even garment returns.
Using RFID all items monitoring is performed in real time and you don´t need to attach electronic antitheft tags to items since all product information – such as color, size, type, and collection – are located within the label.
Another great advantage of this technology is the possibility of installing a POS fully accessible to the end user, so that he or she can shop around without the need of a salesperson.
After selecting the items, the customer goes to the POS, place the item on panel comprising of several sensors capable of scanning the tag codes, and the items selection appears automatically on the screen (type, color, size and price). Consumer checks the corrected item purchased, chooses the payment method and checks out, totally without the help of a salesperson.
Garment items alarms are disabled on the POV itself, then item “write off” from inventory occurs, as well as the number of stored parts, all performed in real time to the store owner.
To learn more about Linx integrated RFID solutions for retail, click here.
Controlling all products in an optical store chain and meet specific industry requirements – laboratory, revenues, among other things – it is enough to make retailers lose their sleep.
Today we can have all this control in PDV in the fastest way! In addition to the product inventory controls and lenses specifications, the customer must be exclusive throughout the chain.
Understanding the customer in a particular way is what differs it from other stores so that it can deliver a customized service. Using a unified register, we can check purchases made, understand customer’s preferences, what makes services and promotions more distinctive and effective.
POS Mobile
To fit modern styles of living and eating outside the home, which is an ever-growing trend, POS systems for Food Services also had to undergo major changes.
Having only 1 hour to have lunch consumers do not want to waste time in long queues: here is another challenge for retailers. The technologies in this area are used in order to streamline buying process and speed up meal time.
Mobile technology plays a key role in fast food and restaurants during busy hours, and one of its functions is commonly known as “line catchers” (papa fila). Using this application you can select your orders along the line – before reaching conventional cashier, send them to kitchen – expediting the preparation – and, in some cases, you can even pay using the same mobile system.
All this POS evolution contributes to make buying food products fit your actual needs, that is, saving resources and avoiding wasting of food selections that are not the chief brands.
Learn more about Linx Degust Mobile and see how to improve your performance and reduce lines.
Consumer’s apps
Applications are now a fad and have become essential for everyone on a daily basis. Food, maps, music, tickets, weather, photos, transportation are some of the tasks and hobbies we you be assisted with applications.
One of food service trends is the growing need to offer options for the consumer to customize meal selections as much as possible, ensuring a pleasant and rewarding experience. And, to understand consumers’ aspirations, nothing better than using applications capabilities that customers access on their own, when and wherever they want.
Some companies use generic applications for the area, including multiple brands and establishments, but the main trend is offering their own DIY applications to largest food chains.
This is a well consolidated trend outside Brazil, but we heading out in that direction. The greatest competitive edge of an DIY application itself is that the retailer can understand consumers and design promotions, menus, combos and even snacks specific to each region or target audience.
Add capacity building to all these benefits of brands that can strengthened and become reference in some aspects. Using some types of applications you can order on the way to the restaurant and claim it from the conventional POV – all meal “customization” and payment is made through the application.
The stored data is used as reference for that next businesses, so retailers can offer options that suit more specific consumer profile. These transactions add value to stores, turning store owners more and more experts in their own public.
Self-Service Terminals
A cultural fashion that is already practiced in other countries, but it is still taking effect in Brazil, is the “Do it yourself”, which is something else than simply buying a disassembled product and assemble it at home, that can found in some stores.
Self-service terminals (kiosks) has been chosen by some retailers as a good choice for rush hours. Food service industry has benefited greatly with this habit.
Using the kiosks you can reduce service time, offer meals according to customer’s taste expedite kitchen orders, and increase the average volume of sales (on the intuitive buy and addition of products or accessories which in some cases are not offered at the store’s cashier).
This is a trend that is only starting in Brazil and is already been in use by some retailers.
Learn more about Self-service solutions for fast food and restaurants offered by Linx.
Self-Service Terminals
Automotive industry is one of the most impacted with the current the country’s economy turmoil – dramatic drops in sales that led to courtyards full of vehicles has been the reality for many dealers.
Seeing these troubled times dealers who managed to generate a good CRM arising out of sales and car tune-ups already has some competitive advantage. Buying a new car may be postponed, but car maintenance is always required, which can compensate the drop in sales when the dealer invests in advertising and keeping in contact with former customers (loyalty program).
To bring more efficiency and time-saving to customers some dealers are investing in self-service terminals (kiosks). Using this equipment customers can pay for car tune-ups conveniently, avoiding files or without the help of a salesperson.
This solution helps to save money, improve customer service and consumer experience with the brand, as well as increase the average volume of sales by offering additional products and services.
To learn more about Linx’s Self-service terminal solution for dealerships: click here
Mobility
Something that is common for retail market a whole, regardless of segment, is inventory control. For dealerships parts inventory, maintenance, recalls, among other things, need to be always updated.
Today auto dealerships owners or car makers already have all this control on the palm of their hands. With mobile technologies users can reorder parts inventory and send the order directly to the automaker, manage dealership inventory, as well as managing parts logistic – if there is more than one store on the same chain.
To better understand consumer behavior satisfaction surveys can be performed after a service order is completed and try to reattract customers who didn’t come back to perform the necessary car maintenance. All these control tools, when used strategically, helps retailers to go through a time of crisis with a little more peace of mind.
Linx DMS Mobile streamlines dealerships customer service and provides managerial control, click here to learn more.
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There is no doubt that POS systems have evolved in all aspects during the years – look and feel, convenience, delivery of information and performance – but one thing we are undeniably sure: it keeps delivering his “promise” to bring control to retail businesses.
Currently this control is not related to inventory only, but often to chains with hundreds of stores and real time information. For years to come, what we see is that, beside control, the full consumer’s understanding of the system in scope will guarantee that more and more “customized” businesses will be on the way.
Sources:
http://cupomdovarejo.com/uma-historia-interessante-sobre-a-evolucao-do-pdv/
http://www.tecmundo.com.br/tendencias/2601-como-funciona-a-rfid-.htm