mPOS

INTRODUCTION
 Created over 20 years ago, the first point of sale (POS) system allowed restaurants to process
and record orders with incredible efficiency. As the technology evolved, the POS became the
control centre for every restaurant, an essential database of transactional data that we know
today.

Today's consumers expect their favourite restaurants to keep pace with their smartphones,
affording them an immediate and engaging dining experience. Confirming this, 
73% of people say that technology improves the dining experience.

To better satisfy and retain customers, restaurateurs are reaching for the next wave of
innovation restaurant management software.
What is mPOS ?
 An mPOS or mobile POS is a portable
point of sale on a smartphone or tablet that
functions as a register. A mobile POS
system is an ideal way for businesses such
as food trucks, home and repair services,
market vendors, etc. to take credit card
payments on the go.
 mPOS is useful for businesses that will take transactions on
the go. For example, any business, from market vendors to
food trucks, that would interact with customers from
anywhere outside the organizations' geographic location
would find mPOS useful.
 Implementation Of mPOS
 Toimplement an mPOS, a business
needs an internet connection, a credit
and debit card reader, and an
application downloaded to whatever
device it wants to use for the
transactions.
 A user can then download a POS app and
connect the reader to their mobile device.
An mPOS can also be paired with
additional POS hardware like a barcode
scanner and a cash drawer.
 Traditional POS
 A traditional POS software, also known as on-premise or
legacy POS, is a system where the data is stored on local
servers. It runs on closed networks.
 TraditionalPOS, for comparison, will use a desktop or tablet,
a cash drawer, receipt printer, credit card machine and
scanner.
 The traditional system has a lot of disadvantages,
including its lack of flexibility.
 It requires a physical store to be open all the time, and it
does not have an updated security system. 
 How Does An mPOS Work!?
 Any smartphone or tablet can be transformed
into an mPOS with a downloadable mobile app.
Typically, when a business owner registers with
an app, the vendor sends the business owner a
card reader that plugs into the mobile device's
audio jack to process debit/credit cards.
 Some mPOS software vendors also
provide optional hand-held docking
stations called sleds that enable the
mobile device to read barcodes and print
receipts.
 Advantages Of mPOS
 Improve operational efficiency: They lead to faster
processing , improves accuracy of orders as also
greater efficiency in customer checkout , all
adding to a business operational efficiency.
 Digital receipts: With the ability to offer email
receipts to consumers it enhances convenience.
 Easy to implement: With low infrastructure cost and hence low entry
barriers , it is an option that works well even for merchants with low
transactions volume. Typically a merchant only needs an mobile phone
while the other requirements are given by vendor in a turnkey manner.
 They are ideal for situations where the billing facility is needed on
ground: Whether it is restaurants , trade shows, flea markets or even
traditional showrooms where the mobility of the point of sale is required.
mPOS are coming to great use.
 High on security: With the data not being stored on the
reader , the chances of data theft eliminated . Also as it
takes away the scope of physical theft as it significantly
reduces cash transactions.
 Disadvantages of mPOS
 Cybersecurity Risks: mPOS systems handle critical customer
information and payment details. Businesses that deploy mPOS
systems face the concern of data security. The increased use of
mobile devices has made them primary targets of cyberattacks.
Businesses have to ensure the security of their mPOS devices
and protect them from hackers and data leakage.
 Need For Constant Tech Support: What happens when one of your mPOS devices runs
into a technical error?  Not all businesses have an on-site IT team to resolve technical
errors instantly. The inability to resolve technical issues quickly can lead to a major loss of
sales. It is important for businesses to anticipate such situations and be ready with a
contingency plan. 
 Device Fragility: Moving around with mPOS devices means that they have to sustain
harsh environments. Tablets or smartphones turned into mPOS systems are not durable
enough to withstand such changing terrains. mPOS systems need to be protected from
factors such as dirt, water, breakage, etc. . This presents an added responsibility for the
businesses.
 High Costs: There’s a lot that goes into maintaining mPOS
systems. Investing in dedicated mPOS devices or mPOS
software to turn your smartphone or tablets into mPOS systems.
Investing in security solutions to protect your devices and data
from cyber risks. Businesses have to make considerable
investments from the large initial purchase costs to continual
management costs.
Types Of mPOS
 Ranging from tablet-based systems to more
complex types such as terminal-based ones, there
are different kinds of mobile POS you can
implement.

Tablet- Phone- Termina POS

based based l-based
systems
kiosks
systems system
 Tablet – Based Systems
 Tablet-based POS systems function exactly like a typical POS system,
but run on a tablet, like an iPad. You can connect the tablet to a cash
register, barcode scanner, receipt printer, or kitchen ticket printer. The
system will run using your restaurant's Wi-Fi. Many of these systems are
easy to install and update right over the internet. They are perfect for a
restaurant with a full kitchen and multiple servers or hosts.
 Phone- Based Systems
 These systems are ideal for mobile businesses like food trucks.
Users plug a card reader into the phone, run the POS system, and
quickly check out customers using Wi-Fi or phone data. This is
not a great fit if you don't have unlimited data but perfect if you
don't need a lot of hardware or don't have a lot of space for a
complete POS station.
 Terminal- Based System
 Terminal-based systems are all-in-one mobile POS systems that don't
require a phone or tablet. The terminal itself runs the POS software and
contains a card reader.  (The Square Terminal, for instance, has a
handheld option.) Small or mobile businesses benefit from these
systems, as do restaurants that want to try tableside ordering. This lets
servers place orders, and take payment without leaving a guest's table.
 POS Kiosks
 POS kiosks allow customers to place an order without interacting
with a server or cashier. Kiosks usually consist of a tablet with a
card reader placed at the front of the restaurant or on each table.
Customers then order and pay using the kiosk, and the order is sent
directly to the kitchen.
 CONCLUSION
 Mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) systems are the wave of the future. Adoption of 
mobile POS systems is growing year-over-year by 15.5%, according to 
recent trends.
 The portability and ease of use make them increasingly attractive to retailers and
restaurateurs. The lack of reliance on hardware certainly doesn't hurt.