point of sale terminal

A point of sale terminal is basically a computer with preloaded software designated to keep track of a facility's sales.

The point of sale (sometimes called the point of purchase) refers to any point in a store where sales take place. However, the norm is to have the POS system at a strategic location within the store, preferably at the checkout or counter area.

Thus, the POS terminals' innate function is to make transactions possible and allow customers to checkout. The system cycle involves reading credit and debit cards, authorizing purchases, followed by a prompt to print a receipt.

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