What is EPOS System or POS system?

POS or EPOS you've likely observed the terms thrown around as you're trying to accept payments at a till point. But what does EPOS stand for?

Many definitions describing EPOS about what the system includes and whether it is cloud-based or server based. In fact, the term refers to any PC based POS system, regardless of whether connected online or not.

It's simply that today, such a system tends to function through online to enable seamless integration with card reader and across all devices so sales, stock and reports are synced in real time. And, epos software is generally used in conjunction with hardware like a cash drawer, PC or mobile phone, receipt printer, barcode scanner, card reader and anything else required for an efficient checkout system.

The central part of EPOS systems is the EPOS Software installed on the local or working through the cloud. This software includes an interface through which you enter or register payments, typically through a touchscreen monitor or tablet.

Latest EPOS systems include a lot of added functions for running a store or any other business.

Think accounting, analytics, stock devices, payment options, staff management, card machine integration and customer loyalty features. You no need to take direct payments through an EPOS system as you get a complete software service to help you with running most parts of a business.

How POS became EPOS

Now-a-days the more squeezing question: why the differentiation between POS (point of sale) and EPOS? The appropriate answers lies in the development of POS over the past few years. A while ago when POS started, the ways of accepting payments were completely by cash. In the long run, this was known as cash registers or tills.

Fast forward to the 1990s and 2000s and tills started to become PC’s with a touchscreen screen and software made for inventory management and registering payments from customers. For some time, these systems were run on local systems with all data saved money on a server installed on business premises.

It was during this progress particularly that the term EPOS was coined to recognize between older, non electronic POS and electronic systems made possible through computer software.

Why EPOS is POS again

Everything except a couple of POS systems today are completely fledged EPOS System. Since it is the standard, many businesses have stopped referring to their software as "EPOS", rather opting on the snappier "POS".

There's a consensus among industry pioneers that all POS systems in near future will be SaaS (Software as a Service), to use another abbreviation. This means the software can't be possessed forever, but rather paid periodically as a membership for each limit. Included in the software is customer support, ongoing cloud maintenance and software updates.