2012 Review of Intuit QuickBooks Point of Sale 2013

Intuit — QuickBooks Point of Sale 2013
866-379-6636
http://intuitpayments.com/POS

From the Aug. 2012 Review of Point-of-Sale Systems.

Best Fit:
With the revamped point of sale product from QuickBooks, they have succeeded in expanding their market considerably. Making use of Cloud technology along with flexible payment options make this a good product for small to mid-sized retailers with up to 20 locations that do not process a high level of sales transactions.

Strengths

• Easy to install and setup
• The addition of the Go Payment app add flexible payment options
• Good reporting options
• Slight learning curve
• Affordable pricing and good support system

Potential Limitations

• Integrated shipping option could be stronger
• Not suited for high volume retailers, but suitable for SMBs with multiple locations or single store high volume payments.
• Users may potentially outgrow

I continue to be impressed by the number of new features that QuickBooks offers annually. Never content to remain static, they are constantly coming out with new features that make their easy to use software even more valuable. This has never been more true than with the upcoming release of QuickBooks Point of Sale 2013, a revised, revamped version of its already strong point of sale software that now offers more portability and more flexibility that retailers need.

BASIC SYSTEM FUNCTIONS: 4.75 Stars

The latest version of QuickBooks POS is quicker than ever to install, and easier system setup makes it even easier for retailers to start utilizing the product, with the ability to enter a minimal amount of information and enter the rest at a later date. QuickBooks POS 2013 has also returned to its roots, using the familiar, yet enhanced system navigator that makes it easy to toggle between multiple screens. The “I want to” feature makes it easy to the function you wish to utilize, and making a sale is a breeze. A menu at the top of the navigation screen provides access to Point of Sale options, as well as Customers, Inventory, Purchasing, Employees, Financial, and Reports.

Flexible data entry options allow users to enter product information on the fly, never interrupting a sale. Cashiers can also access other buttons such as Give Discount, Add New Item, Accept Return, or Quick Pick Items, which allows users to group specific items together. Managers can create employee groups for those with similar access requirements. Managers can also assign rights based on general information as well. Access can also be assigned by job description, with some employees given all rights, and others given access to only point of sale options, reporting options, customers, inventory, and other financial information.

The level of flexibility here enables all employees to access what they need to do their job. Customizable navigator buttons make it easy to create an interface that is user friendly and suitable for all employees, and the fully customizable dashboard offers management a great tool for reviewing historical sales data, along with bestselling items, departmental statistics, and payment data and other statistical information.

Lookup fields are found throughout the product, and are abundant in the point of sale interface screen, and the latest version can support up to 20 stores, with all data transmitted to headquarters as needed. The ability to toggle between multiple screens allows users to process returns, apply a discount, and ring up a sale without exiting to another program area. QuickBooks POS Inventory allows users to enter multiple pricing levels, along with simultaneous product markdown levels. Intuit also offers users an e-commerce add-on product that integrates with both QuickBooks Point of Sale and all QuickBooks financial products as well.

SPECIALIZED FEATURES/SERVICES: 4.5 Stars