Store owners who are into selling both brick-and-mortar and online have found the point-of-sale systems irreplaceable in their operations. This software links the two categories of this business and improves consumer satisfaction.
POS software greatly depends on integration with shopping carts, as carrying out key functions requires an ability to access and process orders, customer data, and product information from online stores.
This article will show you POS software’s fundamental characteristics that every e-retailer needs. Also, we will show you how to develop Shopify POS integrations and how exactly your POS software can access and manage data from Shopify stores.
What are the Main Functions of POS Software?
POS software unifies in-store and online operations for multi-channel retailers. It covers cost optimization, managing inventory, product details updates, stock levels, prices, and much more.
Let's explore what functions your POS system should have to become more successful on the market:
1. Collection of payments and tracking the sales
POS software should process customers’ orders and transactions using an Internet connection.
2. Support for various operating systems
E-retailers do not depend on one particular kind of software or operating system. They are forever searching for affordable and reliable ways. Consequently, POS software should not be based on a specific operating system. Still, it should instead support any OS such as Android, Windows, Linux, MAC, or IOS for desktops, notebooks, and pads.
3. Real-time inventory synchronization on multiple sales channels
POS system needs to update and sync inventory across all sales channels in real-time for optimal efficiency. Synchronizing inventory manually is extremely difficult when dealing with multiple channels. A high-quality POS system needs to have the capability to automate inventory synchronization and provide real-time updates across all channels.
4. Support multiple payment methods
Any POS system should facilitate any possible method of payment that is convenient for online shoppers. Every eCommerce platform has a unique buyer-oriented credit card processing facility that simplifies the buyers’ checkout experience. For instance, if you connect your POS software to the Shopify platform, the software must support the platform's payment methods.
What is an eCommerce POS Integration?
POS software should be connected to popular eCommerce platforms such as Shopify to function effectively. Nevertheless, the Shopify POS integrations have some challenges. If you decide to go with an in-house integration development process, be ready for a few pain points.
First of all, integration development involves time spent in finding appropriate developers, recruitment, and even their training over time. Also, integration is expensive as it involves setting up infrastructure and spending money on the salaries of developers. In addition, the constant updating of Shopify’s API creates challenges for maintaining and supporting Shopify POS integration.
However, Shopify POS integrations have a lot of benefits for POS solutions providers. Shopify has a great user base that includes millions of e-retailers. That means an opportunity for your software to be used by the majority of online store owners who use the Shopify platform. As more e-retailers use your POS software, the more profits you can get. So, the development of integration with Shopify is worth considering.
Let's explore the easiest and fastest way of Shopify integration development.
Shopify POS Integrations: How to Connect Your Point-of-Sale Software with Shopify
Since Shopify POS integration is highly important for the success of any POS software provider, there has to be another way than in-house development to establish integration.
For example, one of the best low-cost and easy-to-use tools to integrate POS and Shopify is API2Cart. It provides a unified API that enables POS integration with over forty shopping platforms, including Shopify Magento, OpenCart, and Wix, among many others.
Hiring sophisticated developers or spending money on integration updates and support is unnecessary. Everything can be done easily with API2Cart. You need only connect your POS solution with API2Cart, and after that, you will get immediate access to the data of all the required eCommerce platforms. Everything else is on API2Cart!
With API2Cart API methods, your POS will get access to all your clients' online stores and will be able to:
- Receive a list of orders from all the required sales channels
- Sync inventory across different platforms
- Get, add, and update product lists
- Import e-store customers' data
- Organize data into detailed reports
If you want to try all the functionality of API2Cart for free, please book a free demo now and start your 30-day trial period.
