Needs Analysis: Retail POS Systems

System Features

Want

Need

Dashboard View of Key Performance Indicators

PCI DSS compliancy (secure credit card encryption)

Customizable interface

Multiple locations

Multiple companies

Audit trail

Import/Export utilities

Upgrade utilities

Wide Area Network support

Training mode

Time cards

Point of Sale Features

Want

Need

Touchscreen interface

Sales and returns

Order processing

Backorders and special orders

Layaways

Holds and quotes

Offline ticket entry/lane redundancy

Ticket history

Gift registries

Credit/Debit card processing

Internet gateway credit/debit authorizations

Signature capture

Check authorization

Bad check tracking

EBT processing

Gift certificates and/or rechargeable gift cards

Store credits

Payments on customer accounts

Cash drops

Multiple currencies

On-the-fly data entry

Manager overrides

Ticket reprints

End-of-day processing

Drawer readings

Daily reports

Drawer reconciliation

Compulsory cash drawer close

Admission tickets

Group price discounts

Mix-and-match pricing

Graphical customer displays with point-of-purchase advertising

Age-restricted sales

Weighed items with scale support and tare weights

Commission tracking

Rentals

Inventory Management Features

Want

Need

On-hand quantity tracking

Multiple barcodes per item

Physical count

Multiple stocking locations

Transfers between locations

Retail kits

Serial number tracking

Lot number tracking

Random-weight barcodes

Weight tracking

Alternate selling units

Substitute items

Multiple price levels

Promotional pricing

Contract and special pricing

Location-specific prices

Markdown tracking

Multiple vendors for each item

Open-to-buy merchandise budgets

Customer Tracking Features

Want

Need

Loyalty programs

Customer cards

Detailed sales history

Accounts receivables

Credit limits and controls

Cash receipts processing

Statement printing

Customer-specific pricing

Purchasing Features

Want

Need

Multi-location purchasing

Restocking orders

Purchasing advice

Receivings with or without a PO

Accounts payable interface

Returns to vendor

Customer-specific purchases

Labeling Features

Want

Need

Item and customer label printing

Barcode printing

Graphical WYSIWYG label designer

Coded cost printing

Apparel Grid Features

Want

Need

Two- or three-dimensional grids for color/size/patterns

Cell-specific barcodes

Oversize pricing

Accounting Interface Features

Want

Need

Interface to General Ledger and Accounts Payable software

Payroll integration

Profit centers

Bank deposit management

Credit Card Features

Want

Need

Built-in credit/debit card processing

Internet gateway credit/debit authorizations

CVV2/CVC2

Level II Purchase Cards

EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer)

PCI DSS compliancy (secure credit card encryption)

Ecommerce Features

Want

Need

Integrated ecommerce system

Website hosting

Shopping cart

SSL security

Boutique stores

Reporting Features

Want

Need

Crystal Reports integration

Ticket history reports

End of day reports

Exception reports

Inventory analysis reports

Inventory valuation reports

Merchandising reports

Sales analysis reports

Sales history reports

Stock status reports

Vendor comparison reports

Other Features

Want

Need

Feature 1

Feature 2

Feature 3