Interestingly, software providers can offer useful input to the visioning process—if you turn to those with significant industry experience. Industry challenges, both historical and yet to come, should be second nature to these companies—and they should have extensive experience helping retailers adopt appropriate new technologies. Seek out software providers with a track record of moving readily—but prudently—from one technology curve to the next.
Vision in place? Now, simply choose a suitable system. Not so simple, you say? No, indeed. No one wants to invest in the wrong technology or choose the wrong partnership—yet it does happen, often when the team involved commits one or more of these five common mistakes:
Not involving the head of the organization in the decision-making process
Skipping the planning phase (because it “takes too much time”)
Considering a technology provider that doesn’t truly understand your industry
Assuming you will do things exactly as you do them today
Selecting a vendor that lacks a long-term product vision
Let’s take a closer look at each of these potential traps—and how to avoid them—so you can choose a POS system and provider that will help bring you to the future you’ve envisioned for your organization.