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Track your profits to grow your business. This customizable free template makes it easy to analyze your restaurant's financial performance.
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Streamline orders from diners, online orders, self-serve kiosk systems to kitchen without missing an order. Give your FOH staff an easy-to-use POS system and process orders quickly and efficiently.
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Give your customers the best service from order to pay. We provide secure payment options through cards, QR codes, and links. Our cash management system reduces the risk of theft or errors in cash handling.
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Access reports for sales, products, inventory and employee performance across multiple stores on one dashboard. Accelerate growth by easily identifying what needs to be fixed.
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Easily control inventory, out of stock updates, and menu pricing, image and description changes for multiple restaurants including online store on a single admin dashboard.
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POS systems have evolved dramatically over the years. What began as basic cash registers for tracking sales has now transformed into advanced cloud-based POS systems capable of processing transactions with just a tap or scan.
Now, here’s a key question: Should you stick with an on-premise POS system for greater control and reliability, or switch to a cloud-based solution for enhanced flexibility and ease?
With tech evolving and higher customer expectations, making the right choice is important for your business. So, let’s find out which POS system fits your business best and what the future holds.
So, what’s cloud-based POS vs traditional POS all about? Before you get into the future of POS systems, let’s talk about that:
Retailers get real-time inventory tracking to help them avoid stockouts and overstocking. It supports multiple payment options, including contactless and digital wallets. Omnichannel integration lets stores sync online and offline sales seamlessly. A cloud-based POS system for retail comes with built-in customer management tools to help personalize promotions and loyalty programs.
Restaurants benefit from mobile ordering and tableside payments, reducing wait times. Menu management allows quick updates for seasonal dishes or price changes. Kitchen display system integration improves order accuracy. Multi-location support in a cloud-based POS system for restaurants helps manage franchises easily. Additionally, real-time sales tracking enhances decision-making for peak hours and menu adjustments.
So, what is a cloud-based POS system? With a cloud-based POS system, you can run your business from anywhere—whether you're at home, in a café, or even on vacation. Instead of storing data on bulky in-store servers, these systems keep everything safe on remote servers, accessible through the internet. Some key features are as follows:
Check sales, manage inventory, and analyze performance in real-time, whether you're at a store, another location, or on the move.
No more manually updating software. Your POS stays up-to-date automatically.
Running a small café today but dreaming of multiple locations tomorrow? Cloud-based systems make it easy to expand. You can manage multiple locations from a single dashboard. Plus, adding these new locations is simple.
No huge upfront investment. Just a monthly or annual fee. Ideal for small businesses that want to keep costs low.
Does cloud POS work without the internet? Well, some cloud-based POS systems have an offline mode. This keeps your business running even if the internet goes down. They store sales data locally and sync it to the cloud when the internet is back.
Traditional POS systems resemble old-school cash registers but are enhanced with modern technology. They keep all your data stored right inside your business. They require a local server and hardware. Though still in use, they come with certain limitations. Some key features are as follows:
Everything is stored in-house. So, you own and manage your data. Ideal for businesses with strict security policies.
These systems require dedicated terminals, cash registers, and on-site servers, making them costly to install, upgrade, and maintain.
You can only access sales data from the physical location, making remote management difficult.
Software updates and new features require manual installations, often leading to outdated systems and compatibility issues.
Repairs and upgrades involve on-site servicing, increasing operational expenses over time.
No internet? No problem. Your business keeps running without disruptions.
Let’s look at the biggest trends shaping POS systems today and how they’re already making an impact.
Self-service kiosks are everywhere, from fast-food chains to retail stores. Why? Because people love speed. Plus, for businesses, a self-ordering kiosk cuts costs. In fact, 85% of restaurant tech leaders aim to implement self-service options.
Take McDonald’s, for example. Its self-order kiosks let customers customize their meals, order and pay instantly, and skip long lines. The result? Faster service and higher order values.
Big chain retail stores and restaurants remember your usual order. That’s POS analytics reports at work. Tracking purchase history and customer preferences using POS reports and not guesswork helps it offer personalized recommendations, targeted discounts, and even loyalty programs.
Businesses using omnichannel strategies see an 80% increase in additional store visits. So, POS systems are likely to be used for executing omnichannel strategies.
For example, Nike allows customers to shop online, reserve items, and pick them up in-store. Meanwhile, brands like Sephora integrate in-store and online purchases. So, if a customer buys a foundation online, its POS system remembers the shade when they visit their physical store.
Digital wallets, contactless payments, and QR code transactions are taking over. In the US, by 2027, about 94% of payments will be cashless. Think about how Apple Pay and Venmo have become second nature. Going completely contactless makes transactions faster and reduces security risks.
Customers don’t want to wait in line at a store. That’s what mobile POS is enabling. At stores like Foot Locker’s WSS, Cole Buxton, Samsung, and Apple, employees don’t stand behind a counter. They carry mobile POS devices. So, customers can pay anywhere in the store, dramatically increasing the revenue.
Thinking of “cloud-based POS vs traditional POS” to choose the best is about what works best for your business, operations, and long-term goals. To make the right call, you need to weigh flexibility, security, costs, and reliability.
Let’s break it down step by step.
Before buying a POS system, ask yourself:
A cloud POS is ideal because it lets you monitor sales and inventory in real-time, from anywhere.
Traditional POS is better as it works offline without depending on an internet connection.
Cloud POS is better because it offers easy multi-location management and centralized data access.
Traditional POS is better since it keeps sensitive data stored on local servers, reducing online security risks.
For example, a food truck owner constantly moves locations. A cloud-based food truck POS lets them track sales, accept payments, and check inventory on their phone. On the other hand, a high-end restaurant prefers an on-premise QSR POS to keep guest payment details secure while maintaining uninterrupted service during peak hours.
So, a small bistro just starting out might choose a cloud-based bistro POS with a low monthly fee. This way, it avoids the hefty upfront costs of an on-premise system. But a franchise with multiple locations might find an on-premise system cheaper in the long run since they won’t be paying monthly cloud fees forever.
A cloud-based POS system for restaurants needs a stable internet connection. But some offer offline mode to keep business running. Similarly, on-premise POS works even when Wi-Fi is down. As a result, both can work well for businesses located in areas with unreliable connectivity.
The cloud-based POS provider manages security updates, encryption, and fraud detection. With an on-premise POS, however, you manage security independently. But you also need dedicated IT support to handle updates and data protection.
Cloud POS scales easily. Perfect for growing businesses adding new locations. But on-premise POS is harder to scale. Each new store may need separate infrastructure and IT support.
For example, a fast-growing online beauty brand opens its first physical store. A cloud-based POS system for retail perfectly integrates both online and in-store sales. But a luxury watch store with a single high-end location doesn’t need multi-location management. So, they stick with an on-premise system.
The evolution of POS systems is driven by technological advancements, shifting consumer behaviors, and evolving business needs. With AI-driven insights, better security, and automation, POS systems will continue to offer businesses smarter, faster, and more efficient ways to manage transactions and customer interactions.
And what about “cloud-based POS vs traditional POS”? If remote access, scalability, and automatic updates are your priorities, a cloud-based POS is your best choice. If you prioritize data control, security, and reliability, on-premise POS still has its place.
Whichever option you choose, investing in the right POS system will help your business stay competitive. With OneHubPOS, enjoy seamless payments, advanced POS analytics for actionable insights, and self-service features that your customers will appreciate. Book a demo today!
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The Northeast Acquirers Association (NEAA) 2025 event wrapped up recently, and the OneHubPOS team was on the ground, soaking in all the insights and innovations. This year's event was buzzing with discussions around the evolving payments landscape, emerging technologies, and strategies for navigating the future of merchant services.
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For ISOs, MSPs, acquirers, and PayFacs, NEAA 2025 offered a wealth of knowledge and opportunities. Here are our top takeaways:
One of the most prominent themes at NEAA 2025 was the growing demand for integrated solutions. Merchants are increasingly seeking platforms that seamlessly combine POS systems, payment processing, inventory management, and other essential business functions.
Many restaurants and retail stores are turning to fully integrated solutions that help streamline their day-to-day operations. For example, Starbucks uses a custom POS system that integrates payment processing, customer loyalty programs, and inventory tracking. This allows them to provide a seamless experience for both customers and staff while gathering valuable data on purchasing patterns and preferences.
With the rise in cyber threats, security was a top concern at NEAA 2025. Discussions revolved around the latest encryption technologies, tokenization methods, and fraud prevention strategies.
The Target data breach in 2013 exposed the credit card information of millions of customers, costing the company over $18 million in settlements and damaging its reputation. Since then, the retail industry has focused heavily on improving security protocols, including adopting encryption, tokenization, and PCI DSS compliance to protect sensitive customer data.
Data analytics continues to be a game-changer in the payments industry. NEAA 2025 highlighted the importance of leveraging data to gain insights into merchant behavior, identify trends, and personalize customer experiences.
Companies like Amazon and Square are leaders in using data analytics to optimize merchant operations. Amazon analyzes customer data to provide highly personalized recommendations, while Square provides merchants with dashboards that track sales, customer preferences, and peak business hours.
Contactless payments have become increasingly popular in recent years, and NEAA 2025 confirmed that this trend is here to stay. Discussions focused on the latest contactless technologies, including NFC, QR codes, and mobile wallets.
Apple Pay and Google Pay have led the charge in contactless payments, making it easy for consumers to tap their phones or smartwatches to make secure payments. During the COVID-19 pandemic, contactless payment usage surged, and businesses that adopted contactless solutions saw increased customer satisfaction and faster checkout times.
Ultimately, the success of any payment solution depends on the customer experience it provides. NEAA 2025 emphasized the importance of creating seamless, intuitive, and personalized experiences for both merchants and their customers.
Disney is known for its exceptional focus on customer experience, even when it comes to payments. Their MagicBand system acts as a contactless payment solution, room key, and FastPass all in one, providing a seamless experience for park visitors.
NEAA 2025 provided valuable insights into the current state and future direction of the payments industry. As ISOs, MSPs, acquirers, and PayFacs, it's essential to stay informed, adapt to changing trends, and partner with innovative solution providers.
OneHubPOS is committed to empowering our Partners with the tools and resources they need to succeed in today's dynamic market. Explore how OneHubPOS can transform your merchant experience—Schedule a free demo today!
What if your POS crashes on the biggest shopping day of the year? When you find your POS system down, you'll only be left with clueless cashiers, grumbling customers, and vanishing sales.
This scenario is a nightmare that many small businesses have faced. The wrong POS system or failing to use it right can harm your revenue and slow operations. Consequently, your customers run to your competitors. So, let’s go through some commonly-made POS mistakes and how to resolve them to make sure POS mishaps don't happen to you.
Many business owners overlook key features, fail to train staff, or prioritize cost over quality. The result? Pretty serious problems! Let’s find out more.
Are all POS systems the same? Well, NO! Still, many business owners pick a system without considering whether it meets their specific industry needs.
A restaurant POS comes with a table management system. On the other hand, a retail store POS has powerful SKU tracking. Choosing a generic POS can lead to:
For example, on June 15, 2019, 1800 Target stores faced a POS outage for two hours. Right before Father’s Day! Registers stopped working. Consequently, customers couldn’t check out.
The reason? A system error that couldn’t handle the high transaction volume. This incident cost approximately $50 million in lost sales and frustrated customers who abandoned their carts.
Before buying a POS system, make sure it is built for your business needs. It could be high transaction volume, industry-specific functions, smooth scalability, or more.
Suppose a clothing boutique sells a jacket online. But it still shows the jacket as available in-store. This can cause confusion when a customer walks in to buy it.
Many businesses don’t check integration features before buying a POS. Later, they find themselves:
The result? Increased errors and harder decision-making.
Your POS should connect perfectly with your accounting, inventory management, eCommerce, and CRM systems.
Even if your POS is marketed as “intuitive,” your staff will still require adequate training to avoid costly errors. Well, this is not entirely true. Without proper training, employees may struggle with the POS, leading to slower transactions and more errors. Plus, customer frustration rises.
Suppose you have an ambitious plan to launch a new self-ordering kiosk. But what's the point if the lack of well-trained staff won’t let you reap the expected benefits? Customers will try to place orders but won't get any assistance from staff members about operating the system. The outcome: Long wait times, frustrated customers, and abandoned orders. Instead of speeding up service, it would slow them down.
Even the most “user-friendly” POS requires staff training to avoid slowdowns and costly mistakes.
A business can’t function properly with inaccurate inventory tracking. Yet, many business owners pick a POS that lacks advanced inventory features. This leads to overstocking, stockouts, and lost sales.
A POS should offer automated stock tracking, bulk import/export, and real-time updates to keep inventory accurate and efficient.
Going for the cheapest POS option is tempting. But in the long run, this decision can cost way more. The ROI justifies the cost of POS systems for small businesses.
Small businesses, often operating on limited budgets, are more prone to making this mistake. On top of that, not reading the fine print makes the business suffer even more when stuck in a bad POS contract. Even when they want to switch, they face a huge exit fee. In fact, they’re likely to end up paying more in the long run than if they pick a better system upfront.
Instead of choosing the cheapest option, look at long-term value, scalability, and transparent pricing. Also, read POS system reviews. You can also look for trial versions at budget-friendly pricing. For example, you can get started with OneHubPOS at just $1!
When you find your POS system down during peak hours with no quick support response, your customers leave and you lose sales. The store could lose thousands of dollars in revenue during just a few peak hours. All because they didn’t prioritize customer support when choosing a POS!
A POS provider should offer 24/7 customer support, troubleshooting guides, and proactive assistance to decrease business disruptions to the least.
Your business needs a POS system that’s built for efficiency, automation, and long-term scalability. OneHubPOS puts an end to common mistakes with customized solutions, smooth integrations, user-friendly interfaces, advanced inventory tracking, transparent pricing, and reliable customer support.
OneHubPOS is built to cater to specific industries. So, you can get the features they need. Plus, no unnecessary add-ons or costly customizations!
With real-time data synchronization, you don’t have to worry about manual errors, duplicate entries, or delayed updates. This leads to better decision-making and smoother operations.
A POS should be easy for staff to learn and use. Otherwise, it slows down operations.
OneHubPOS provides real-time inventory tracking so you always know what’s in stock.
While some POS providers do not disclose their transaction fees, costly add-ons, or expensive contract termination fees, OneHubPOS keeps pricing clear and fair.
OneHubPOS prioritizes the best customer support. So, businesses get help when they need it. Thus, issues don’t lead to lost revenue.
The wrong POS system can lead to lost revenue, inefficiencies, and frustrated customers. Common mistakes, like choosing the wrong system, ignoring integrations, failing to train staff, mismanaging inventory, prioritizing price over quality, and underutilizing customer support, can all hurt a business.
But with OneHubPOS, you get:
Ready to streamline your business and avoid costly POS mistakes? Book a demo today and discover how OneHubPOS can boost efficiency, sales, and customer satisfaction!
