Merchants who need point of sale (POS) systems for occasional use—festivals, street fairs, pop-ups or temporary terminals for special events, may find value in POS system rental instead of purchase. A POS solution helps you move lines faster and provide a higher level of customer service, so it makes sense to have an extra one on hand when needed. But while a POS system is good technology to own, these solutions are not a “one and done” purchase. They require long-term investment for updates to the hardware and software, which can really add up over the life of the system. If your business only utilizes an extra POS terminal once or twice a year, it’s better to explore POS equipment rental.
When you’re evaluating whether POS rental for events makes sense for your business consider these four things:
1. Embedded operating system
Employees will stay focused and on-task if your POS system features an embedded operating system. An embedded POS device restricts employees’ activities on the terminal only to POS-related functions. Since the system use is limited to POS tasks only, nothing can be uploaded or downloaded. No one can check email or surf the web, so workers aren’t tempted to click links or messages that download a hacker’s virus or malware into the system.
2. Work with an experienced dealer
When you’re comparing options for POS equipment rental, it’s important to work with an experienced dealer. Choose a company that rents solutions for your type of business, so you can be sure that any issue you’re facing is one they’ve already dealt with successfully. These companies are a wealth of information on what equipment you need and how to set it up. POS technology evolves quickly, and if you only use it once or twice a year, it’s smart to work with an experienced dealer that can train employees when new rental equipment arrives and answer any follow-up questions.
3. Does it have robust above store reporting software?
Having a POS system that can easily handle functions like scheduling, payroll, ordering, and loyalty platforms is imperative. Automating these processes means more time serving customers and less time on paperwork. If math isn’t your strong suit but you want to evaluate sales numbers, pick a POS system with an above store reporting package that presents information in easy-to-read reports and charts. Many solutions generate sales and inventory information and reports in real time, by the shift, hour, day, week, month, or year. The right above store reporting software will streamline operations and decrease waste.
4. Is the hardware sturdy enough to withstand the environment?
Stadiums, pop-up shops, and festivals are fun and draw crowds, but these are accidents waiting to happen for a computer system. There are some computers and tablets that are popular but impractical- — heat, dust, spills and high traffic make these units vulnerable to damage and downtime and you’ll be responsible for any broken units. For example, an iPad is a consumer-grade device, but nowhere near tough enough for busy work environments.
An experienced dealer will work with you to choose a system that best suits your needs and train employees on its use. An embedded OS and sturdy hardware will help safeguard the system from viruses and damage that you could be responsible for. An informed choice of which POS system to rent will provide the greatest value to your business.
