As a retailer in Singapore, your point-of-sale (POS) system is arguably your most important business tool. In addition to completing your checkout process with ease, it can help streamline your retail management processes. However, setting up a POS system can be overwhelming, especially for most first-time business owners.
From connecting the corresponding wires to configuring the software, the installation process can leave some stumped. And we understand how frustrating this can be. So let us help get your business up and running quickly by sharing a step-by-step guide to setting up your POS system.
Step #1: Launch the POS software
The first thing you should do once you receive your POS system is to run the software. If your POS software comes preloaded on the device, that is fantastic news! You just need to turn the equipment on, and you are all set. If you are using an iPad, you will have to download and install an application to your device.
Unfortunately, not all POS equipment arrives with the software preloaded. In that case, you must log in and configure your account. This process usually involves entering your business details. Fortunately, your vendor should provide detailed instructions guiding you through the setup process. So, consolidate all the information you require before following the instructions.
Step #2: Set up the POS hardware
Now that you are done with the software, let us switch focus to your POS hardware. The equipment you require depends on your store setup and will vary. Nevertheless, you would probably still receive several standard pieces of hardware like the barcode scanner, cash drawer, payment terminal, and receipt printers.
Thankfully, setting up all these pieces of equipment usually involves similar procedures:
- Plug in the device to a power source and switch it on;
- Connect the equipment to your store’s WiFi network;
- Pair the hardware with the POS software to ensure the two are compatible.
If any issue crops up, you may want to double-check the instructions your vendor sent over or call their helpline for further assistance.
Step #3: Create your employee accounts
Your employees will also be using the POS system, so you must set up their accounts too. The software will allow you to set up multiple accounts and profiles for each employee operating the system, which is convenient, as you can assign specific roles in the POS software based on the responsibilities of your workers.
You will also have the option to set user permission levels, allowing you to enable or restrict users from accessing specific features or information. For example, you may want your manager to have complete control over the software. Meanwhile, your cashier may only have access to the transaction screen.
This setup is an excellent deterrence against employee theft, as employees are limited in what they can and cannot do. For instance, you may set up your POS system in a way that requires the manager’s permission to void a check. This way, sneaky employees can no longer cancel a transaction and take a cash payment for themselves.
Step #4: Upload your product to your POS system
After establishing the accounts for you and your employees, you will need to set up your inventory before your store is ready for business. You can choose to manually key each product into the POS system if you only have a few items to sell. However, if you have a comprehensive catalogue, we recommend uploading your inventory information in bulk via the CSV product import function. Doing so can save you hours of manual product entry.
Most modern POS systems will allow you to import a CSV spreadsheet file listing every detail about your products, including:
- Product name
- SKU (Stock Keeping Unit)
- Supply price
- Retail price
- Product description
- Product category
- Brand name
- Supplier name
- Reorder point
- Quantity
- Variant details (colours, size, etc.)
Step #5: Set up your payment
Remember, your POS system is meant to help speed up your retail processes while maintaining maximum accuracy. So the last thing you want is to encounter connectivity issues with your payment processor, which is probably the most crucial component of your entire system.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to setting up your payment equipment, as the process depends on who your payment processor is. Nevertheless, your vendor should provide you with documented steps to connect your POS software with your payment processor.
This process is fairly straightforward if your POS system integrates with your payment processor. Once the payment equipment is connected to your POS system, all you need to do is access the POS system’s settings and add the correct payment types. If you encounter any issues setting up your payment processor, we recommend contacting your vendor for assistance.
Step #6: Connect your POS system with other applications
Your POS system can handle almost every aspect of your store’s operations. But to get the most out of it, you may have to lean on other applications to manage specific functions. Thankfully, POS integration can allow you to consolidate your software and business applications into a single system.
Most POS vendors offer a library of applications for your POS system, complete with detailed instructions on how to integrate the software into your device. Here are a few applications you might want to consider:
- Accounting software
- Customer loyalty programme
- E-commerce platform
- ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)
- Employee management application
- Marketing automation solution
Consider a faster way to set up your POS system!
You may find that an intuitive POS system can help streamline the entire setup process. However, the onus is still primarily on you, the retailer, to do the legwork. You may have to dedicate a significant amount of time to setting up the device, which may mean closing your doors for a day to get your POS system up and running. As a retailer, this downtime represents lost revenue opportunities.
Fortunately, there is a faster and better solution to this issue – partner with Suntoyo Technology! We offer a one-stop solution for all your point-of-sale needs. Our team can recommend a suitable system capable of scaling based on your business requirements. Now that you see how simple and stress-free the process can be, do not hesitate to contact us today for assistance.
