What is a Mobile POS System? Importance of Mobile POS in Business

Summary: Mobile POS systems work like cash registers to help businesses with quick and easy transactions. With mobile POS systems, companies can ensure quick checkout, easy identification, minimal setup, multiple integrations, brief customer checkout history, and cost-effective technology. Along with understanding the mobile POS system and its benefits, this blog will also highlight the importance of mobile POS in the business and online food industry. It will also discuss the top integrations to optimize mobile POS for inventory management and the best mobile POS systems.

Have you ever seen mobile POS systems in any shop? These digital cash registers are available at the click of a button for multiple businesses. The popularity of POS mobile devices is at an all-time high, and the POS mobile device global market is set to reach 42.5 billion USD by 2027. So, what is this technology all about?

Let us quickly look at the top advantages of mobile POS systems, followed by the details about actual business needs hinting at the requirements of POS systems. We’ve incorporated a detailed review of the revolution of POS systems in the online food industry and the main integration requirements for any business looking to invest in mobile POS software. We’ve also churned out a list of the best mobile POS systems to help large and small businesses grow. 

What is a Mobile POS System?

The mobile or tablet POS software works like a cash register. It is used for business types requiring quick transactions like market vendors, retail stores, etc. 

The main requirements for mobile POS solutions include a dedicated app, a good internet connection, debit or credit card readers, barcode scanners, and others.

This portable version of the electronic point-of-sale works seamlessly as the customer can easily register using the app. In addition, businesses get a card reader that can efficiently process credit or debit cards.

The additional features of these POS systems include printing digital receipts or reading QR code scanners. Therefore, integrating mobile POS into traditional POS systems or using it as a standalone device is easy and quick.

What are the Benefits of a Mobile POS System?

Source: Constellation.com

Mobile and fixed POS terminals use the same point of sale software. However, due to the increased preference among FSRs and QSRs, the selected segment will account for more than 55.0% of 2020’s revenues.

So, what is in the mobile POS app systems that make it an attraction for global businesses? Here’s a list of advantages that drive firms to fall in love with POS mobile systems.

1. Short checkout

The mobile POS solution eliminates the long queues and busy accounts team as the automated systems can manage the same. However, its slow service takes a toll on customer management and needs to be addressed accordingly. 

Including advanced inventory management and mobile payments ensures short checkout time for the customers increasing business revenue. Offering short checkout time is a top-notch solution to engage customers and make them feel valued. 

2. Easy identity verification

The mobile POS system can effectively add a layer of security to mobile device payments. During payment processing, customers can verify their identities using biometrics or fingerprints. This quick identity verification authenticates a person’s income and ensures that there are no issues in incorporating the quick-acting technology.

3. Minimal setup

The mobile point-of-sale has no dedicated hardware requirements. Therefore, it is easy to download and launch the mobile POS app and get a card reader accessory compatible with POS systems.

It is a highly advantageous cloud-based POS over the traditional POS that needs dedicated space, hardware, and storage requirements. In addition, mobile POS systems are integrated with cloud storage and are highly portable. 

Because of this, in 2020, almost 54% of businesses have utilized many mobile POS systems to accept payments and process transactions.

4. Multiple integrations

Integrating new mobile point of sale devices software with existing POS or other system software is possible. Many businesses have combined this POS with the sales, marketing, inventory, and customer service departments to get the best benefits of an omnichannel system. Different companies offer dedicated and affordable integrations for getting the best out of mobile POS. 

5. Quick customer checkout history

POS systems take a few clicks to show the customer’s checkout history, order preferences, loyalty programs, etc., to the business team. It ensures that the employee management team can present irresistible and tailor-made solutions to the customers at the right time. The sales team loves this feature of mPOS machine systems that gives them a quick insight into the customer.

6. Limits the business’s liability

The mobile POS systems don’t save the details of the customer’s credit or debit cards. Hence, there is no possibility of security breaches that may leak valuable customer information. As a result, the business has no liability for managing the customers’ cash register and saves multiple dollars in securing data.

7. Cost-effective technology

The mobile point-of-sale systems are highly cost-effective for startups and small businesses. However, traditional POS systems come with dedicated software updates and maintenance requirements that your team must effectively manage. As a result, it increases the upfront costs and overall costs of the POS.

On the other hand, mobile POS systems offer cost-effective operations with quick integrations and a cloud-based subscription. Thus businesses can increase or decrease costs according to the customer volume. Almost 61% of retailers considered getting cloud-based POS options for their business.

Does Your Business Need Mobile POS Software?

It is easy to get fascinated by the long list of benefits of a mobile POS system for any business. But, it all comes down to whether a POS is necessary for regular operations or not.

So, how can you decide the need to invest in this technology? It is easy to go through the following main points before convincing your stakeholders to get into mobile point-of-sale devices.

It is easy to get fascinated by the long list of benefits of a mobile POS system for new businesses. But, it all comes down to whether a POS solution is necessary for regular operations or not.

So, how can you decide the need to invest in this technology? It is easy to go through the main points before convincing your stakeholders to get into mobile point-of-sale devices.

1. Size of audience

The mobile point of sale systems are designed to help businesses handle multiple stores and customers. Hence, looking at the size of your current customers and projected growth rate is essential. 

Once the customers’ size is evaluated, it is time to find the entire staff management team handling them. If there are only limited or countable team members, then a business may not need to invest in this technology. 

Businesses with large team sizes require smooth internal coordination, like mobile POS systems in the online food industry. So, the first step in deciding the need for a POS app starts with evaluating the audience size and the expected users.

2. The correct use of technology

The mobile POS app works on radio frequency technology. This technology may interfere with sensitive devices located at healthcare centers. Therefore, it is vital to know the proper use of technology according to the areas where it offers multi-location support.

It is easy to learn about the mobile POS options, their operations, and POS features before deciding on the one for your business process. However, many large and small business owners work with sensitive devices or systems that may get offended by the mobile POS systems. 

Thus, establishing the proper use of technology is another crucial point in deciding on mobile POS systems.

3. The volume of digital transactions

The use of terminal POS software manages a large number of online lightspeed payments. The security of the payment gateways can’t be ignored while managing large transactions. 

Integrating cloud technology further ensures that data remains safe and is easily manageable at the business’s end. Hence, before going for mPOS machine systems, knowing the volume of digital transactions and contactless payments is crucial. 

Many businesses dealing with cash transactions may not simply require dedicated mPOS machine systems for business dealings. However, others having substantial inlets of online or cashless transactions can safely invest in this secure technology.

It can be helpful for any business to consider the above three points before jumping to introduce mPOS software. This quick guide makes investing in the new technology easy without worrying about its implications.

How is Mobile POS Software Revolutionizing the Online Food Industry?

The food industry is a growing business, and current technology brings in the power of online ordering. However, it has been challenging for restaurants and cafes to match customer expectations, especially after facing the brunt of pandemics. Therefore, mPOS machine software is a boon for online food ordering companies that streamlines the entire process between restaurants, customers, menu management, and restaurant staff.

Let us now go through some of the top features of a POS system designed for the food business only:

1. The quick suggestion of alternative food items if the ordered item is out of stock. The color-coding of upselling food items further makes it easy for restaurant staff.
2. Offers photographs of food items for long-term customer engagement through visual marketing.
3. Mobile POS systems for restaurants or cafés can work at just 10% of total Wi-Fi power and work in a great operations range.
4. Easy payments of purchase orders for the customers without sharing their credit card or debit card numbers with the restaurant staff. 
5. The use of radiofrequency ensures secure payments. In addition, there is a possible way to block the POS payments due to security configurations.

Many food ordering companies consider mobile POS software a significant investment and refrain from spending reasonably. However, it is not true, as ordering through the POS system is quick and straightforward. It involves:

1. Restaurant staff entering the customer orders in the system can be done directly through smart devices. Monitors or receipt printers connected to the kitchen display the order to the kitchen staff.
2. The kitchen staff can go through the real-time details of the order to initiate quick order processing. The team can then start with quick preparation.
3. The mPOS machine system uses the first-come-first-serve basis to prioritize incoming orders in events of high demand.
4. The notification of the ready-to-pick order is sent to the restaurant staff through the mPOS machine system.

Besides the broad advantages of the best mobile POS system, technology has powered the food delivery system. From taking orders from customers to collecting payments through an online card reader and offline mode channels, there is nothing that the POS system can’t do for the food business.

The best mobile POS system offers support to restaurant businesses during peak hours while maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction. Moreover, it can provide a much-needed push to the online food industry, especially after the covid-19 impact.

Top Integrations to Optimize Mobile POS System for Inventory Management

Any electronic point of sale aims to introduce automation in a retail business. However, it is impossible to manage your inventory without dedicated integrations for POS technology. 

So, here are the top five integrations that have the desired power and capability to take your POS system to the next level of efficiency and optimization for inventory management.

1. Cloud technology

The first and foremost requirement of any POS solution is storage. What else matches the requirements for highly flexible and scalable data storage than cloud services? 

The initial phase of the retail POS system for inventory management remains half automated only as it stores the customer data on hard drives and other hardware storage devices. Hence, integration with cloud technology is the primary requirement of any mobile POS software.

The power of the cloud eliminates the fuss of manual storage management and further improves access to data even from remote locations. In addition, the centralized environment offered by cloud services helps quick and easy monitoring of inventory levels. 

You can use the advanced reporting real-time data of retail POS for further analyzing and processing after collection in the cloud. As a result, businesses can leverage the power of transparency and reduce issues of false reporting.

2. Beacon technology

If asked for custom-made technology for retail stores, it is a beacon. It works on radio signals and sends notifications or other business information to the user’s devices.

Hence, any retail POS system requires seamless integration with Beacon technology for sharing offers and promotions to prospective and existing customers. In addition, it becomes easy for the customers to find a store location or route to the store address using Beacon technology. 

Retail businesses can leverage the potential of Beacon apps that work as acceptors and receivers of the information passed through these apps. Multiple IT services companies only offer expert Beacon or iBeacon apps for retail businesses.

3. Mobile payments

Digitization in payments is incomplete without the availability of mobile payments along with general credit cards and debit cards. While many in-store prefer to accept payments via mobile only, many buyers opt for cashless transactions for payment processing.

It is crucial to go for a secure gateway for mobile payments that doesn’t compromise with ease of transactions. Hence, integrating mobile payments into the existing mobile POS system can work wonders to provide accurate and high levels of customer experience.

Multiple companies offer QR codes and other mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal Zettle, Android Pay, etc. The advanced mobile payment technology includes contactless payments using near-field communication or NFC.

It eliminates the issues of forgetting PIN when you can accomplish the payments with a wave of smart devices integrated for NFC payments.

4. Omnichannel retail support

While discussing customer management, it is essential to know the primary sources of customer interaction. The channels of customer interaction are direct walk-ins and digital means. Hence, it is vital to integrate the mobile POS system with omnichannel retail support. 

One can further leverage the benefits of this integration to the sales operations. Additionally, any omnichannel retail support should manage inventory based on incoming orders.

Mobile shopping apps and other platforms are other diverse platforms for customer interactions. Some of these convenient platforms include eBay, Alibaba, Amazon, etc., that you can quickly integrate with your POS systems. The other concern is social media; many retail customers come from Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook, Pinterest, etc. 

5. Data analytics

Source: blog.knoldus.com

Retail generates piles of data that are valuable to the organization. While merchant services can’t leave the data-driven approach for making crucial decisions, dedicated data analysis is the need of the hour for getting deep customer insights. 

Data analytics is needed to evaluate customer and team performance with the retail brand. It is easy for any POS to get the best from data when connected to the same cloud. 

The data visualization tools further help project information in multiple appealing formats like infographics, charts, graphs, etc. In retail, you can leverage the other benefits of this data analytics integration by introducing artificial intelligence, machine learning, etc. This technology captures and analyzes data to bring customers the best of a business’s services.

The Best Mobile POS System Software

Fantastic mobile point of sale systems could work as a traveling POS system and countertop system. You can use a mobile POS app to add mobility to your brick-and-mortar retail business. 

With mobile point of sale devices, all business type owners can empower tableside ordering payments, accept credit cards, line busting, and others. We’ve churned out some of the best mobile POS systems to help you decide for your business.

1. Square

Source: squareup.com

Square is a common name among mobile service businesses and retailers owing to its versatility. It is also a good choice for quick-serve restaurants and cafes. 

A shopping cart and free online store integrations open up possibilities to sell online. 

To start processing with Square, you only need an Android smartphone or iPhone, a Square credit card reader, and an Android tablet or laptop. Square is one of the best POS for Android, offering a wide range of features and functionality for businesses of all sizes.

While Square’s free card reader is an option, it is better to opt for EMV/NFC reader because it can accept contactless payments and chip cards. 

But, if you need something more potent than a built-in payment processing and credit card processing reader, you can use the Square Terminal or Square Register. 

Features

1. Flat-rate, simple processing
2. Free mobile POS app for Apple and Android devices.
3. Robust set of features
4. Numerous mobile hardware options.

2. Clover

Source: clover.com

Clover has multiple mobile purpose-built and Android-based POS hardware solutions to choose from: 

1. Clover Flex
2. Clover Mini
3. Clover Go

Clover’s personalized plug-and-play POS is a favorite of small retail, merchant account, and quick-serve businesses. It can also support full-size restaurants and service based-businesses like eCommerce and salons. 

Clover Mini’s mobility makes it easy to sell on the floor, line-bust, and even outside the bounds of your brick-and-mortar store with a data plan. 

But, neither of the POS mobile solutions is suitable for a standalone mPOS machine if you don’t already use Clover Station or Mini. 

Clover Mini has a built-in receipt printer, swipe/EMV/NFC reader, self checkout option, and barcode scanner that can be used by itself or with a cash drawer using LTE, Ethernet, or wifi.  

Features

1. Add multiple features using the Clover app store
2. Numerous Clover providers to choose from
3. Mix and match mobile hardware

3. LightSpeed Retail

Lightspeed Retail’s iPad app offers multiple features. It includes advanced reporting, advanced inventory management, purchase orders, employee management, integrated eCommerce, integrated payment processing, multistore capabilities, the ability to buy items in bulk and resell them individually, CRM, reporting, and others.

Installing Lightspeed on an Ipad, your employees can take payments from the sales floor, cut waiting time, and show customers product descriptions and images. 

Lightspeed is one of the most advanced retail POS apps and the most expensive one. You can also use a web browser Lightspeed with a desktop computer. 

The company also has a separate iPad POS for third-party restaurants known as Lightspeed Restaurant. 

Features

1. Robust eCommerce features
2. Excellent reporting
3. An advanced retail POS
4. Works on desktop or iPad

Wrapping Up

A Mobile POS system is an automated system that offers an integrated approach for connecting multiple departments like sales, marketing, inventory, customer service, etc., in numerous companies. After looking at the main advantages of this technology, it is a suitable investment for all budding large business companies.

Any business looking to invest in the right mobile POS software can take the help of a quick guide to finding the best matching system according to your large or small business requirements. 

Going for the necessary integrations is ideal for getting the best out of POS technology. The importance of POS is inevitable; hence, every industry can benefit from POS technology.

Priya Naha

Priya is a seasoned writer with expertise in the SaaS industry. With over five years of experience in the field, she deeply understands the requirement of this specific industry, its techniques, and tools. Her articles, whitepapers, and blog posts are known for their clarity, practicality, and actionable insights. Priya also possesses in-depth knowledge of SEO and content marketing, which enables her to develop effective strategies to increase website traffic and improve brand visibility.