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With hundreds of point-of-sale (POS) providers in Australia, selecting the right one can be an overwhelming task. In this article, we outline the key factors to consider when choosing a POS, and recommend some of the best providers for your industry. If you’re a new or existing business owner, by now, you probably know  what a point-of-sale system is and how it works . The next step is choosing a solution that is appropriate to your business size and industry. To help make the right decision, read our list of considerations below and make note of which ones are the most (and least) important to your business, so that when you’re in conversation with a POS provider, you can be well equipped to ask the right questions. Then, learn which POS providers are the most popular among cafes, quick-service restaurants, dine-in restaurants, retail businesses, and bars and clubs. Important considerations when choosing the best POS system for your business. Hardware POS hardware refers to the physical devices that make up your POS system. This could include any or all of: a computer or display unit, a receipt printer, a barcode scanner, a cash drawer, and an EFTPOS machine. While large businesses may require a full suite of hardware, many smaller businesses can get away with little more than a tablet or smartphone. Portable devices like Zeller Terminal 2 (which has a POS system built-in) are often referred to as mobile POS or ‘ mPOS ’, and they provide excellent functionality, allowing merchants to do everything from managing their inventory to taking payments all from the one machine. Software The functionality of the POS software will arguably be the biggest factor in determining your final choice. If you are a retail business, you may want to prioritise a robust inventory management system – this will allow you to easily track stock levels, anticipate when popular items will run out, and stay on budget. For hospitality businesses, a floor management system may also be required to manage table seating and reservations. Additional functionality includes sales reporting, for managing cash flow; employee management, for automatically logging hours and tracking performance; and customer relationship management (CRM), for collecting customer data and implementing targeted marketing campaigns. While these are the most common and basic features of POS systems, those designed for individual industries will offer even more specialised features. Ease of use Think about who will be using the POS system on a day-to-day basis. Do you have a high turnover rate of employees? If so, consider how easy it will be to train new staff to use the software. A simple, intuitive interface will greatly reduce human error, which, in a fast-paced environment, could be critical. Integration For most businesses, their POS provider cannot just work alone, it will need to be able to integrate into a number of different systems. The accounting software,  payments provider , and/or e-commerce platform you use (or are planning to use) should ideally integrate with your POS system. By enabling information to flow easily between systems, you will greatly increase the efficiency of your operations, saving you and your team time and money. Take note of what platforms a POS provider integrates with before making a decision, as this can become a frustrating roadblock later on if it is neglected. Customer support How quickly and easily you can contact your POS provider is something that can be easily overlooked – but it’s extremely important. If you decide to go with a POS system that offers all the bells and whistles, but doesn’t have anyone to pick up the phone when you need help, this will quickly lead to frustration and potentially lost revenue. Check the provider’s website and LinkedIn: are their offices based in Australia? What are their customer service hours? Do they have a robust support centre with help articles and troubleshooting resources? Will you be assigned an account manager? Additionally, how quickly you need to get up and running is an important consideration. Many traditional POS providers require a technician to come out and set up the hardware and software, whereas newer web-based systems are often self-service and can be entirely set up remotely. Multi-location Do you run a multi-location operation or are you planning on scaling in the future? If so, it’s important to be sure that the POS software is equipped to deal with multi-venue requirements. Being able to push updates to machines at several venues at once, aggregating reporting from all venues, and monitoring stock transfers between locations, are just some of the features you’ll want to ensure your POS provider can support. Cost With varying pieces of equipment, features, minimum requirements, and pricing models, understanding exactly how much you’re going to pay for a POS service is not easy. To avoid bill-shock later on, make sure you understand exactly how each aspect of the service is priced. Are you buying the hardware outright or will you access it on a rental agreement? Is the software licence a one-time purchase or a monthly/annual subscription? Is there a cost associated with ongoing support and maintenance? Will you pay a fee each time a transaction is processed through the POS? Ensure you ask any potential POS provider all these questions before signing a contract. Best POS providers by industry The table below presents some of the best POS providers available to Australian business owners, organised by industry, with some of their noteworthy features listed on the right hand side. For a comprehensive list of features, be sure to contact the POS provider directly and request a demo before signing up. Coffee Shops Restaurants QSR Retail Bars and Clubs Salon Add and manage items via Zeller Dashboard or directly on Zeller Terminal 2. Bulk import an item library from a previous POS. Update item descriptions, images, prices, categories, and generate automatic SKUs. Customise items with modifiers such as add-ons, toppings, or special requests. Create product variants such as size, colour, flavour, or style. Customise grid to quickly access frequently used items, discounts, or categories. Instantly push product updates to entire fleet of terminals across multiple locations. Offer customers an itemised receipt via email, SMS, or QR code. Create and manage discounts and add descriptions for greater clarity. Understand what you are selling and when with detailed reports (coming soon). POS is automatically installed on Zeller Terminal 2, with no monthly or additional fees. Online and QR code ordering Partners with UberEats, DoorDash, Deliveroo, Menulog, Fantuan, Hungry Panda Interactive kitchen display screen to help streamline kitchen operations Smart inventory management and ingredient control to keep food costs down Order status screen to show customers when their order is ready to be collected Pocket manager mobile app Customer-facing display shows customer's order back to them before payment Centralised multi-site management for tiered pricing, products, menu, surcharging Integrates with Zeller Terminal Originally created for the fast-paced Melbourne bar scene Designed to work online or offline in unexpected outages Support teams available 24/7 Supports the creation of floor maps to monitor the status of tables Plugs into online bookings and allows you to add reservation notes Employee hour monitoring Generates stock variance reports and automates orders based on stock thresholds Membership and loyalty system designed for the hospitality industry Integrates with Zeller Terminal Developed by a team with decades of hospitality and retail experience Receive funds overnight with secure payments provided by Zeller Ability to enable or disable features as your business requires Focus on simple design and speed Support teams available 24/7 Counter, table, room, pick up or delivery options Free online store Integrates with Zeller Terminal Centrally manages multiple venues Supports orders from iPad, table, kiosk, QR code, food delivery and online for pick-up Loyalty system manages points, discounts, deposits, gift cards, and friend referrals Kitchen display allows you to fine-tune kitchen and chef workflows Automatically sends orders to the correct preparation stations In-built staff management tool to manage shifts and payroll processing Supports digital or physical gift cards created and redeemed directly within ZiiPOS Integrated bookings let customers book directly to the platform Integrates with Zeller Terminal Online and QR code ordering Partners with UberEats, DoorDash, Deliveroo, Menulog, Fantuan, Hungry Panda Interactive kitchen display screen to help streamline kitchen operations Smart inventory management and ingredient control to keep food costs down Order status screen to show customers when their order is ready to be collected Pocket manager mobile app Customer-facing display shows customer's order back to them before payment Centralised multi-site management for tiered pricing, products, menu, surcharging Integrates with Zeller Terminal Recreates your venue’s table layout with a floor plan Training mode simulates the POS flow without affecting till balances or stock levels Stock batches let staff record delivery of stock, with quantity, weight and temperature Stocktakes can be performed on the POS and sent for review and processing Supports conditional pricing that applies at checkout when conditions are met POS set up can be done either on-site or remotely Client Portal offers free resources and videos for staff training Support teams available 24/7 Integrates with Zeller Terminal Originally created for the fast-paced Melbourne bar scene Designed to work online or offline in unexpected outages Support teams available 24/7 Supports the creation of floor maps to monitor the status of tables Plugs into online bookings and allows you to add reservation notes Employee hour monitoring Generates stock variance reports and automates orders based on stock thresholds Membership and loyalty system designed for the hospitality industry Integrates with Zeller Terminal Online and QR code ordering Partners with UberEats, DoorDash, Deliveroo, Menulog, Fantuan, Hungry Panda Interactive kitchen display screen to help streamline kitchen operations Smart inventory management and ingredient control to keep food costs down Order status screen to show customers when their order is ready to be collected Pocket manager mobile app Customer-facing display shows customer's order back to them before payment Centralised multi-site management for tiered pricing, products, menu, surcharging Integrates with Zeller Terminal Hard-wearing kiosks, tablets, terminals, and displays that withstand heavy use Alerts customers when orders are ready for curbside pickup or on way for delivery Helps customers reorder favourite items and tracks purchases to deliver rewards Direct connection to Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Postmates, DoorDash, and others Realtime updates to menu items, ingredients, and prices across multiple locations GPS-enabled web app to automate contactless pickup Self-service kiosk hardware and integration with 3rd-party kiosks Tracks menu profit, down to the ingredient and digital channel Oracle Cloud Marketplace offers a robust ecosystem of integration partners Integrates with Zeller Terminal Loyalty apps and cards, mobile apps, gift cards and in-store messaging Multiple ordering options: web, mobile app, table, kiosks, drive thru, QR code Fixed-Cost delivery, and direct integration with Uber Eats, Doordash, and Menulog Tailored, branded apps offering customers coupons, discounts and online ordering Digital media boards to display messages to your customers in-store Paperless kitchen display and management system to pass orders between stations Drive thru integration Integrates with Netsuite, MYOB and Xero Integrates with Zeller Terminal Customisable interface lets you create branded touchpoints Supports bill splitting with multiple payment options per split Customisable workflow allows you to streamline counter order entry Supports menu modifications to any product or menu flow Supports management and customisation of keypads, and products, including images Integrates with Zeller Terminal Centrally manages multiple venues Supports orders from iPad, table, kiosk, QR code, food delivery and online for pick-up Loyalty system manages points, discounts, deposits, gift cards, and friend referrals Kitchen display allows you to fine-tune kitchen and chef workflows Automatically sends orders to the correct preparation stations In-built staff management tool to manage shifts and payroll processing Supports digital or physical gift cards created and redeemed directly within ZiiPOS Integrated bookings let customers book directly to the platform Integrates with Zeller Terminal Add and manage items via Zeller Dashboard or directly on Zeller Terminal 2. Bulk import an item library from a previous POS. Update item descriptions, images, prices, categories, and generate automatic SKUs. Customise items with modifiers such as add-ons, toppings, or special requests. Create product variants such as size, colour, flavour, or style. Customise grid to quickly access frequently used items, discounts, or categories. Instantly push product updates to entire fleet of terminals across multiple locations. Offer customers an itemised receipt via email, SMS, or QR code. Create and manage discounts and add descriptions for greater clarity. Understand what you are selling and when with detailed reports (coming soon). POS is automatically installed on Zeller Terminal 2, with no monthly or additional fees. Keeps all sales channels in one POS software (in-store, events, pop-up stores, online) Designed to work online or offline in unexpected outages Web-based point of sale compatible with iPad, PC and Mac Supports attaching notes to orders to keep track of requests and special details Offers lay-by option and ‘on account’ sales Social media links are included on email receipts to engage customers Printed and emailed receipts can feature custom messages Transaction logs help measure team’s performance Syncs with business systems like Xero, MailChimp and Magento Integrates with Zeller Terminal Jewellery specific point of sale and inventory management software Offers inventory trends and compares performance against 400+ Edge users eInvoicing tool included Job tracking for repairs, special orders, and custom jobs Reporting on daily operations, marketing effectiveness, inventory performance Customer relationship management system to build customer loyalty Integrates with Zeller Terminal ‘Google like’ predictive product search with cross-sell/upsell recommendations Customer profiles show previous purchases, store credits, vouchers and loyalty info Designed to work online or offline in unexpected outages One single report for supplier Buy Price, COGS, RRP, POS Price and Promo Price Compatible with PC, iPad and Mac devices Home delivery, inter-store transfers, warehouse pickup, supplier orders, pre-orders Flexible payment options such as Buy Now – Pay Later, lay-bys, and accounts sales Segments customer profiles to run exclusive promotions for specific groups Loyalty programs with minimum spend, points expiry dates and bonus multipliers Customisable email templates sent from POS such as click-and-collect alerts Supports generation of quotes, A4 invoices, and other related documents at the POS Integrates with Zeller Terminal Originally created for the fast-paced Melbourne bar scene Designed to work online or offline in unexpected outages Support teams available 24/7 Supports the creation of floor maps to monitor the status of tables Plugs into online bookings and allows you to add reservation notes Employee hour monitoring Generates stock variance reports and automates orders based on stock thresholds Membership and loyalty system designed for the hospitality industry Integrates with Zeller Terminal Developed by a team with decades of hospitality and retail experience Receive funds overnight with secure payments provided by Zeller Ability to enable or disable features as your business requires Focus on simple design and speed Support teams available 24/7 Counter, table, room, pick up or delivery options Free online store Integrates with Zeller Terminal Add and manage items via Zeller Dashboard or directly on Zeller Terminal 2. Bulk import an item library from a previous POS. Update item descriptions, images, prices, categories, and generate automatic SKUs. Customise items with modifiers such as add-ons or special requests. Create product variants such as size, colour, or style. Customise grid to quickly access frequently used items, discounts, or categories. Instantly push product updates to entire fleet of terminals across multiple locations. Offer customers an itemised receipt via email, SMS, or QR code. Create and manage discounts and add descriptions for greater clarity. Understand what you are selling and when with detailed reports (coming soon). POS is automatically installed on Zeller Terminal 2, with no monthly or additional fees. Tailored POS for wellness and beauty businesses only Integrated self-service booking system for clients and owners Inventory and supplier order management Management of multiple venues from a single account Points-based loyalty program for client retention Detailed sales, client, and appointment reports Create an online profile for salon visibility under marketplace Support via email and extensive how-to guides Offers additional paid features for enhanced functionality Customisable online and app-based booking system Integrated POS for sales, transactions, and scheduling Various tools for detailed client profiles and preferences Comprehensive reporting on sales, inventory, and staff performance Staff management with dashboards, timesheets, and rosters Loyalty programs to retain clients Support is available through app and online resources Integrates with various tools and software add-ons Let Zeller manage your payments. No matter how you prefer to manage your checkout process, Zeller is Australia’s leading payments provider, tailored to meet your business needs. For smaller or mobile businesses with a limited inventory, Zeller offers Zeller POS Lite, built into Zeller Terminal 2 at no extra cost. Larger, more established businesses can benefit from Zeller Terminal’s seamless integration with over 600 different POS platforms. Whether you’re looking for a simple, cost-effective mobile solution or a fully integrated EFTPOS machine with advanced features like tipping, bill-splitting, and custom screensavers, Zeller’s platform is designed to evolve with your business. Chat with our sales team today to set up Zeller POS Lite, or explore our Zeller Partner Hub to find the perfect POS integration for your business. POS software without the price tag. With one low flat transaction fee of 1.4%, no monthly subscription fees or lock-in contracts, Zeller Terminal 2 is Australia’s most affordable all-in-one POS and payments solution. Learn more

Whether you’re running a small market stall or a multi-venue operation, your point of sale will be the hub of your business. To help you choose the right setup, this article outlines how POS systems work and what you can expect from their hardware and software. What is a POS system? POS stands for point of sale, it refers to the place (in-person or online) where customers complete a purchase. A POS system is the combined hardware and software that is used to facilitate these purchases and assist the business in tracking and managing the sales. Today, POS systems encompass a variety of functions, including (but not limited to): Processing orders Taking payments Tracking inventory Providing sales analytics Generating receipts and order dockets Gathering marketing data Implementing customer loyalty programs POS systems vary greatly depending on the size of a business and the industry it's in, and come in the form of physical devices – such as countertop machines and mobile POS or 'mPOS' terminals – or virtual checkout points via online apps and kiosks for self-service orders. For small businesses, a smartphone or mobile device may suffice, while larger more complex operations may require computer systems, barcode scanners, receipt printers, and more. Read on to learn more about how POS systems work and the hardware and software included. How does a POS system work? There are four main steps involved in the point-of-sale process. Your POS system will use the data generated by the sale to offer you helpful business insights, and identify marketing opportunities. You will be able to understand which products are most popular, when your busiest time of day is, who your most valuable customers are, and more. What hardware is typically included in a POS system? If you operate a food truck or a market stall, you may opt for a mobile POS solution (also known as MPOS) which can be operated from a smartphone, tablet, or mobile EFTPOS terminal. However, for larger businesses, there is a range of POS hardware that can help support your operations. The following are the most typical pieces of hardware that are included in a POS system. Display and computer Many POS systems comprise a countertop computer where merchants can manage transactions, as well as a display that faces the customer. Traditionally, these machines have been bulky monitors with in-built cash drawers, but today, more and more businesses are opting for sleeker tablet-style setups. EFTPOS machine Businesses that process payments in-person, will at the very minimum, require an EFTPOS machine to accept card and contactless payments. These machines are most often supplied by a financial services provider like  Zeller  or a traditional banking institution. For smaller, more agile businesses that don’t want to be anchored down to the checkout counter, smartphone-based card readers such as  Tap to Pay with Zeller App  allow customers to make their purchase anywhere in the store. Cash drawer In Australia today, less than 20% of transactions use cash, which is why many businesses are choosing to go cashless. However, for those still accepting cash, you will need a cash drawer within your POS set up to securely store money securely and provide change to customers. Receipt printer While many modern POS providers are able to send digital receipts to customers via SMS or email, you may choose to offer your customers the option of a paper receipt. Additionally, if you run a hospitality business, you may need to print order dockets for the kitchen. In both cases, you will need a receipt and/or docket printer as part of your POS setup. Barcode scanner For businesses with a large product inventory, barcode scanners are a helpful way to quickly pull product information and add the cost to the checkout total. They help automate the checkout process, creating a faster and smoother customer experience. Plus, barcode scanners integrate with inventory management systems to automatically adjust stock levels. What features can I expect from POS software? Payment processing The most basic and important feature of a POS system is to accept payments. Depending on the needs of your business, this may include any or all of the following: Cash processing Accepting secure online payments through your eCommerce site Accepting credit and debit cards with an embedded chip Accepting contactless payments with mobile wallets (e.g., Google Pay, Apple Pay, Android Pay) Processing card-not-present transactions (ie. when your customer and their card aren’t in front of you so you have to manually enter their card details via  MOTO  or a  virtual terminal ) Inventory management Most POS systems include software that will automatically update your inventory whenever a customer orders a meal, or buys or returns an item. This allows you to easily track stock levels, anticipate when popular items will run out, and stay on budget by purchasing supplies only when necessary. Depending on the needs of your business you can find POS software that: Digitally scans products and counts them Manages stock variations (eg. size, colour, style, etc.) Uses unique serial numbers to track inventory Monitors inventory across multiple locations Automatically reorders popular items Table management For dine-in hospitality businesses, a POS system can also aid in managing floors and tables. Some software allows restaurants to make a visual floor plan, allowing staff to see what tables are occupied, reserved, and available at a glance. POS software can also help staff to make bookings and manage reservations, waitlists, and track table turnover rates to help managers identify peak times and optimise seating arrangements. Sales reporting For businesses to effectively manage their cash flow, sales need to be recorded, categorised, and updated in real-time.POS software can provide daily, weekly, and monthly sales reports, ranging from high-level summaries to comprehensive detailed analytics. These sales and revenue reports can help to identify top-selling products and seasonal trends, revenue trends, purchasing behaviours, return rates, how profitable products or services are, and more. Employee management In retail or restaurant environments, where many employees work hourly, POS systems can simplify time tracking and scheduling. Instead of manually logging hours, employees can clock in and out with a card swipe or code entry, enabling precise tracking of hourly wages. This system also facilitates quick identification of top-performing employees, particularly those working on commission. Customer relationship management (CRM) Some POS software doubles as a customer relationship management (CRM) tool, consolidating customer data and trends and enabling you to track purchase histories effectively. These POS systems will collect customer information (such as name, age, birthday, phone number and email address), associate sales with specific customers, help you implement customer loyalty programs, and integrate with email or SMS marketing tools. What is the difference between cloud and on-premise POS? Traditionally, POS systems have been installed and run on a computer or server on the business premises — referred to as “on-premise”. However, today, more and more cloud-based systems have become available, offering a POS that is entirely decentralised and accessed online. So, the principal difference between on-premise POS systems and their cloud-based counterparts is that the former is installed and run on a computer physically located on the business premises, while the latter is hosted on remote servers and accessed through the internet. To learn about the pros and cons of each system, read our blog article on the differences between  cloud and on-premise POS  here. Let Zeller take care of your payments. While choosing a POS might take some further consideration (read our article on the best POS systems for small businesses here), choosing an EFTPOS provider is easy. Zeller is Australia’s favourite payments platform, trusted by thousands of businesses ranging from sole traders to national franchises. Whether you need a simple, zero-cost mobile solution or a fully integrated EFTPOS machine with the most advanced features (think tipping, bill-splitting, screensavers and more), Zeller’s platform is designed to adapt to the requirements of your business. Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help.

Discover how Zeller MOTO payments work for your business MOTO transactions are a quick, convenient, and secure way to accept payment from customers remotely. Also known as ‘manually entered card payments’, these types of transactions are another way for merchants to grow their business. Unlike traditional card payments — where both the customer and their card are physically present — MOTO payments can occur anywhere. Businesses that accept MOTO payments aren’t reliant upon having a brick-and-mortar location for customers to visit, or even a website or online store. If you've got a Zeller Terminal, you can process a MOTO payment from anywhere in Australia. What is a MOTO payment? MOTO is short for Mail Order, Telephone Order. It refers to the act of processing a payment remotely — over the phone via a verbal request, or in writing via mail. Both of these scenarios are what’s known as card-not-present transactions, or CNP payments. Instead of a customer tapping, dipping, or swiping their card or another payment device to Zeller Terminal, the merchant will enter the card details and process the transaction manually. Typically, when a merchant processes a MOTO transaction, neither the card nor the cardholder is physically present — making it difficult to verify the purchaser’s identity. This lack of visibility increases the risk for fraudulent transactions to occur. For this reason, additional security practices are required to process MOTO payments. How to set up MOTO payments with Zeller Terminal Before you can accept your first MOTO payment on Zeller Terminal, you’ll need to update your software. Follow the simple steps below. First, check to see if your software updated overnight. If it has, you’ll notice a new ‘Mode’ button in the right-hand corner of the payments screen on your EFTPOS terminal . If not, you’ll need to re-boot your Zeller Terminal. Once re-booted, the new software update will be installed and the new ‘Mode’ button will be visible. MOTO settings will now be available in your Zeller Dashboard and in your Zeller Terminal settings, too. For more information, visit the Zeller Support Centre . How to accept MOTO payment with Zeller Terminal To process a MOTO payment: Tap the ‘Mode’ button and then tap MOTO. You’ll notice that the payments screen turns blue to indicate that you’re now processing a MOTO payment. Enter the transaction amount. Tap Manual Charge. Verify the cardholder’s identity. Enter the card number, expiration date, and CVC then tap Next . Check the amount and card details are both correct. Tap Charge. You also have the option to default to MOTO payment. This is especially handy for merchants operating without a brick-and-mortar shopfront, or those processing a higher volume of MOTO payments. Simply update your Sites settings in Zeller Dashboard by toggling Default to MOTO on. To reflect the increased risk of fraud with MOTO payments, you can require that a site PIN be entered before a MOTO payment can be processed by toggling Require site PIN on. Are MOTO payments safe? Zeller monitors your transactions round the clock — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — to help prevent fraud before it occurs. Our expert team of fraud detectors works alongside real-time, machine-based transaction monitoring in order to identify and reduce fraud risk. However, it’s important to ensure your staff is knowledgeable about securely accepting MOTO payments, as well as best practices for doing so, before you begin accepting MOTO payments from customers. Visit the Support Centre for more information on the risks of accepting MOTO payments, and tips to help keep your business safe when processing manually entered card payments. How much do MOTO transactions cost? To cover the cost of measures put in place to protect against fraudulent transactions, the fee to process a manually entered card transaction is 1.7% — slightly higher than the flat fee of 1.4% applied to in-person card payments. Zeller exists to help Australian businesses grow. When Zeller merchants told us they wanted the ability to accept payment over the phone, our team got to work building the functionality to make it possible. If you have any questions, reach out on Facebook or call our Support team on 1800 935 537. Or, email feedback@myzeller.com to provide any product feedback or feature ideas to our team directly.