Point of Sale (POS) is a technology for financial transactions in retail establishments, for example, in a supermarket. A POS system includes the hardware and software used for checkouts, the equivalent age of a computer cash register.

The most important difference between a POS and cash register communication. When a client processes a transaction at the supermarket, automatic response includes an update of the inventory. If necessary, repeat a command to replace the element is processed, the tax record is maintained, and the system warehouse management is informed. The main component of a POS system is the computer. It is wise to use the POS computer only for commercial transactions, reporting and inventory control, and isolate POS computer use activities from general use. Use a separate computer to surf the web.

Systems are poorly implemented one of the main causes of compromised credit card data. A well designed system will encrypt wireless transmissions, and not retain full magnetic stripe, card validation code credit or PIN. All traffic over public networks should be encrypted sensitive.

Several subsets of point of sale systems, each of which is worthy of further study. Industry-specific packages are available point of sale for auto repair shops, beauty salons, pharmacies, cleaners and more. The food industry is well served by many POS systems different sales. Kitchen monitors are used to display commands and manage the operation.

Systems are often enhanced with wireless systems that enable communications. This allows servers to send customer orders for food from anywhere in the restaurant and can be used to make credit card transactions more secure because the credit card the customer is never out of their sight. A new trend in the point of sale, particularly in supermarkets, is self-checkout. In a system of self-service, the customer scans the barcode on individual items. In the case of a product, a scale is used, and the client enters a code from a menu. Usually some sort of validation is used to compare the elements analyzed with the weight of the product. Payment systems is similar to using an ATM.

The advantages of this system include reduced overhead costs for staff, and also reducing the time that the client should expect your order. RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a promising technology for self-checkout. With this technology, the POS process could eliminate reading barcodes. Since RFID does not require Line Of Sight (LOS), the client can bag their purchases as they make their choice, and no need to remove their items in the bag to make an inventory of purchases to compile. Integration of RFID readers in POS systems is not complicated. The interface is similar to a bar code reader.

Options include bar code readers, card readers, credit and receipt / invoice printers. POS systems are often provided with modules integrated accounting and inventory control systems. Reports can be generated to include sales, costs and profits per item, vendor, category, or period of time. The computer is an excellent tool for the retail industry. By joining the cash register with a computerized system well implement significant improvements to the operation are possible.