Computers are less of a mystery than they were 20 years ago. E-mail is more and more popular, more and more homes are getting high speed Internet access and every business that is serious about business has a computer or computerized cash register.
When computers were first introduced they may have been a mystery to those amongst us who were untrained. However, over the past several years business owners have become savvier with regard to computers in the workplace.
New employees start with a knowledge of point of sale systems, having worked on them at previous jobs. Learning systems at their new jobs takes less than 15 minutes, especially with the software currently being installed at businesses.
Why Pay for Unnecessary Training?
Smart business owners are installing new point of sale systems themselves and skipping the expensive training that they used to have forced down their throat. There was a time when the installing dealer would charge thousands to install, setup and train their new business owner for the system being installed. Business owners who paid for this training once are finding that they no longer need to pay again for this training.
Yes, software developers do make their package unique in appearance. However, once you get past the appearance you will find that the software is extremely similar in functionality. Think about it. If you can add an item to one software package do you think you could load the same item in another package? Probably so, especially with the help screens and searchable manual that will come with the new package.
Your employees are also coming to you pre-trained by previous employers. This is a valuable asset that you should not take for granted. Training on a new cash register or point of sale system is becoming totally unnecessary and a waste of your valuable money.
Only pay for what you need
If you need training then pay for what you need and not the huge price that the dealer is asking. If this is not your first system then you probably won’t need days of training. You may not even need a full day of training.
Your first step should be to take the manual and get on the system to see how much you are comfortable with. You may be shocked at how much you already know and don’t need any training on at all.
Next, write down your questions on the topics you need help on. Present these questions to the installing dealer and ask them for assistance in these areas instead of a broader spectrum of instruction.
You may even get lucky and find a dealer that does not charge for questions presented in an E-mail format. If you do, take advantage of this opportunity and get your answers that way.
If you must purchase assistance you should consider purchasing help by the hour or maybe a block of hours but you should avoid days and days of help as you probably will not need as much help as they would like to charge for.
Point of Sale Software is no Longer a Mystery
Software developers have been pressured in recent years to produce software that is easier to install, train and maintain. Internet websites have popped up to assist the do-it-yourselfer truly do it themselves.
There once was a time you needed help installing, understanding and maintaining your cash register and point of sale system. That time has passed. You should at least attempt to see how much you already know before you pay the thousands and thousands the point of sale dealers are going to want to install and train on your new system.
