Using POS in retail and hospitality industries is becoming increasingly popular. Since it plays a crucial role in payment transactions and data management, its implementation is impossible without thorough testing.
POS testing can be complex and expensive, but you cannot guarantee the mission-critical software quality without analyzing its core functions. Below, we will analyze the testing types you may apply, as well as the best practices you can use for accurate POS quality examination.
What POS Is and Why You Should Test It
POS stands for Point of Sale. It is a combination of software and hardware used to conduct payment transactions in various business sectors, including stores, hotels, and some service providers.
You need to complete POS testing to evaluate the software’s effectiveness, reliability, and security. Since it requires extensive skills and knowledge, it can be time-consuming and complex. If your team lacks sufficient experience, you can always ask for help from experienced testers. See the link and get the information you need.
Here are the main reasons why you should implement POS in your business and bother with its thorough testing:
- Reducing costs and time. POS performs many operations, so it can replace some programs without extra effort or cost.
- Increasing efficiency. It helps analyze data to monitor user experience, preferences, and business profitability more easily.
- Speeding up service. Customers will not have to stand in lines, and this will probably become one of your main store’s advantages.
POS are multifunctional platforms that significantly impact businesses. Make efforts to verify them carefully and improve the overall results.
Types of Testing to Consider
When examining payment software, you can use different POS testing scenarios. However, there are several mandatory testing types to include. POS works at two levels, application and enterprise, therefore, here are their key types to pay attention to:
- Functional. It is designed to check whether all the functions work correctly.
- Compatibility. Your software and hardware should be compatible with different devices and additional programs.
- Usability. Different people can use POS and they should be able to navigate its interface easily.
- Compliance with regulations and laws. Since POS processes large amounts of payment data, it should store it securely and not conflict with the state legislation.
- Performance. The software can be subjected to different loads and should withstand them without failures.
In addition, you should check the POS’s security against hacker attacks and its ability to quickly perform regression tests after updates.
Physical Devices to Check
POS consists of different devices. To make sure that the system is working smoothly and correctly, you should examine each of them. Here is their short list:
- POS terminal. Check the payment methods and interface. Verify that all calculations are correct and the functions are working.
- Display. You need to ensure that it is synchronized with the terminal and displays the same information.
- Reader. Try scanning different products to check that each of them is available in the database.
- Cash register. It should support different payment options and process them automatically.
- Printer. It must print all the necessary information without mistakes. The receipt data should be clearly visible.
Your point of sale has to function as one large system without delays and failures. Your goal is to achieve a high level of payment platform integration that does not provide errors.
Some Best Practices for Testing POS
To improve the examination results, you can use several proven tips and tricks.
Develop a Detailed Plan and Follow It
Identify which devices you will test and what testing types and methodologies you will use.
Use Variable Test Data
You should consider different data to verify most of them.
Perform End-to-End Testing
In other words, test the functionality from the beginning to the end to ensure that the entire process runs smoothly.
Involve Real Users
This practice will help you understand how user-friendly and easy to navigate your software is.
Implement Automation
It will speed up the execution of regression testing and help determine the software is free of defects after an update.
Check for Recoverability
Any product can fail. You need to ensure that essential data will not be lost and that you can recover it regardless of the failure.
Assess Compliance with Legislative Norms
Get acquainted with the legislative requirements and check that the product does not contradict with any regulatory documents.
Testing POS may take some time, but it is a mandatory stage before launching. If you do not test the software and allow a poor-quality product to enter the market, you can ruin your reputation and not receive the expected profits.
