Three Habits of Highly Effective Cloud POS Systems
By Reggie Kimble
Decades ago, Stephen Covey’s book, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, examined the traits displayed by successful business leaders. Today, the categories of those traits – independence, interdependence and continuous improvement – can also be applied to the cloud point-of-sale technologies that successful businesses adopt.
1. Independence: Operates from anywhere
An effective cloud-based POS system should enable you to sell from anywhere. It should also empower you to manage your business remotely. Regardless of whether you’re overseeing a brick-and-mortar shop or a mobile business such as a food truck, consider a full system that gives you the independence to manage inventory, employee schedules and cash flow – on the go. That is in addition to a system that enables you to ring up sales wherever your customers are. Business is increasingly mobile. Your POS system should be able to keep up.
2. Interdependence: Plays well with mobile payments
QR payments. Bitcoin. And Apple Pay. Speaking of ringing up sales, 2014 was the year mobile payments started moving the needle closer to mainstream adoption. We do have a ways to go. But, as a result of increased adoption from consumers and a growing variety of payment alternatives, merchants will increasingly need a cloud-based POS system that offers interdependent integration ability.
3. Continuous improvement: Innovates at the speed of business
Now, that’s not only continuous … but highly effective, too.
-Reggie Kimble is director of business development at NCR Small Business and NCR Silver, a complete iPad point-of-sale system for retail shops, cafes, service providers and food trucks.