For any retail or hospitality business, efficiently managing inventory and tracking orders are essential for smooth operations. A Point of Sale (POS) system that integrates inventory and order tracking helps businesses maintain accurate stock levels, reduce errors, and improve overall customer satisfaction. Below is a list of top POS systems that provide excellent features for inventory and order tracking, suitable for different types of businesses.
1. Square POS
Overview:
Square POS is one of the most popular and affordable POS systems, known for its ease of use and robust inventory and order tracking features. Square POS is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses that need a comprehensive yet straightforward solution.
Key Features:
- Inventory Management: Tracks stock levels in real time, sends low-stock alerts, and helps with reordering.
- Order Tracking: Allows you to track each sale, view order history, and update order statuses in real time.
- Sales Analytics: Provides insights into sales trends, inventory performance, and order history.
- Customer Profiles: Links sales and orders to customer profiles, helping with loyalty programs and personalized marketing.
- Multi-location Support: If you have multiple stores, Square POS can track inventory and orders across locations.
Pricing:
- Free plan available for basic features.
- Paid plans start at $12/month for advanced features.
Best For: Small businesses and startups looking for an affordable and easy-to-use POS solution.
2. Lightspeed Retail POS
Overview:
Lightspeed Retail is a cloud-based POS system designed for retail businesses with strong inventory management and order tracking features. It is suitable for both small businesses and growing retail chains that need detailed reporting and order management.
Key Features:
- Inventory Tracking: Provides real-time inventory tracking, with automatic updates when sales occur. It supports multiple warehouses and stock locations.
- Order Management: Track orders from start to finish, including customer information, shipping details, and payment processing.
- Purchase Orders: Create and manage purchase orders directly from the system to replenish stock.
- Detailed Reports: Generates comprehensive reports on sales, inventory turnover, and order histories.
- Customer Management: Integrates customer data for personalized service and loyalty programs.
Pricing:
- Starts at $69/month for the basic plan.
- Free trial available for 14 days.
Best For: Growing retail businesses, especially those with multiple locations and a high volume of transactions.
3. Vend POS
Overview:
Vend POS is a popular cloud-based system with powerful features for inventory and order tracking. It’s suitable for retailers of all sizes and is particularly known for its intuitive interface and flexibility.
Key Features:
- Inventory Control: Real-time updates for inventory tracking, with the ability to categorize products and track stock levels across multiple locations.
- Order Management: Supports order tracking from the initial sale through shipping and delivery. It also handles special orders and back orders.
- Stock Alerts: Automated stock alerts when inventory levels fall below a predefined threshold.
- Reports: Customizable reports that offer insights into sales performance, inventory levels, and order trends.
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Tracks customer data and sales history for loyalty programs and targeted marketing.
Pricing:
- Starts at $99/month for the basic plan.
- 30-day free trial available.
Best For: Retailers who want a reliable and feature-rich POS system with cloud-based flexibility.
4. Shopify POS
Overview:
Shopify POS is an integrated POS system for retailers who run both brick-and-mortar stores and eCommerce websites. It’s particularly effective for businesses that want a seamless solution for tracking inventory and orders both online and in-person.
Key Features:
- Unified Inventory Management: Syncs inventory across both online and offline stores, making it easy to manage stock and orders in one place.
- Order Tracking: Shopify POS allows you to track orders in real time, both for in-store and online purchases. You can also manage fulfillment status and delivery.
- Stock Alerts: Automated notifications when inventory levels are low or when a product is running out of stock.
- Customer Profiles: Records customer order history, enabling you to offer personalized experiences and loyalty rewards.
- Reports and Analytics: Provides detailed reports for sales, order history, and inventory trends.
Pricing:
- Basic Shopify plan starts at $29/month (POS features included).
- Shopify POS Pro is $89/month per location.
Best For: Businesses that have both physical and online stores and need a unified system to track inventory and orders across platforms.
5. Clover POS
Overview:
Clover POS is a flexible and easy-to-use system that offers powerful inventory and order tracking features. It’s suitable for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a highly customizable POS system with both hardware and software options.
Key Features:
- Real-Time Inventory Management: Tracks stock levels in real time and helps prevent over-selling or understocking.
- Order Tracking: Manages both in-store and online orders, allowing you to track order statuses and fulfillment.
- Purchase Orders: Easily create purchase orders and track incoming stock from suppliers.
- Customer Management: Collects customer data and tracks their order history for personalized marketing and loyalty programs.
- Reports: Provides detailed sales, order, and inventory reports for performance analysis.
Pricing:
- Starts at $14.95/month for software.
- Hardware costs vary based on the devices you choose (e.g., Clover Mini, Clover Flex).
Best For: Small to medium businesses seeking an affordable, customizable POS system with good inventory and order management.
6. Erply POS
Overview:
Erply is a cloud-based POS system that offers robust features for inventory tracking, order management, and reporting. It’s ideal for retailers looking for a scalable solution that can handle complex inventory needs and multiple locations.
Key Features:
- Inventory Management: Real-time inventory tracking, including automatic stock updates, low-stock alerts, and the ability to track inventory across multiple locations.
- Order Tracking: Tracks orders and their fulfillment status, helping businesses stay on top of customer requests and shipments.
- Reports: Provides detailed analytics on sales, orders, and inventory, helping retailers make data-driven decisions.
- Multi-Location Support: Manages inventory, orders, and reporting across several locations, ideal for chain stores.
- Customer Management: Collects customer data, including purchase history and preferences, for targeted marketing and loyalty programs.
Pricing:
- Starts at $49/month.
- Free 14-day trial available.
Best For: Medium to large retailers with multiple locations or complex inventory needs.
7. Revel Systems POS
Overview:
Revel Systems offers a comprehensive POS system that includes inventory and order management, making it perfect for businesses that need a high level of customization and scalability. It’s suited for both retail and hospitality industries.
Key Features:
- Inventory Management: Tracks inventory in real time and provides automatic stock updates, reorder alerts, and integration with suppliers.
- Order Management: Enables efficient tracking of orders, from sales to fulfillment, including customer details and payment statuses.
- Analytics and Reporting: Provides advanced reporting capabilities for sales, inventory, and order trends.
- Employee Management: Manages employee schedules, permissions, and commissions.
- Multi-Location Support: Manage orders and inventory across multiple locations with ease.
Pricing:
- Custom pricing based on business needs and size (contact for a quote).
- Free demo available.
Best For: Larger businesses or enterprises that require a highly customizable and scalable POS solution.
Conclusion
When choosing a POS system for inventory and order tracking, it’s essential to consider the specific needs of your business, including the size of your store, the complexity of your inventory, and whether you operate online or across multiple locations.
- Square POS and Zettle are great options for small businesses on a budget.
- Lightspeed and Vend provide robust solutions for growing businesses with advanced features.
- Shopify POS is perfect for businesses with both physical and online stores.
- Revel Systems and Erply are best suited for larger businesses or those with complex requirements.
Each of these systems offers solid inventory and order management features, so you can make informed decisions based on your business size, budget, and goals.