Retail Point of Sale Software Comparison Chart

One of the handouts that I use at my point of sale technology workshop presentations:

Retail Solution Comparison
Cash Registers – variety of models from $500 to $2000. Optional programming, training and installation services. Designed for retail stores of any gross sales volume.

NCR Silver – iOS Based (iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch). $29-$79/month plus hardware costs. Designed
for businesses that need minimal inventory tracking (ie. Kiosks, 2^nd hand stores, thrift stores).

Microsoft RMS Store Operations - $6000+ for a complete point of sale solution (includes software, hardware, computer, hardware, installation, training, and ongoing support). Designed for single to multi-location retailers with only basic technology needs (no built-in email marketing, no integrated online shopping cart, no smart phone/tablet needs). Designed for gross annual sales of $400,000+.

NCR CounterPoint - $9000+ for a complete point of sale solution (includes software, hardware, computer, training, installations, and on-going support). Designed for single to multi-location retail stores with high technology needs (integrated email marketing, integrated online shopping cart, use on a smart phone/tablet computer, automated email or texts on store activity). Best for retail stores generating $750,000+ annually per location.

Function	Cash Register	NCR Silver	MS RMS	CounterPoint
Track Item Sales	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Employee Login	Some Models	Limited	Yes	Yes
Levels of Departments or Categories	Some Models	1 Level	2 Levels	2 Levels
Process Credit Cards	Optional	Integrated	Integrated	Integrated
Process Gift Cards	Optional	Optional	Integrated	Integrated
Customer Loyalty	No	Yes	Optional	Integrated
Track Customer History	No	Basic name & address	Yes	Yes
Scan Barcode Labels	Some models	Yes	Yes	Yes
Print Barcode Labels	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Purchasing and Receiving	No	Limited	Yes	Yes
Choice of Merchant Services Processors	Yes – with optional credit card processing	Yes	Yes	Yes
Multi-location Capable	No	No	Yes – full data	Yes – full data
Designed for use on Touch Screen Monitor	Some models have touch screens	Yes (tablet computer)	Yes	Yes
Multiple Price Levels (retail, wholesale, etc.)	No	No	Yes	Yes
Interface to Quickbooks Accounting	Some models	No	Yes	Yes
Quotes	No	No	Yes	Yes
Lay-aways	No	No	Yes	Yes
Work Orders	No	No	Yes	No
Integrated Online Shopping Cart	No	No	Available	Available
Smart phone “app” version Available	No	n/a	No	Available
Integrated Email Marketing	No	Basic	Available	Available
Text/Email Alerts for Store Activities	No	No	No	Available

No – Not Available
Yes – Available and Included
Third Party – Available through third party and additional charges may apply
n/a – Not Applicable
Some Models – Only available in some models
Available – Available and additional charges may apply

Are you in the US and in need of no cost retail point of sale advice? I'm happy to help and can be reached on my cell at 208-340-5632 (mountain time) or via email at kevinantosh@gmail.com.