Researching, evaluating, and comparing Retail Solutions is time consuming and complicated.

Purchasing a retail solution is not like purchasing product for resale. You are not looking for the lowest price to get the highest margin. No matter how much time you spend evaluating alternatives, you are still taking a risk that you have overlooked an important aspect of your business that is not supported by the solution, or that you will have to pay extra money for to obtain.

Because your business and customer satisfaction can be heavily impacted by this decision, you should be looking not just at the software, but at the company selling the software. This company is going to become one of your strategic partners. Indeed, they will probably be your key strategic technology partner. Do you have a good relationship with them? Will they work with you to help you meet your business needs and get your business running on their software?

You want to purchase your Retail Solution from someone that cares about you and your business. Someone that wants your business to succeed and grow. Someone that will go the extra mile if problems arise to keep your stores operational, your sales flowing, and your customers satisfied.

Perhaps the quickest way to get comfortable that the software will meet your needs is to talk with companies currently using it.

Software Questions:

1. What are the minimum features I need?
   
2. What is the value (ROI) of features that enable my business to do more? For example, how much is the ability to offer intra-day sales worth? How much is the ability to accept Farm Plan as a payment type worth?
   
   Service Questions:
   
3. If the software does not work exactly like I want it to, can it be changed to work like I want it to?
   
4. How much will it cost to get small changes in the software so that it will work like I want?
   
5. Will the software still work for me if tax laws change, or if other government requirements are imposed?
   
6. If I request enhancements to the software, is there any chance the enhancements can be made?
   
7. Will I have to purchase new software as new technologies arise such as debit cards, automated check processing, and self-checkout?
   
8. How flexible and expensive is support from the solution provider?
   
   Cost Questions:
   
9. What are the total implementation costs?
   
10. How much will I need to spend on computer hardware?
    
11. How much will I need to spend on computer software like operating systems and databases?
    
12. How much will I need to spend on peripherals like receipt printers and cash drawers?
    
    Ongoing costs:
    
13. How much will it cost me monthly to keep stuff running?
    
14. How much will it cost me monthly to get support from the solution seller?
    
    Technology Questions:
    
15. What architecture is required by this solution?
    
16. Will I need a Wide Area Network between my stores?
    
17. Can I communicate between stores with modems?
    
18. Will I be tied into a proprietary database and unable to make my own reports of the data?
    
19. Will I be implementing a technology that is old and fading?
    
    Solution Provider Questions:
    
20. How long has the solution provider been in business?
    
21. What is their reputation with their current customers?
    
    Finance and Accounting Questions:
    
22. How will I finance the purchase? Some hardware vendors will provide additional financing for the software if needed.
    
23. For any solution selected, you should also know your tax laws. In most cases, you will be eligible to depreciate the cost of software used to run your business.
    

Tips for Selecting a Retail POS - From RetailIndustry.about.com