In the dynamic landscape of modern commerce, where businesses are increasingly expanding across multiple locations, the importance of a robust Point of Sale (POS) system cannot be overstated. A good POS system can streamline operations, keep things consistent, and ensure smooth integration across all your locations. For business owners managing multi-location operations, selecting the right POS system is a critical decision that directly impacts their operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and bottom line. Choosing the perfect POS system for a multi-location business is therefore a blend of strategic planning and a deep understanding of the technological solutions available. It is not just about finding a system that fits the business as it stands today, but one that will grow and adapt as the business evolves.
What Are Multi-Location Businesses?
Multi-location businesses operate from more than one physical site, often spread across different cities, states, or even countries. Examples of multi-location businesses include retail chains like Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Target, as well as service-oriented companies such as hair salon franchises, fitness centras like Anytime Fitness, and medical practice groups. These businesses face unique challenges, such as maintaining consistency in customer experience, managing inventory across locations, and ensuring effective communication and reporting. A robust POS system is essential for overcoming these challenges and ensuring smooth, efficient operations across all locations.
Why Do You Need a POS System for Multiple Locations?
Multi-unit operators require a dedicated multi-location POS system because it helps them establish consistency across venues, pool resources, and streamline operations. Perhaps most importantly, using a dedicated POS for multiple locations allows operators to manage day-to-day operations remotely across all locations from one centralized system, so they don’t need to be physically present at each venue to make changes.
The Top 6 Multi-Location POS Systems
Square Point of Sale
Square Point of Sale is a cloud-based POS solution for use with iOS and Android devices, or Square’s own point of sale hardware. The software allows users to manage customers, transactions, inventory, invoicing, and payments, with additional tools for managing customer loyalty, marketing, employees, and payroll. Square offers magstripe, chip, and contactless card readers for accepting payments via debit and credit cards, Google Pay, and Apple Pay. Square Virtual Terminal enables payment collection through a computer, which allows merchants to key in card details so that no card reader is required.
PayPal
The PayPal Here app is a mobile point of sale (POS) software designed to help businesses securely process debit or credit card payments, generate invoices, and record cash or check transactions. The application enables retailers and manufacturers to create and organize product lists and add details including photos and descriptions. Administrators can use the application to track sales, automatically calculate taxes as per the local rates, and generate sales reports in real-time. PayPal Here allows organizations to generate invoices with business logos, contact information, and custom fields and share them with customers via email. It also lets employees add, edit, or remove inventory items, include tips or gratuity in financial transactions, and provide discounts during the checkout processes.
Odoo
Odoo is a customizable, open-source business applications suite which covers needs such as customer relationship management (CRM), sales, enterprise resource planning (ERP), project management, manufacturing, inventory management, point of sale (POS), accounting, and more. Odoo is designed to meet company needs regardless of size and budget, and can be installed on-premise or hosted in the cloud. Odoo’s website apps allow users to build custom sites using a drag-and-drop editor. Calls to action, company blogs, customer portals, and other features can be added as required. The eCommerce app enables online selling through custom product pages and integrations with payment gateways and shipping carriers.
NetSuite
NetSuite is a cloud-based business management suite. It helps organizations streamline their operations and gain real-time insights into their performance. The suite caters to a range of industries such as manufacturing, retail, and professional services. NetSuite’s features include AI-powered automation and analytics that are integrated into every ERP process. The platform offers financial management capabilities. Companies can use it to plan, budget, forecast, manage accounting, and optimize cash flow. Additionally, NetSuite provides global business management tools. These handle multiple currencies, tax rules, and reporting across geographies and subsidiaries.
Key Features of a Multi-Location POS
While each system is slightly different, generally there are six core features that a POS for multiple locations is equipped with:
Menu Management: Operators can manage, update, and edit each location’s menu individually or make bulk updates for all locations.
Staff Management: Operators have the ability to manage their staff across multiple venues to maximize coverage during busy times, while providing detailed time-sheets and tracking.
Inventory: Operators can manage inventory, recipes, and order guides from one centralized location.
Payroll: Equips operators with the tools to manage staff payrolls and tips across venues based on staff time-sheets.
Roll-Up Reporting: This reporting feature allows operators to pull in data from multiple locations and view everything on one consolidated report.
Custom Reporting: Gives operators the flexibility to customize, view, and manage data for two or more locations within a consolidated reporting dashboard.
