Even though different retailers may require different features in their retail software, the following features are key components of any good retail point of sale system: Fast and easy checkouts: Your retail software should streamline your checkout process. Whether you're ringing up sales or processing orders, a few clicks of the mouse should quickly move your customers through the line. Up-to-the-minute inventory picture: Your retail software should improve your inventory management by minimizing your inventory investment and out-of-stock conditions. With the right retail software, you'll always know what's on-hand, on-order, and in-transit. Customer retention: Your retail software should track customer information and include a built-in loyalty program. When you know who your customers are and what they're buying, you can keep them coming back for more. Automated purchasing: Your retail software should not only suggest reorder quantities, it should also allow you to easily place purchase orders with your vendors. Integrated ecommerce: Your retail software package should be able to expand your business to the web with minimum effort and expense. PCI compliancy: Your retail software should protect your customers' credit card information as well as your business. If you're using retail software that's not compliant with PCI DSS standards, you may be subject to hefty fines. Reports library: Your retail software should include an extensive library of built-in reports that you can customize to meet your needs.