The florist industry, like any other in the digital era, continues to evolve and change at a rapid pace. And while technology can simplify a modern florist’s daily life, the amount and varying complexities of Point of Sale (POS) systems and services on the market makes it’s hard to know what works, what doesn’t, and what will save you time and money.

For most flower shop owners, technology’s chief drawing card is that it enables them to focus their energy where it matters most to them: creating beautiful things that makes someone’s day. New shop owners who are starting out would also do well to make sure they understand the limitations and features of the POS they’re considering investing in. So with this in mind, let’s take a quick look at some of the questions you should ask potential florist POS solutions providers before committing a cent to the purchase.

Does it remove paperwork?

Most B2C businesses have a lot of paperwork to process. Whether it’s taking and printing out orders from client requests, filing receipts or extra to-do’s that your staff jotted down on a sticky pad, these paper trails can quickly add up. An effective POS system will have all of the options, variables and items you need built into it so that the vast majority of your paperwork is eliminated.

Does it require a massive investment in hardware?

If you are required to buy an expensive server or additional hardware, then red flags should be going off. The best florist shop POS systems should work with your existing computers, printers and other hardware seamlessly. As a florist, you undoubtedly want effective technology, but you don’t want to get tied to a specific computer or hardware system.

Moreover, managing extra tech gear is the last thing any flower shop owner wants to deal with. Some of the top florist POS systems offer apps on mobile devices, which is very useful in terms of preventing you from becoming the next Solitaire addict.

Is it easy to use and does it have reliable support?

Many florist shops have small teams and an even larger number don’t have a dedicated technical team. Your florist shop POS should be easy and intuitive, with minimal to no training required. Look for a POS that has been specifically designed for the florist industry because these have typically been developed and refined over the years.

Established brands and companies will also be able to give you the training and support that you need to ensure that you aren’t left stranded if something isn’t working properly or if someone in your team is unsure of anything involved with using the system.

Will it help grow sales and improve efficiency?

It can be increasingly difficult to grow your floral business in this day and age. Rising costs and competition, combined with lowering profit margins, means many floral companies have had to start thinking outside of the box to grow and expand their businesses.

The florist shop POS that you invest in should not only be affordable, but it should include powerful features that actually help you grow your sales and improve the efficiency of your floral company. Some of the leading florist POS systems on the market have built-in marketing capabilities that can help with everything from brand awareness to lead generation, lead nurturing and other communication tools that can be used at various stages of the sales cycle.

Features that are tailored to the floral industry

While each floral company will have their own unique value added services, areas of expertise and product offering, the florist shop POS that you invest in should be a one-stop, comprehensive solution that covers all of the areas of your business. Some of the features that you should look out for include automatic ticket printing, house account management, dispatch and routing, wedding/event proPOSals and customer management.

Hana Floral POS is a complete solution offering an entire gamut of features. It is a cloud solution so no backups are needed and your data is always safe, secure and available. You can try Hana Floral POS for free today. Contact us for more information.