Switching POS software is one of those decisions that feels bigger than it is — and then turns out to be exactly as big as you thought.
Retail business owners: Take your time. Do your research. Make decisions only when you are ready. This decision is 100% about you and is best made by you, not a consultant, not your accountant. Choose software that is best for you. If you are not sure, wait. Make sure every claim, every promise is documented.
The actual switch is usually straightforward. The regret comes when you’ve committed to a new platform and discover something important you didn’t ask about before signing up.
Here are the questions worth asking any POS vendor before you make a decision.
About the contract
- Is there a minimum contract term?
- What are the cancellation terms and notice period?
- Are there exit fees or early termination penalties?
- Does the contract auto-renew, and how much notice is required to stop it?
About the full cost
- What is the all-in monthly cost — including every module I need?
- Are there transaction fees on EFTPOS payments?
- Is there a penalty for using my own payment processor?
- Are there fees per terminal or per location?
- What does onboarding and training cost?
About your specific business
- Does the software have features specific to my type of shop?
- Does it connect to the suppliers and buying groups I use?
- Can it handle my specific selling mode — weight, fractions, serial numbers, repairs?
- Can I see it running in a business like mine?
About support
- Where is the support team based?
- What are support hours?
- How do I contact support — phone, email, chat?
- What is the average response time for a support request?
About data and stability
- Can my existing customer, product, and sales data be migrated?
- What happens to my data if I cancel?
- How long has the company been operating?
- Who owns the company?
- How often is the software updated?
One more thing
The best POS vendors will answer all of these questions clearly, in writing, before you sign anything. If a vendor is reluctant to provide written answers or a real demo, that’s useful information too.
Tower Systems is happy to answer every one of these questions. We’ll put it in writing.
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