WiFi POS System: A New Way To Collect Customer Data

In today’s digital era, it is necessary to implement technology to cater to business needs and operations. In this way, business owners can stay ahead of the marketing game and keep up with the fast-paced business environment. However, this requires introducing changes to your workplace, especially by introducing a POS system with WiFi.

If you don’t know what it is, this article will delve into the world of WiFi POS systems. It will provide a comprehensive overview of what it is and how it works. However, before jumping into cashless payments, let’s grasp a basic understanding of the POS system.

What Is a POS System?

A POS system is the hardware and software that allow businesses to process transactions and manage sales. You see it at retail shops when you reach the checkout counter. Yes, it is the cash register, and along with it are the barcode scanner, receipt printer, and software. Together they are called the point of sale system, or POS for short.

Here are the two main components of the modern-day point-of-sale system:

1. Hardware. These physical devices are the cash register, receipt printer, computer, barcode scanner, etc. Some businesses may have extra equipment depending on the system they are using.
2. Software. Software is the application that stores all the data and processes every transaction, including cashless payments. This accounting application serves several purposes, such as: - Daily transaction: It records all the daily sales and purchases using various payment methods. - Inventory management: Tracking and managing inventory levels and reordering when needed. -Financial reports: Keeping a list of all the business financial information, such as sales reports, inventory turnover, profit margins, etc.

The modern-day POS system with WiFi offers various benefits, particularly customer data collection for marketing needs.

POS System With WiFi vs. POS System?

These terms are interchangeable, and there is no significant difference between them except for the WiFi part. The point-of-sale is the heart of the system, and the WiFi is the integration part connecting it to the internet. A POS system with WiFi offers the advantages of wireless connectivity. This brings extra features and benefits that the traditional system lacks. It enables businesses to process transactions and access real-time data anywhere. It eliminates the need for physical connections and provides greater flexibility and convenience.

4 Benefits of Integrating WiFi With a POS System

Integrating WiFi with a POS system has various benefits. Businesses that do not utilize the power of WiFi are missing out on opportunities to enhance the customer experience. Here are some of the advantages of a POS system with WiFi:

• Faster Processing Time. With WiFi integration, businesses can enjoy faster transaction processing times as data transmission is wireless and instant.
• Seamless Inventory Management. A POS system with WiFi allows for seamless inventory management, as real-time updates are possible from anywhere in the store. It ensures accurate inventory levels and reduces the risk of overselling or running out of popular items.
• Customer Data Collection. Data collection is one of the main advantages of using a POS system with WiFi for marketing purposes. For a successful marketing campaign, valuable customer data is crucial. For this reason, marketers use various methods to collect as much data as possible. A WiFi POS system is one of those techniques. Here are some of the data the point-of-sale system can collect.
• Enhance Customer Relationships. With a WiFi POS system, businesses can capture customer data to increase customer loyalty and retention rates. By understanding their customers’ preferences and behavior patterns, companies can tailor their marketing strategies to meet their needs. They can offer promotions such as personalized offers and rewards based on customer purchase history. This leads to a unique shopping experience for the customer. Furthermore, with the collected data, marketers can send targeted promotional campaigns, such as:
• Follow-up emails
• SMS marketing
• Mass email marketing
• Impulse purchase with POS advertising

POS System Without WiFi: 4 Alternate Connection Methods

The most common online connection approach is integrating the POS system with WiFi. However, due to certain limitations, pairing the system with WiFi may not be possible. The POS system without WiFi can still connect to the internet using alternate connection methods. Here are some various options businesses may prefer to apply:

Ethernet Connection

An Ethernet connection is a reliable and secure option for connecting a POS system without WiFi. It involves using an Ethernet cable to connect the system to a router or modem, ensuring stable internet access. Businesses that need a consistent connection for their transactions opt for this method. A wired network infrastructure is a must for an Ethernet connection.

Cellular Connection

Another alternative for a POS system without WiFi is using a cellular connection. However, this may not be the best choice for a POS system. It can be expensive, and the speed and signal strength are not 100% reliable. This is because the cellular connection is dependent on the coverage area.

Hotspot Connection

Another alternative is using a hotspot connection. It involves connecting the system to a mobile device that has internet access and can act as a hotspot. While this option provides flexibility and convenience, there are data plan limitations, and signal strength is also an issue.

Dedicated Network Connection

A dedicated network connection is ideal for a point-of-sale system. Large companies often use this connection to get their POS online. Businesses get full, dedicated internet access without other users piggybacking on their broadband, similar to a shared network connection. This guarantees a stable, fast, and reliable internet connection, ensuring that the point-of-sale system operates smoothly without any interruptions.

A POS system with WiFi is crucial for large businesses. However, companies can look into the above options according to their needs and preferences if there are connectivity issues.

What Are the Three Types of POS?

There are different types of POS available on the market, designed and developed to cater to various business requirements. The three main types of POS systems are traditional, hybrid, and cloud-based.

WiFi POS System: Traditional or Offline Sales System

Traditional POS systems, also known as offline POS, consist of the usual hardware sales systems:

• The cash register
• Barcode scanner
• Receipt printer

Since the system doesn’t have a WiFi connection, the data storage is on the point-of-sale system itself.

WiFi POS System: Cloud-Based System

Multinational companies opt for a cloud-based system because of its security and accessibility for data sharing. All the information, such as customer history, inventory levels, payment processes, etc., is on the cloud, which is a remote server.

This gives the company access to this information anytime, even if the POS system with WiFi has no internet connection. Apart from the benefit of accessibility, the cloud-based system also offers a few other advantages, such as:

• Real-time inventory management
• Remote reporting and analysis of sales data
• Easy software updates

WiFi POS System: Hybrid Sales System

Hybrid point-of-sale combines traditional and cloud-based systems, making it the best of both worlds. One may wonder what is the benefit of having the offline feature if everything needs to be online. Here are some benefits a Hybrid system has to offer:

1. It is not dependent on the internet and can work whether the system is online or offline.
2. If offline, all the data is on the system and pushed to the remote server after getting internet access.
3. It can automatically sync with the cloud-based system.
4. Businesses can resume payment processing even if the internet signal drops during a transaction.
5. This business is suitable for areas where internet signals vary.
6. Both on-premises and remote data storage options are available.
7. Modern point-of-sale systems offer a hybrid approach due to their online and offline benefits.

10 Best WiFi POS Systems

A WiFi POS system is excellent for businesses that require real-time data syncing and remote access to their sales information. However, numerous POS systems with WiFi are available, making it harder to find the right one according to business needs. Here is a list of the 10 Best WiFi POS systems, with a brief overview of each of them.

WiFi POS System #1: Square

Square POS is suitable for small businesses, mainly restaurants and retail stores. This is a mobile POS system for devices such as tablets and smartphones. It makes it convenient for customers to perform cashless transactions. Even though it is for small businesses, the system comes with all the necessary features, such as:

• Payment processing
• Store digital receipts
• Perform email and SMS marketing campaigns
• View sales reports
• Track inventory

WiFi POS System #2: Payment Depot

Payment Depot is for businesses that handle a high volume of transactions daily. It offers advanced features such as integrated payment processing with multiple payment options, including credit cards and mobile wallets. Payment Depot provides real-time analytics and reporting tools to help businesses track sales performance and make data-driven decisions.

WiFi POS System #3: Shopify POS

Shopify has launched its point-of-sale system that integrates with the Shopify online store. There are numerous benefits to integrating the Shopify online store with the Shopify POS system.

• Integration is easy. There is no need to study a complex POS system with WiFi and try to integrate it with your online store.
• The integration between the online store and the system is automatic.
• Shopify POS is an affordable option for store owners, costing $89 monthly.

WiFi POS System #4: AccuPOS

AccuPOS is for all business types in the restaurant and retail industries. It is a point-of-sale system and offers a few extra features that every business needs. The bookkeeping side of this system integrates with Quickbooks and Sage. It also has a built-in employee management system, which helps staff management.

WiFi POS System #5: NCR Silver

NCR Silver is a versatile POS system that caters to businesses in various industries, including retail, hospitality, and food service. It offers inventory management, customer loyalty programs, and real-time sales reporting. With its user-friendly interface and reliable hardware options, NCR Silver is popular among small and medium-sized businesses.

WiFi POS System #6: Clover

Clover is another popular POS system with WiFi and is a rival of Square. Both have their upsides, but Clover offers businesses benefits in two main areas: software and payment processing. Businesses can extend Clover’s features using free add-ons, and it allows multiple payment processing, which lowers credit card processing costs.

WiFi POS System #7: Lightspeed

Lightspeed is a restaurant and POS platform that offers a robust WiFi POS solution. It provides advanced features specifically designed for the restaurant industry, such as table management, an ordering system, and inventory management.

WiFi POS System #8: TouchBistro

Touchbistro starts at $69 per month, but for extra features, you need to purchase them separately. Some standard features, such as online ordering and marketing, are unavailable in this POS system with WiFi. If you purchase these extra services, the monthly cost can go up to $275 or more, depending on the services.

WiFi POS System #9: Rezku

Rezku is only for restaurants, and it is an all-in-one POS system. It is suitable for small and large eateries and comes with a range of features, such as:

• Inventory management
• Delivery management
• Online ordering
• Gift cards
• Marketing
• Loyalty programs

WiFi POS System #10: Toast

Toast is another POS system with WiFi for the restaurant industry. This point-of-sale system goes above and beyond to cover every basic expectation of the restaurant’s needs. Apart from offering the expected features, it also has the option to design menus.

The Best Software To Collect Customer Data

Looking for more than a restaurant POS systems with WiFi? Check out Beambox. We offer guest WiFi, advanced email marketing tools and more to capture valuable customer data and help you market your business. Learn more and start growing your business!

---