How do we differentiate our best POS software in a bustling market?
Who’s who
At CompuCash we endeavour to be the best POS system in UAE, EU and beyond by staying one step ahead of the competition. Not only does this process of self-reflection highlight where others fall short, but it also allows us to offer cutting edge POS technology and best POS software solutions in a highly fragmented market which some might call the most competitive in the world. Whilst we offer a globally acknowledged cloud point of sale system developed in the high tech capital of Europe, Tallinn, we made sure to develop special features for the GCC market to make it more relevant to the UAE, KSA, Qatar, and other MENA countries. We are under no illusions that the road ahead is long to be one of the best point of sale system providers ahead of the competitors in the UAE and the wider GCC region.
What is a Point Of Sale system?
As previously explained, a POS system is a cash register system that processes sales and transactions at a point of sale. A POS system is expected to come equipped with functions found in basic cash registers e.g. inserting items, adding taxes, creating/printing receipts and taking payments. POS technology is first and foremost designed to simplify a sale system, prevent losses, keep business under control, integrate business processes, and enable high-quality customer experience. The aim of CompuCash POS system UAE technology compared to our UAE competitors is to not only lead digital transformation in the F&B/retail business but also to provide user-friendly and affordable point of sale systems.
How can you tell a point of sale system is good?
The best POS system needs to be customisable, dynamic and allow you to tailor-make a solution for your specific business structure. Not only should the best POS system be friendly and affordable but it must offer its customers an open API environment to enhance their experience. Third-party application integration is also vital and allows the POS company clients to add in apps like table management, reservations, delivery aggregators, ERP & CRM systems like Microsoft dynamics technology, Oracle Net Suite in addition to accounting applications like Quickbooks and Sage. Whilst many different POS software options will allow you to get the features you need for business management; key fundamentals must be observed in a dynamic market like the UAE.
These fundamental elements of a best POS system include:
Compatibility with different operating systems and hardware
The best POS system must offer its customers the option to operate the POS software on Windows, IOS and Android operating systems and hardware. Offering a niche iOS POS system is unique but it means you will only address a limited market segment whilst ignoring the bigger picture of professional business that only want to operate their POS systems on Microsoft Windows operating system.
Possibility to cut costs and offer touch-free ordering experience
A built-in QR code and digital e-menu to allow clients to offer touch-free ordering experience for clients which ultimately offer them new ways to cut their costs and invest in the right corners of the business.
Possibility to use different integrated management systems and key features
The integrated inventory management systems and purchase management features provided by the POS can become the lifeblood of businesses such as retail stores and restaurants.
An essential feature that is linked to inventory management is a purchase management system which should be integrated into the POS to offer the users full oversight of their transactions in addition to managing costs more efficiently.
Recipe management system is an option to aid the culinary staff of restaurants using the POS.
Having a POS with built in CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and loyalty programs greatly aids businesses such as gyms or retail outlets that favor repeat business. It is also an essential features for small cafes and homegrown small business that value building loyalty.
Having access to graphical table management is invaluable in the restaurant business to ensure streamlined table and customer bookings.
Waste management functions are an useful inclusion for restaurants wishing to operate at peak efficiency.
Multi-Store management capabilities should be included for retail businesses that operate as part of a chain.
Team management options aid businesses that employ a large workforce and allow for swift performance reviews.
Safer ways to store data
A secure encrypted Cloud based platform for data storage with multiple layers of data backup to combat an unfortunate instances of data loss or corruption.
Possibility to work offline
The ability to work offline in the event of internet access or WiFi disruption.
Integrations
Limitless integration opportunities with third-party software and applications like delivery and accounting applications.
Integrations with banks via gateways and terminals greatly streamlines the actual sales element of POS.
Support team
It should come with 24/7 support from the seller in the unfortunate event of technical issues.
Local expert support is an expectation of high-value POS as it can be difficult to consult on issues remotely.
Suitable for all business sizes
A good POS must be ideal for all business sizes without extensive additional integration.
Built in Kitchen Display System
It should feature a built in Kitchen Display System (KDS) for restaurateurs.
Read our blog post about opening a restaurant in Dubai.
Best POS system comply with local rules and regulations
The POS should come fully comply to local VAT rules and regulations. From our experience in the UAE market we came across several POS systems that produce inaccurate reports of VAT which will expose the business to huge regulatory risks leading penalties and potential financial losses.
Create different menu groups
In the case of restaurants, the user must be able to build different menu groups, subgroups with multi-prices and modifiers to offer their clientele a positive experience especially those with specific dietary requirements like; vegetarian, vegan, halal, or kosher etc.
User friendliness
The POS UI (User Interface) must be user-friendly to ensure that all levels of staff can utilise it to the fullest potential.
Experienced POS supplier
Working with a POS supplier that has decades of experience (30+ years in the case of CompuCash) will lead to smoother POS integration into specific business structures.
Versatility
A POS business should be versatile enough to provide a POS version specifically tailored for retail store businesses.
Future orders
Future orders must be included to ensure that the business can operate in a long-term capacity without relying heavily on the day-to-day.
Built in reservation system
A built-in reservation function is an important POS component for Restaurants that interact with large volumes of customers on a daily basis.
Cutting costs through self-ordering
The ability to reconfigure the POS to work with self-ordering kiosks can be helpful for retail businesses that may not employ large workforces.
Email marketing
Email marketing capacities is one of the many ways a POS should aid small and medium size business via sustainable and cost-effective marketing tools to reach their potential clients.
Interfacing with phone messages
The POS should have no issues interfacing with phone messages for ease of customer use.
Sales reports
The best POS software should provide the enterprise businesses with clear sales reporting and metrics such as customer purchasing habit reports. These will allow businesses to review and improve their performance to better target key consumer demographics.
It must be able to provide real-time reports to the owners for later review.
Of the seven major POS competitors (UAE) we have identified, only five (Foodics, Sapaad, Revel, Iiko & Micros) offer POS features that we currently do not. However, there is no one POS entity that fulfils all 30 selling points established in figure 1.
Room for growth
We continue to invest in software research and development to address customers needs. The four main areas we have highlighted as ‘potential for improvement’ will help give us an edge over our competition. The areas are as follows:
Built-in Reservation:
To better support our partners in the restaurant industry, we must supply future versions of our restaurant POS system in UAE with built-in reservation software (such as the Microsoft Windows Hardware Kit) to help our restaurateur partners manage large volumes of customers on a daily basis.
Team Management:
We must endeavour to offer restaurant owners and business managers the ability to implement team and time management software to enhance their employee management experience. If we deliver on this, it will greatly aid restaurant and retail businesses that employ a large workforce and allow for swifter performance reviews.
Integrations more accounting software options:
We will continue to invest in providing retail business and F&B more options to integrate with accounting software of their choice to increase our customer satisfaction.
Integrations with Banks via gateway and terminals:
Future integrations of our POS hardware bundle (such as the iPad POS bundle for retail outlets) must provide customers with additional payments options and better integration with banking establishments & independent businesses.
Text Messages:
The point of sale software we provide in the future must be able to interface with phone messages for ease of customer and client use. However as widely known mass texts are illegal in most European countries and they might become illegal in the UAE companies must tread carefully before they rush to offer fully integrated hospitality POS systems with mass text messages.
A new challenger approaches
From figure 1 we can clearly ascertain that our closest competitor is the point of sale service provider known as Micros Systems. Micros POS, a division of Oracle UAE, primary diverts their POS efforts towards restaurants, hospitality, and retail. Whilst a strong competitor, their less focused approach to POS hardware gives us the advantage due to the broader adaptability inherent to our software. The potential diversification of our software is our greatest strength; however we must be wary of the years of experience behind this competitor if we wish to outclass them. Effective immediately we must endeavour to address the selling points we do not currently deliver on in order to provide our customers with the services they deserve.
Conclusion
Outstanding experiences should be part of every business journey, one that you should associate the brand with from the moment you hear its name. Point of sale is a key part of this journey that helps by combining different aspects of customer service to better help clients offer superb customer experiences, track metrics, manage sales, inventory and costs. The best POS system should offer all the functionalities of advanced cash register and beyond by allowing users to have a bespoke software that caters to their specific needs. Obviously, point of sale is software that can incorporate additions and grow alongside a business, in this way we can draw similarities with CompuCash as we continue to grow to offer cutting edge European technologies that not only rival the competitions but offer our clients something that other cant, namely the human touch and expert IT specialists. We must continue to diversify our POS selling points to attract the new generation of homegrown local small businesses and multinational brands alike . In previous posts we concluded that POS was more about providing excellent customer service than just handling transactions. In this regard we must follow the same through-line and continue establishing strong customer relations in order to stand apart from the crowd as, much like the businesses we aim to help, customers are the lifeblood of this industry.
