The 6 Most Common POS Systems in Fulfilment

There are many different types of POS (point of sale) systems available today, and for most retailers, they sit at the centre of the business. From taking payments and managing inventory to syncing online orders and handling fulfilment, a modern POS system plays a critical role in day-to-day operations.

The right POS setup can improve efficiency, reduce fulfilment errors and create a smoother customer experience across every sales channel. Whether you run a retail store, an ecommerce brand, a warehouse operation, or an omnichannel business, choosing the right system can have a direct impact on growth and profitability.

With so many platforms on the market, it can be difficult to know which solution is the best fit. In this guide, we explore the most common types of POS systems used in ecommerce and fulfilment, along with the key features and business benefits of each.

What is a POS system?

A point-of-sale system is a software and hardware combination that is the central hub for all transactions. Point-of-sale marketing is a form of in-store promotion or marketing campaign that occurs at the point of transaction, aiming to increase the number of purchases. POS is an essential feature for businesses selling something, whether online or in-store. Although, a POS system handles far more than just the sale of goods, it could also help with inventory tracking and data analysis to help provide a streamlined fulfilment service.

6 of the most popular POS systems

There are a multitude of POS systems to choose from. When you’re running an ecommerce business, every penny counts. You need to be able to process sales smoothly and avoid incurring high transaction fees. There’s a bit more to it than just choosing the best business POS system. Ultimately, it’s about finding the best ecommerce POS solution for your business and that’s where we can help at e2b.    

Below are some of the six most common POS types found in retail businesses today according to our specialists at e2b. 

1. 1. Self-service POS kiosk system – A self-service kiosk is often a booth that works across multiple sectors such as food and drink, education, retail and more. An example of this would be the self-service food ordering machine in a fast-food chain like McDonalds. The main use of a self-service POS is to make operations more efficient while saving money and manpower.
2. 2. Mobile POS systems – This POS system is exactly as its name suggests. Mobile phone and tablet POS services offer a solution for processing payments, with the ability to manage inventory and customer information. This type of POS can help you start running your business quickly and cost-effectively. You can usually download a POS app and make transactions from your phone.
3. 3. Desktop POS system – A desktop POS system is usually a computer using POS software and attached to a cash drawer, barcode scanner or card reader. The majority of desktop POS systems are customisable and can be tailored to your needs. They are common in businesses that have a high volume of in-store sales such as retail and food and drink stores.
4. 4. Tablet POS system – A tablet point-of-sale system is very similar to a mobile POS system. Essentially, this is a computerised system that brings together hardware and software components to manage a business’ sales operations. Like mobile POS solutions, they are portable but can also be used at a fixed retail location while allowing more flexibility. This type of POS system is a perfect solution for many retailers, food and beverage vendors and small restaurants.
5. 5. Online POS solutions – An online POS system is one of, if not the most popular POS system. This is down to its ease of use and also its low cost, due to using existing hardware and technology. This solution is often very popular with smaller enterprises and, just like the mobile and tablet systems, is accessible anywhere that you can access Wi-Fi or the internet.
6. 6. Terminal POS systems – Terminal POS systems are most commonly used by retail stores. They offer more features than mobile or tablet POS systems, although this does come with an added cost. This solution integrates well with other business software such as inventory and accounting. 

Throughout this article, we have explored what a POS system is and have given an overview of some of the most common POS systems used today. Whilst they all have advantages and disadvantages, the main aim when looking to utilise a POS system for your business is to find the best solution for your needs. This solution will often differ from business to business.  

If you would like further information or help on how e2b can help you with your POS solutions, then get in contact with us or visit our POS fulfilment services page.