07/25/2021
Are web-based tablet systems the new touch screen?
I’ve seen a lot happen to the point-of-sale industry over the last thirty years. When I first started working in this industry, the big change was touch screens were replacing keyboards. I remember the “industry experts” saying touch screens will never last. At the time, I thought to myself, you guys are wrong, touch screens are easier to use, and they will replace keyboards. Yes, I was one of those irritating newly degreed know-it-alls. But, despite that, I was mostly right.
Just like the touch screen, tablets that run point-of-sale applications through the internet are one of my industry’s newest changes. And its popularity has increased in the last couple of years, with more and more companies offering tablet pos. So, is it the new touch screen? Maybe.
Allow me to explain my ambiguity by explaining my “keyboard to touch screen” example briefly and with a little more detail. Touch screens are easier to use than keyboards in many ways. However, suppose you’re tallying large quantities of numbers. In that case, you still use a keyboard calculator instead of the calculator on your phone because it’s faster and more accurate. Similarly, large amounts of computer data input require a keyboard to be more efficient. Although touch screens are slower and less accurate than keyboards, it did take over point-of-sale in about five years. Of course, there are many reasons why it overtook keyboards, but the biggest was it created more profit by adding a new product to point-of-sale.
Web-based tablet pos is simple, small, and inexpensive. Yes, tablet pos systems are simple and, as a result, easy to understand and operate. But simple also means slower with fewer features than computer point-of-sale software. It is smaller, and I will admit many are aesthetically pleasing as a result. But, beware, small also means repairs will be slow and more likely, replacing it may be necessary for even minor problems. Now to the inexpensive part. The upfront cost for a tablet pos system is indeed less than a computer point-of-sale system. However, tablet pos companies sell their software through a monthly subscription. You pay a low monthly fee forever. I'll repeat the last part, "forever." So, no, it's not less expensive in the long run. Although, it is more profitable for the tablet pos companies.
So, if you are thinking of subscribing to a tablet pos system, here’s my advice:
1. If you’re starting a new business with little to no capital and you’re unable to finance a point-of-sale system, then go ahead and subscribe to a tablet pos system. If the tablet pos company requires a contract, try to keep it to the least amount of time. When your business grows, you will want to replace it.
2. Make sure your internet is reasonably fast and stable. Tablet pos companies will tell you their system will run a certain amount of time without internet, always half the time they tell you.
3. If your business has less than ten transactions per register during your busiest hour, a tablet pos system will work fine for you. However, companies with more transactions per hour may find a tablet pos slowing down their check-out time or table turnover.
4. Be sure that you use no more than three tablets for your store. More tablets mean more bandwidth used; consequently, the slower your system will run.
5. Please be careful of the add-on apps. Some tablet pos companies will charge extra for features like time and attendance and inventory. It’s easy to click on the additional feature’s app accidentally, and the next thing you know, your subscription price is doubled.
6. If the tablet pos you’re thinking of buying is linked to a specific credit card processor, make sure you get the processing prices separate. “Free pos” means expensive processing.
Web-based tablet pos is probably the next shift for my industry, but I am unconvinced it's good for you, the end-user. Many tablet pos systems directly link to only one credit card processor; thus, your ability to choose your processor is gone. So, if your credit card pricing goes up, you're stuck with paying it unless you buy a new system. Furthermore, your data is not your own anymore. Your company's sales information is controlled by the tablet pos company and, more than likely, your credit card processor. That scares me the most, considering how many card processors have been breached over the last few years.
Profit drives all industries; as a result, many, many tablet pos systems are available for almost every type of business. But, like the touch screen, it's not necessarily better. Also, like the touch screen, my industry wants you to buy it because they found a new way to increase their profits. As one of my college economics professors once said, "to understand if a product is good, ask yourself three questions: Is it better? Is it cheaper? Is it safer?" When all is said and done, you will be the one who decides if tablet pos is my industry's next big change.
