HP Innovation Journal Special Edition: Retail Transformation | Page 25

POINT OF SALE INVESTMENT
Rethinking traditional approaches to acquisition, maintenance and enhancement
LISA TERRY
Contributing Editor, Retail Info Systems News
A point of sale upgrade has
always been a big undertaking.
But today’s POS plays a far larger role in support-
ing retail business goals than in any previous era.
POS is not just a device; it’s a platform to deliver
enhanced, personalized store experiences that
attract savvy, empowered consumers. A DEEPER LOOK AT TCO
This transformed role means the financial aspects of
selecting a POS platform must go well beyond system
preparation, deployment services, maintenance, power
consumption and other hardware considerations. Now
retailers must also consider the critical role that up-to-
date POS plays in delivering a differentiated brand
experience. This is important not only in what solution
they choose, but in how they acquire it. The right invest-
ment model ensures the retailer reaps maximum value
from the POS platform across its lifespan, minimizing
costs and limitations while empowering them to easily
adapt the POS environment to compete for customers. • What are the costs associated with solution
architecting, testing and creation of golden images
and deployment documentation? All are needed to
ensure a smooth deployment.
Taking a holistic view of POS purchasing means consid-
ering these key criteria: total cost of ownership (TCO),
return on investment (ROI), and purchase model options,
including comparing capital purchase to leasing to
as-a-service plans. • How frequently will devices require repair?
Manufacturers can provide guidelines, but repair needs
depend on the environment and how equipment is used.
Repair trends on previous equipment can provide clues as
to where problems tend to occur.
TCO includes the upfront cost of the solution plus the
total cost of usage across its lifespan. Determining the
cost of usage can be tricky, so it is important to take an
in-depth look. Key questions to ask include:
• How much will deployment services cost? This
includes system staging, loading and preparation,
as well as the physical deployment into each location.
• What is the value of the warranty? Know what
is covered and for how long, as well as availability
of warranty extensions. Terms can differ widely
across vendors.
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