The COVID-19 epidemic has permanently changed the way many of us do business. The restaurant owners that did remain open the entire time didn’t have clear instructions to go by to maintain social distancing. Other protective measures have included transparent barriers between employees and patrons at checkout counters, and business owners were forced to change operations planning, budgets, sales targets, displays, and seating.
Some companies have chosen to bypass the restrictions of phased reopening until they can operate at full capacity, but any small business that reopens during the prolonged impact of COVID is entering uncharted territory. However, how you configure your POS can make a surprising impact on operational planning for COVID and help to control the factors which directly impact the profitability of your business. COVID point of sale systems for small businesses are helping adaptation to new regulations go more smoothly, and managers are reaping the benefits of cloud-based solutions.
Reopen with COVID Point of Sale Systems for Small Business
The steps that individual managers need to take to reopen safely will vary industry by industry, but how you use your POS to stay compliant and profitable requires a similar approach. Here are several common scenarios in on-site customer management:
- If you have a retail or apparel store, encourage minimal customer contact through the cash wrap and the POS service area.
- Frequently sanitize the credit card processing machine according to recommendations.
- Encourage the use of credit cards over cash and coins. Employees don’t need to touch the card.
- Inform customers of your touchless pay option. If you don’t currently have “touchless” NFC payments, then contact your POS provider about how to upgrade your credit card payment device.
- Install transparent shields at checkout counters and other areas where there are face-to-face interactions to protect your employees.
All businesses have had to adopt some form of social distancing guidelines for their patrons. Some stores have signage. Others have affixed stickers to the floor six feet apart as a reminder. Passive physical barriers are practical, too. Arranging tables, chairs, and other available furnishings as barricades to guide customers to where you want them to go can be very effective.
Unfortunately, people sometimes show up with frustrations from their personal lives or expectations that are no longer attainable. Training employees on de-escalation around health safety matters and when to contact a manager has become paramount for ensuring your employees’ safety.
Managing crowds and long lines is also challenging. Encourage people waiting in lines to maintain spacing and to wear masks when you thank them for their patronage. Spaced seating guidelines may require your servers to remind happy guests about bar and restaurant policy.
Sanitizing high-contact surfaces may be the most tedious part of ensuring the health of the public. What are some high-contact areas?
- Door handles
- Countertops
- Shopping carts and baskets
- Self-service areas
- Restrooms
Self-service areas that cannot be adequately sanitized must sometimes be removed from service if health authorities deem them as high-risk.
Now that we’ve worked through the impact of COVID on POS and daily operations, let’s venture into features in POS systems that can help you to remain profitable once you reopen.
Managing Your Small Business with COVID-Ready POS Systems
Today’s POS is a robust, comprehensive COVID point of sale system for small business that will broaden and deepen your capacity to manage added requirements to become fully functional. How exactly can POS help you navigate your small business through COVID?
Cloud-based POS systems for iPad do much more than process transactions.
Sales Performance
Begin to take a more in-depth look at sales performance and sanitation expenses for your business. When you know how much sanitation costs you in terms of labor hours and supplies, you can make a more accurate determination of what your revenue goals need to be. The reports you need are already built-in, from a high-level to individual items, from daily to monthly. “Slice and dice” the data in a way that works for you.
Marketing Data and Campaigns
Customer data is probably more valuable now than ever; it tells you about people’s purchasing habits. Market research data is valuable, but the COVID-19 pandemic was an unpredictable event. Your shoppers, clients, and patrons tell you directly what they like and how they spend money. Why not collect the data at POS? For example, the information that you gather from several hundred orders will reveal customer trends and more. Use the data to formulate special offers and promotions.
Staying on Top of POS with an Industry Leader
talech is committed to the continued success of its thousands of small business customers. Now that companies are facing the usual challenge of staying open and profitable during the pandemic, talech is doing everything it can to prepare new and existing businesses to implement an advanced POS solution. If you are curious about how a point of sale system can help you navigate the complicated terrain of COVID, get in touch.
In a period of change, talech has a number of POS solutions that can help your business adjust operations smoothly. From reaching new audiences to engaging with your existing customers more often, we give you the tools to adapt quickly and with confidence. Get your free personalized demo to see how you can benefit from talech POS.
