The short answer: a POS (point-of-sale) system is the combination of software and hardware you use to make a sale — ring up items, take payment and issue a receipt. A modern POS does more than a cash register: it also updates your stock, records the sale in your accounts, and gives you reports on what sold.
How a POS works, step by step
- You add items to a sale — by scanning a barcode, tapping a product, or searching.
- The POS totals the order, applies any discount or tax, and shows the amount due.
- The customer pays — cash, card, mobile or a mix — and the POS records how they paid.
- A receipt is printed or sent, and stock and reports update automatically.
What you need to run a POS
- POS software — the app that runs the sale (on a phone, tablet, computer or dedicated terminal).
- A device — increasingly just an Android phone or tablet.
- Optional hardware — a receipt or label printer, barcode scanner, and cash drawer.
What a modern POS does beyond payment
The real value of today’s POS is what happens after the sale rings up. A single sale can automatically reduce stock, post to your accounts, update profit reports, and record the payment method — so your inventory and books are always current without extra data entry. That’s the difference between a POS and an old cash register.
Cloud POS vs traditional POS
A traditional POS keeps data on one machine in the shop. A cloud POS stores it securely online, so you can see sales from anywhere and add branches easily — while still working during internet drops. For most growing businesses, cloud is the practical choice.
Choosing one
A POS is most powerful when it’s part of the wider system that runs your business. RushFlow includes a POS that’s built into full inventory and accounting, with an Android/Sunmi cashier app and receipt printing — so one sale updates everything. See the live demo, or read how to choose a POS system for a small business.