Articles
RSSPOS Trends In 2009
March 2, 2009
Written by: Alex Nelson, CEO of J2 Retail Systems
Alex Nelson, CEO of J2 Retail Systems, gives VARs advice on how to increase POS revenue in 2009.
What is the most significant trend in POS that you think VARs should know about for 2009?
PCI compliance will be a priority in 2009 as companies look to upgrade their POS systems to meet the new standard that is expected to be finalized in the first half of the year. This presents a great opportunity for VARs to provide a value-add service of helping educate their customers as to best practices in PCI compliance.
Which market should VARs be focusing on in 2009 to increase POS hardware sales?
The retail and food-service industries continue to be strong markets for POS hardware sales as they look to upgrade legacy technology. An emerging area for POS hardware is the convenience store market. We feel this is a strong growth market as these stores demand power-efficient “always-on” POS systems that incorporate a compact form factor, saving valuable shelf-space to sell additional products at the point of sale.
What advice do you have for VARs that want to sell POS solutions?
Security products including payment processing software and cameras continue to be at the forefront for new and existing retailers. This provides an opportunity for VARs to deliver a complete, all-in-one POS solution.
What are some ways a VAR can distinguish its POS solutions from its competitors?
VARs that go one step further by not only providing the product or service, but include complementary offerings such as installation, support and maintenance, will have a competitive edge. We could also see the reseller community adapt to the current economic outlook going beyond the POS market to include security systems to address things such as theft and shrinkage which are more prevalent in a down market.
What can POS VARs do to minimize the effects of current economic conditions?
VARs may want to widen their offerings and become a trusted advisor and expert in emerging products and services. Some examples might include: PCI security programs, digital signage for advertising or informational purposes, video security systems, custom kiosks or self-help stations.
How do “green” technologies affect POS VARs?
Companies are continuing to explore new methods to modernize their operations through environmental-friendly technology and reduce equipment costs. To that end, green technology will also play a major role in 2009 and presents opportunities for the VAR community. We have begun to see those changes take place as POS terminals are incorporating environmental-friendly features found on many of today's notebook PCs, such as ambient light technology and space-saving designs. This reduces the overall cost of the terminal, increases efficiency, and helps customers to better utilize merchandising space to promote other products and services.
