January 24, 2023
The Importance and Need of Accepting Cash
In today’s high-tech digital age, it’s easy to assume cash is no longer a relevant form of payment. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, there are many benefits to accepting cash payments within your business alongside credit cards within your Point of Sale system.
- Increased sales: Some customers may prefer to pay with cash because it’s what they have on hand or because they prefer to limit their credit card usage. By offering the option to pay with cash, you’ll be able to appeal to a wider range of customers and potentially increase your sales.
- Increased security: While credit card transactions have security measures in place to protect against fraud, there is still a risk of data breaches. Accepting cash eliminates this risk and can provide an added layer of security for both your business and your customers.
- Improved customer satisfaction: Offering a variety of payment options can improve customer satisfaction by giving them the flexibility to choose their preferred method of payment. This can lead to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth recommendations.
- Lower fees: Credit card processing fees can add up over time, particularly for small businesses. Accepting cash can help reduce these fees and increase your profit margin.
- Increased accessibility: Not everyone has access to a credit card or bank account, making it difficult for them to make purchases. By accepting cash, you’ll be able to serve a wider range of customers and potentially increase your customer base.
In conclusion, accepting cash payments within your business alongside credit cards can provide a range of benefits. Benefits including increased sales, increased security, improved customer satisfaction, lower fees, and increased accessibility. New Mexico POS offers top of the line Point of Sale systems that can handle any type of payment your business requires. Don’t underestimate the power of cash – it’s still a relevant and important form of payment in today’s world.
January 20, 2023
The Evolution of Point of Sale Systems
A point of sale (POS) system is a vital component of any retail or hospitality business. It serves as the central hub for managing transactions, tracking inventory, and gathering customer data. Over the years, POS systems have undergone significant evolution, evolving from simple cash registers to complex, all-in-one terminals. Since New Mexico POS’ starting year, 1991, we’ve been apart of said evolution at the forefront, providing New Mexico and surrounding areas the necessary tools for businesses to elevate customer and staff experience.
Early POS systems were nothing more than mechanical cash registers, which were invented in the late 19th century. These early registers were used to record the price of each item purchased, as well as the total cost of the transaction to be consolidated at the end of a cashier’s shift. As the use of credit and debit cards became more widespread, electronic cash registers were developed that could process card transactions and handle higher business demands at the same time.
With the rise of computers, POS systems began to incorporate more advanced features. Some systems allowed retailers to track inventory, process returns and exchanges, and generate reports. Others offered customer relationship management (CRM) tools, such as loyalty programs and email marketing.
Today’s POS systems, such as Focus POS and GoTab, are highly sophisticated and can do much more than just process transactions. New Mexico POS offers all-in-one POS terminals offer a range of features, including:
- Inventory management: POS systems can track inventory levels, alerting retailers when it’s time to restock.
- Online Ordering: A seamless integration to a store’s POS system, where customers can input orders and pay their check online.
- Customer management: POS systems can store customer data, including contact information and purchase history, making it easier to build relationships and target marketing efforts.
- Marketing and loyalty programs: POS systems can help retailers create and manage loyalty programs, as well as send targeted marketing messages to customers based on their purchase history.
- Employee management: POS systems can track employee hours and sales, as well as manage schedules and payroll.
- Analytics and reporting: POS systems can generate a variety of reports, including sales data, inventory levels, and customer demographics, helping retailers make informed business decisions.
As technology continues to advance, it’s likely that POS systems will become even more sophisticated and feature-rich. Some experts predict that in the future, POS systems will be fully integrated with artificial intelligence, allowing retailers to gain even deeper insights into their operations and customers. Others suggesting Point of Sale will be operating without staff or minimum staff, having customers input their orders via phone/kiosk systems.
The evolution of POS systems has greatly benefited retailers and hospitality businesses, providing them with the tools they need to run their operations more efficiently and effectively. As the technology continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how POS systems continue to shape the retail and hospitality industries. For the latest technology available today, contact New Mexico POS for the easiest and most profitable solutions.
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December 28, 2022
Importance of a POS in your business
A comprehensive point of sale (POS) system can be a valuable tool for improving efficiency in a restaurant. By automating many of the tasks involved in managing a restaurant, a POS system can help streamline operations and improve customer service.
One of the key benefits of a POS system is that it can help reduce the time and effort involved in managing orders and payments. Instead of taking orders and handling payment manually, a POS system allows restaurant staff to enter orders directly into the system and process payments quickly and securely. This can help speed up the ordering process and reduce the risk of errors, which can save time and improve customer satisfaction.
In addition to managing orders and payments, a comprehensive POS system can also help with inventory management. By tracking sales and inventory levels in real-time, a POS system can help a restaurant owner or manager ensure that they have the right products on hand to meet customer demand. This can help reduce waste and avoid the cost and inconvenience of running out of popular items.
Another benefit of a POS system is that it can provide valuable insights into a restaurant’s operations. Many POS systems come with detailed reporting and analytics features that can help restaurant owners and managers track sales, understand customer behavior, and identify opportunities for improvement. This information can be invaluable for making data-driven decisions and optimizing operations.
Overall, implementing a comprehensive POS system can help a restaurant improve efficiency and streamline operations. By automating key tasks, providing valuable insights, and improving customer service, a POS system can help a restaurant grow and succeed.
New Mexico POS is dedicated to providing your business with the tools needed to succeed in today’s demanding customer service environment. Call us today at (505)-293-7551 or view our products and take a look around!
December 19, 2022
An All-In-One Terminal vs Desktop Computers
As a business owner, it’s important to choose the right tools to help you run your business effectively and efficiently. One key decision you’ll need to make is how you’ll process sales transactions on your Points of Sale (POS).
Using a desktop home computer may seem like an easy and cost-effective solution, but it’s important to consider the potential risks and drawbacks. Here are a few reasons why an all-in-one POS terminal may be a better choice for your business:
- Security: An all-in-one POS terminal is specifically designed for secure transactions. It includes features like encrypted card readers and secure payment processing to protect your customers’ personal and financial information. On the other hand, a home computer may not have the same level of security measures in place, making it more vulnerable to data breaches and hacking.
- Reliability: An all-in-one POS terminal is built to handle the demands of a busy retail or restaurant environment. It’s designed to be used all day, every day, and can withstand the wear and tear of constant use. A home computer, on the other hand, may not be as reliable and could potentially crash or malfunction during a busy sales period.
- Professionalism: An all-in-one POS terminal gives your business a more professional appearance. Customers will have confidence in your business knowing that you’re using a dedicated, secure device to process their transactions. Using a home computer may not convey the same level of professionalism and could potentially lead to customer concerns about the security of their information.
- Functionality: An all-in-one POS terminal is designed to handle a wide range of tasks, including accepting payments, processing returns, tracking inventory, and generating reports. It’s a one-stop solution for all of your sales needs. A home computer may not have the same level of functionality and may require additional software or hardware to perform these tasks.
In conclusion, an all-in-one POS terminal is a more secure, reliable, professional, and functional choice for processing sales transactions. While a home computer may seem like a convenient solution, it’s important to consider the potential risks and drawbacks. Investing in a dedicated POS terminal will not only help you run your business more efficiently, but it will also give your customers confidence in the security and professionalism of your business.
Come see what we have to offer from GoTab!
December 7, 2022
Accepting Credit Cards in your business
The security risks of accepting credit cards in your business can be significant. As a business owner, it’s important to understand these risks and take steps to mitigate them in order to protect your business and your customers.
One of the biggest risks of accepting credit cards is the potential for credit card fraud. This can happen when someone uses a stolen or fake credit card to make a purchase from your business. In some cases, the fraudster may even have access to the cardholder’s personal information, such as their name, address, and Social Security number. This can allow them to make unauthorized charges to the cardholder’s account, potentially leaving your business on the hook for the charges.
Another risk of accepting credit cards is the potential for data breaches. With the increasing use of technology in the retail industry, it’s important for businesses to have secure systems in place to protect their customers’ sensitive information. However, even the most secure systems can be vulnerable to hackers, who may be able to access and steal credit card numbers, names, addresses, and other personal information. This can lead to serious financial losses for both your business and your customers.
In addition to these risks, accepting credit cards can also expose your business to potential legal and regulatory liabilities. For example, if your business experiences a data breach, you may be required to notify your customers and provide them with information about how to protect themselves from potential fraud. You may also be subject to fines and other penalties from regulatory bodies.
To protect your business from these risks, it’s important to take a number of steps. First, you should make sure that your systems and processes for accepting credit cards are secure. This may include implementing security measures such as encryption and secure sockets layer (SSL) technology to protect your customers’ sensitive information. You should also regularly monitor your systems for signs of suspicious activity, and have protocols in place for dealing with potential fraud or data breaches.
Another important step is to educate your employees about the risks of accepting credit cards and how to protect against them. This can include providing training on how to spot and prevent credit card fraud, as well as how to handle data breaches and other security incidents.
Finally, it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in credit card security and stay compliant with any relevant laws and regulations. This can help you avoid potential legal and regulatory liabilities and protect your business from the risks of accepting credit cards.
In conclusion, accepting credit cards can bring many benefits to your business, but it’s important to be aware of the potential security risks and take steps to protect yourself and your customers. By implementing secure systems, educating your employees, and staying up-to-date on the latest developments in credit card security, you can help ensure the safety of your business and your customers.
New Mexico POS is dedicated to making sure your business is secure and ready for any issue that may arise with credit card processing as well as saving you money with offering exceptional rates.
Contact New Mexico POS to see how we can improve your business and save you money!
January 6, 2022
Credit Card Processor Down?! Again!? Point of Sale Tips!
In 2021, a lot has changed in the restaurant industry due to pandemic guidelines, customer and employee safety, and government mandates. Restaurateurs have overcome all of the recent obstacles thrown at them bruised, but not beaten and not finished serving devoted customers of their establishments. Through the struggle of staying in business during modern times and the unrelenting perseverance of the people who give it life, it seems there is only one thing that could bring a restaurant to a grinding halt – point of sale system notifying Credit Card Processing DOWN.
Though this can happen several different ways, it always ends in the same result. Customers wanting to pay and cashiers or servers not being able to charge and close the check. Panic ensues, justifiably, and there’s only finite solutions to the problem.
Check your internet connection
The most common problem starts at your internet and ends at your credit card processing device. Whether it be an integrated point of sale solution or a stand alone credit card terminal, they all need internet to process credit cards. There are several different ways to check for internet but the easiest is to try going to a website like Google! It will notify you that there is a problem by saying no internet connection or DNS not resolved. Another way to see the status of your internet connection is by looking on the Modem. Make sure it’s powered on and there is a solid green light on the internet icon. New Mexico POS recommends to check all cables are plugged in securely and if so, give the modem a reboot.
Check the status of your processor
Some credit card processors have downtime and you’re at their mercy. Going to the processors website should have a link or notification about their services being down. If so, there is sadly not much you can do until their services are back online. If your Point of Sale software allows an offline mode, like Focus POS, switch to the mode and continue taking credit cards until the processor service is up and running. Another option would to have credit card slips readily available for the inevitable. Though considered obsolete, this method could keep your establishment running smoothly until service is restored.
Check all cables
Cables come loose, mysteriously and unknowingly at any given time. It’s a good idea to make sure all connections are secured into their designated slot. If the pin pad device is disconnected from the point of sale terminal, you’ll start receiving errors. Same if the computer won’t turn on, it could very well be the power cable is disconnected.
Call your Point of Sale Help Desk
When all else fails during moments of chaos, the last option is to call your point of sale provider’s help desk. They can quickly troubleshoot the issue, sometimes even resolving it through remote support. New Mexico POS provides around the clock support for all customers.
Though it can be troublesome and a complete mess at times, customers using cards isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. The best advice is to have backups in place and a redundancy plan when it fails so your business is affected very little. New Mexico POS prides itself in training customers to take the necessary steps to activate their offline mode and give support in case anything arises. Match that with the best credit card rates you could possibly get in New Mexico and you have yourself a winner!
Thinking of switching to a company who is local and will give you better rates? Call New Mexico POS at 505-293-7551.
December 2, 2020
POStcards
New Mexico POS has begun a mailing campaign!
We’ve created a variety of different post cards to promote our business and get the word out!
Take a preview of the newest cards being mailed locally and throughout New Mexico to get Point of Sale word around!
Have questions or interested in anything posted? Don’t hesitate to contact us!
October 30, 2020
Choosing the right Network for your Point of Sale
It’s common knowledge when you’re wanting to connect your computer to your home’s router, you need to head to the nearest store and purchase an Ethernet cable. You connect it to the specified port behind the tower and BAM! You’re connected to the internet!
But is it that simple for your business?
The simple, yet unfortunate answer is, No.
In a business environment you have to take several things into factor before connecting everything at one location.
Credit Card Processing and PCI Compliance
The most common mistake business owners make is processing payments over the same network the business writes emails, surfs the web, streams music, etc. This is a costly mistake! Processors have written into their clauses what is called a PCI Compliance and their guidelines to comply with them. One of the easiest ways to follow the rule set is to keep your network processing credit cards and the network handling every other aspect of the business separated.
As shown above, the firewall is what ALL point of sale equipment is attached to the Firewall. The firewall is then attached to ISP (internet service provider) equipment to obtain internet. In this diagram, it prevents all outside network activity to access anything containing credit card data.
Wireless Access Points and Guest Wifi
Most businesses will offer free Wifi for their guests. This may present some trouble as the business will have to double up on their wireless networks for the same reason above if they are planning on using any wireless devices to ring orders. Because there is processing on the network, even if not on the actual wireless device, it must be separate from all other devices outside of the network. Surveying the site for potential dead zones and interference is a great way to plan for the optimum connectivity and an estimate to how much the optimum connectivity will cost.
Wiring
Not all ethernet cables are built the same and all serve different purposes though they all look similar, using an RJ45 connector. When testing wire or having wire ran throughout the business, factors such as speed, distance, and cost come into effect.
Cat5e, the most common, will work for most businesses as it has a 1 Gbps (1000 Mbps) connection capability and can keep a stable speed for up to 100 meters. New Mexico POS recommends this wire for all point of sale terminals and peripherals unless unique situations are introduced such as server towers, managed switches, domains, etc.
Cat5 aka fast ethernet is an older and slower version of wire and is still capable of connecting a network but is not advised. This wire is capable of reaching 10/100 Mbps speeds for up to 100 meters.
Cat6a, the premium and fastest option has capabilities of connection speeds of 10 Gbps but comes in at a stable speed length of almost less than half of Cat5e, at 55 meters. It is comparable to Cat7, which does not use a traditional RJ45 connector. This is considered overkill for a point of sale network unless unique and custom items are introduced to the network.
If you would like to read further into versions of Cat cables, we found this website as a great resource. Cable Matters
Questions? Concerns? Reach out to us!
Office: 505-293-7551
July 15, 2020
New Mexico Patio Service & Take Out Only – July 2020
As of Monday, July 13th, 2020, New Mexico’s Governor has restricted restaurants from serving indoors and only allowing businesses to serve on an outside patio or provide take out.
These restrictions placed upon New Mexico’s restaurants can be a devastating blow. New Mexico POS would like to offer any assistance we could possibly give to clients and future clients alike.
When front of the house, indoor dining, and traditional serving is interrupted, it is important to give your customers additional options to place orders without compromising social distancing rules and Covid regulations.
Through Focus POS, we have set in place:
– Website (Online Ordering)
– Phone Ordering
– 3rd Party Intergration (Grubhub, UberEats, etc.)
– Mobile Applications
The governor has been very clear that if New Mexico’s COVID-19 cases continued to trend upwards, the state would need to retract some of the reopening measures we had been able to enact, including indoor dining.
Nora Sackett, a spokesperson for the governor’s office
After ordering, it’s crucial that you get the food in the customer’s hands and we’ve also got it covered.
– Walk up counter service
– Drive-thru
– Curbside
– Delivery
Additionally, New Mexico POS can provide other solutions, such as order ready texting, delivery courier charges / zone charges, and much more.
If any business owners have any questions or concerns, we would be more than happy to help, old to new. Please call us at 505-293-7551 if there is any way we can help.
February 10, 2020
Benefits of Better Hardware for your Point of Sale Software
Benefits of Better Hardware for your Point of Sale Software
As time goes on, the demand of resources software requires heightens. Your point of sale system may feel the effects of this demand after owning it for years. Luckily, New Mexico POS is a dealer for Focus POS, a product which moves across hardware platforms without losing any functionality. Though we currently have customers with their original hardware (dating back to mid 2000’s!) we have many who desire either a energy efficient solution or to be on the bleeding edge of technology and speed.
Why are my computers slow?
This question has various answers but the most straight forward is, your computers are outdated due to the demand of newer software resources and under a constant work load. A good comparison would be, if you bought your new Point of Sale System 10 years ago, it still may function but not to your liking. Same would be if you bought a 1st or 2nd generation iPhone in 2010. It will have the basic necessities, such as 3G wireless, 2.4ghz wifi connection, speaker phone, etc. but it will not have anywhere near the same features, functionality, or speed as a iPhone 11, released in 2020. The two aren’t even in the same conversation as far as performance, though 2010 phones were top tier in their time. The same goes for your business’ computer system. The best, most future proof, and cost efficient solution is to replace your old system with another. The benefits of newer technology, functionality, and efficiency will have you wondering why you didn’t replace them sooner! But, if you’re not ready to let your system go just yet, luckily there are some tricks to keep your system alive.
Component Upgrades
Your Point of Sale Workstation’s speed is dictated by these main factors:
– Processor
– Hard drive Speed
– RAM
each of which, if eligible to upgrade, will give an improvement to user end experience tremendously.
Reiterating from the first article, specifications of computers and workstations a decade ago have double or tripled in processing power. An upgrade of specific components can give the desired speed until systems can be replaced in whole.
Contact New Mexico POS to see in which ways we can speed up your workstations today!
What Are Other Ways I Can Speed Up My System?
Network, network, network!
Network capabilities are dependent on type of wire (cat5, cat5e, cat6, etc.), network adapters (10/100/1000 mpbs), Switch and Router modules, Wireless Access Point speeds for Wifi.
These can be built and regardless of hardware, will provide an excellent foundation for any future upgrades or changes.
At the minimum, every workstation requires a dedicated connection to the switch where the Server is located. Every Wireless device on the system requires an adequate wireless signal and coverage. This will guarantee the fastest possible communication between devices on the network.
Not Convinced? Have Questions?
Reach out to us! We’re constantly on the go but everyone at New Mexico POS would love to make time for you.
Call our office! 505-293-7551
Hope to hear from you soon!
Don Valles