POS record payment transactions such as sales and returns. Yet modern point of sale systems are capable of much more and have become versatile, multi-purpose tools that streamline and optimise daily business operations. These systems now include integration with inventory management, the administration of staff permissions and shift schedules, customer management tools for loyalty programmes and promotional offers, as well as comprehensive statistics and reports on revenue trends. 

In Deutschland gibt es fast eine Million Kassen – die wenigsten mobil. Doch das ändert sich. Denn mobile Kassen sind nicht nur vollwertig, sondern auch handlich und flexibel einsatzbereit. Dadurch helfen sie Ladenbesitzern und Gastronomen dabei, den veränderten Bezahl- und Einkaufsgewohnheiten der Kunden gerecht zu werden. 

There are nearly one million point of sale systems in Germany—though very few of them are mobile. This, however, is changing. Mobile tills are not only fully functional, but also compact and ready for use wherever needed. As a result, they help shop owners and restaurateurs to keep pace with their customers’ evolving purchasing and payment habits. 

Mobile Point of Sale Systems Are Gaining in Popularity

Modern point of sale systems enable businesses to maintain an overview of their operations, work more efficiently, and strengthen customer loyalty. The clear trend is towards mobile POS. The reason is that, since the pandemic at the latest, more and more people prefer to pay by card rather than with cash. Businesses must adapt to these changing customer habits, whether they run a beer garden, a food truck, or a market stall. 

Indeed, according to a study by the EHI Retail Institute, the use of mobile devices with point of sale functionality is among the top priorities at the point of sale. Fifty-five percent of respondents intend to invest in mobile POS. These systems combine the advantages of modern point of sale technology with the flexibility of handheld devices such as smartphones or tablets. As such, mobile point of sale systems represent an important step towards digital transformation at physical retail locations. 

The Intended Use Makes all the Difference

A bakery requires a different point of sale system from a supermarket. A restaurateur, in turn, needs other additional services than the owner of a food truck. Little wonder, then, that mobile POS range from simple, all-purpose devices to industry-specific solutions. 

In the hospitality sector, for example, the ability to make table reservations, and to take orders and process payments quickly and easily, is crucial. In retail, by contrast, customer management, delivery coordination and promotional campaigns take centre stage. Mobile point of sale systems also enable sales to take place anywhere on the shop floor, which is a major advantage for furniture stores, opticians and other businesses where personalised advice is essential. As a result, queues at the counter become a thing of the past. For hairdressers and other service providers, meanwhile, easy appointment booking is especially important. 

Ultimately, the requirements of each individual business are key. Good mobile POS Systems are therefore highly adaptable and often feature modular components. Furthermore, some devices can store receipts digitally and offer certified interfaces, making them accessible for accountants or tax authorities. Depending on their preferences, businesses should carefully assess which functionalities matter most to them, and choose a provider accordingly. 

The All-Rounder: POS Go by Unzer

The compact POS Go from Unzer offers a complete, worry-free solution. Unzer is a European payment company that enables merchants to process payments across all channels, devices and markets, whether online, via mobile, or at the point of sale. With POS Go, Unzer provides a solution for merchants and service providers looking to digitalise their processes and meet rising demand for contactless payments. The device combines a till, card reader, receipt printer, and scanner, and is fully flexible in its deployment thanks to cloud-based software. Popular payment options such as instalment and invoice purchasing ("Buy now, pay later") can also be offered directly at the point of sale. 

POS Go not only supports merchants in transitioning from cash to card payments. Thanks to the integrated software, merchants have access to a range of features that simplify their daily business: from customer loyalty programmes to real-time sales data. 

This smart POS is packed with additional features: receipts are stored digitally and printed in compliance with legal requirements; new and existing discount and loyalty programmes can be easily integrated. Through an Android app, merchants can review sales statistics at any time and export all transactions for annual accounts in DATEV format. Dashboards provide clear overviews of inventory, orders, and customer payment preferences, making it easier for merchants to manage stock and staff resources. 

From Blackbox to Comprehensive Service Promise

With just a few clicks, users can create an online shop and link it to POS Go. Physical and digital commerce are increasingly converging, and point of sale systems must keep pace with this trend. For merchants, this means that, regardless of whether they sell online, on mobile, or in-store, all processes are managed within a single data system. Through the connected online shop, businesses can easily interact across various marketplaces. This enables them to offer their products and services via Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, Google Shopping, and many other channels—without the need for costly updates across multiple systems. Separate software and time-consuming administrative work are eliminated. 

Usable anywhere, cashless, and powerful—POS Go is no longer a black box for taking payments. It is a comprehensive solution for integrating in-person and online sales, ensuring that businesses are well prepared for digital transformation and able to offer Unified Commerce to their customers. 

Oliver Mickler

Oliver Mickler is Senior Vice President at Unzer and is responsible for implementing the Unified Commerce strategy. This approach consolidates all sales channels onto a single platform and connects them in real time, thereby simplifying business processes and reducing time, costs, and technical complexity. 

Previously, he founded and managed the start-up Tillhub, now part of the Unzer Group, which offers a cloud-based point of sale system for small and medium-sized enterprises. He had already demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit as founder of myDriver.com, which now belongs to the Sixt Group.