At retailers of all sizes, point of sale (POS) systems are overtaking the traditional cash register to manage transactions and interactions with customers. Simply put, a POS system “is the hardware and software that allows a business to process customer payments for products and services.” POS systems have become the central component of businesses, serving as “the hub where everything—like sales, inventory and customer management--merges.” Increased efficiency, ease of use, expanded payment capabilities, and reporting are just some of the myriad benefits of such a system.
Commercial retailers aren’t the only folks who can derive value from POS systems. In fact, museums and cultural attractions have begun to adopt new and improved POS software to improve their operations, gather information, and simplify workflow. With all of the latest and greatest innovations in software over the past few years, there are more POS options than ever before! Maybe you’re on the search for a new POS or in need of a major upgrade, so we’ve compiled a list of helpful tips and resources to help you on your journey.
What are the advantages of upgrading to a POS system? Just like businesses, nonprofits can reap some of the best rewards of such technology. POS systems can offer efficiency at the admissions desk, increased sales, improved guest experience, integration with your existing CRM, reporting, and other perks. Let’s take a look at the top benefits!
1. Streamline transaction processing.
Advanced, cloud-based POS systems make it possible to sell admission tickets, memberships, gift shop items, and concessions all from one easy-to-use, centralized platform. This means that transactions can be processed quickly and smoothly, ensuring admissions is more streamlined. Some POS systems come with mobile ticketing options, which can be an added perk for digitally-savvy visitors. And all visitors will experience a more personalized experience, as efficient POS systems free up time for meaningful interactions between museum admissions staff and visitors that go beyond long lines and slow moving transactions.
2. Gain insight into your audience
Increasingly, cultural nonprofits are striving to be more data-driven. A new POS system can be an important step to achieving that. More advanced point of sale systems allow you to view sales trends by type of guest, time of day, day of the week. Several POS systems on the market offer visitor analytics that can track demographic information, repeat visitors, and other important information. A POS system can also integrate with your customer relationship (CRM) system, allowing you to gain even deeper insights into how you are interacting with your constituents. Finally, a POS system facilitates the convergence of data from several departments of an organization, so you can analyze and manage data from an organization-wide perspective.
3. Improve the membership experience.
Major cultural institutions like the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York reimagined and revamped their point of sale systems with the specific goal of supporting membership sales and renewals on site. At the MoMA, for example, one of the biggest pain points was the long queue at the membership desk. Additionally, separate desks were required for different types of memberships – individual, family, and corporate. A mobile-based point of sale system allowed MoMA to streamline all membership operations and handle all memberships from the same platform, reducing confusion, eliminating the need for separate desks, and improving the member experience. If you’re looking to sell more memberships, a next-generation POS system can help you get there!
So, you’re thinking about a new POS system? Here are some options:
Altru is a comprehensive ticketing, fundraising, and membership management software by Blackbaud, one of the largest and most trusted providers of nonprofit software. In short, it is a combo CRM and POS system designed especially for arts and cultural general admissions organizations like aquariums, gardens, museums, and zoos. It is cloud-based, intuitive, and used by some of the biggest cultural organization out there, including the San Antonio Zoo and RISD Museum. Another perk? It seamlessly integrates directly with Cuseum Digital Membership Cards for a seamless experience end-to-end. 👍
Download our Guide: How to Launch & Succeed with Digital Membership Cards for the latest info on integration options!
Accesso offers a POS solution that is trusted by over 1,000 venues across the globe.Their software includes special features like timed ticketing, guest management, as well as docent scheduling. Accesso also integrates with Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge NXT and Salesforce, making it another easy choice if you already leverage one of these CRMs. The International Spy Museum and Cincinnati Museum Center are just some of the organization utilizing this POS system. Accesso also works with major attractions like Six Flags.
KMIT FocusPoint360 is a versatile platform, serving organizations ranging in size from 80,000 to over 3 million visitors. Their POS system integrates ticketing, membership, bookings, and group sales, and they also offer an e-commerce platform. KMIT offers software designed to help organizations gain a 360-view of data across sales outlets to make better decisions. They are an especially attractive option to zoos and aquariums: Texas State Aquarium and Woodland Park Zoo are some of the big organization leveraging their solutions.
TAM has been offering POS solutions since 1980, serving organizations including museums, zoos, aquariums, gardens, parks, and public lands. TAM is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and American Alliance of Museum, and it integrates with Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge! Prominent organizations like the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and the Orlando Museum of Art use their POS solution, which is called Assistant Manager.
Gateway offers the Galaxy POS ticketing system, which is especially appealing to attractions. Gateway provides a variety of channels to purchase tickets, including at the front gate or through kiosks, on an online web store, through a group sales web store, through resellers at area hotels and hospitality businesses, and at other local businesses. Gateway has a strong track record with major attractions and theme parks, and also supports a number of UK clients! Some of their big customers are the West Edmonton Mall (which includes an amusement park, waterpark, and underground aquarium!) Fort Worth Zoo, and Utah’s Hogle Zoo.
Doubleknot is a POS with children-oriented organizations in mind. Doubleknot’s clients include Boy and Girl Scout Councils, gardens, science museums, and children’s museums. One of the special perks is its Education and Group Sale feature, which simplifies managing group visits, field trips, tours, camps and classes. Doubleknot serves the Military Heritage Museum, Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, and the IMAG History and Science Center, among other major organizations.
The “New Kids on the Block” of POS systems:
ACME
ACME provides POS systems to some of the biggest museums and cultural organizations in the United States. Built from the ground up in the cloud era, ACME is one of the newer solutions on the POS and ticketing scene. Among their clients are MoMA, the Barnes Foundation, and the National Archives. ACME integrates with other high-capacity CRMs, including Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge NXT and Salesforce. If you already use one of these CRMs, and are looking for a POS system that is reliable and scalable for a large amount of traffic, ACME could be the right choice.
Veevart is a top pick for small museums and galleries. It’s built on top of Salesforce, so if you're a part of the Salesforce.org Nonprofit Cloud this might be the solution for you. For galleries, it provides a platform to manage contacts, sales, email, inventory, and exhibition preparation within one app. One of their top clients is the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami.
Shopify is one of the biggest POS and e-commerce solutions on the broader market. While they primarily serve commercial businesses, their solutions can also be used at nonprofit organizations. Shopify gives special rates to nonprofits and charities, and includes all updates and upgrades to the platform within the monthly fee, which means the services will keep improving at no additional cost. Additionally, Shopify offers more advanced analytics than some platforms which are primarily designed for nonprofits. The World Wildlife Foundation, Charity Water, and Cascadia Art Museum are just a few organizations that leverage Shopify.
Now, how do you choose your POS system from all these options?
Consider the size and budget of your organization. Depending on whether you’re a small historic house, a large aquarium, an encyclopedic art museum, or a major amusement park, your needs and budget may vary considerably. Your POS system should be scalable to your organizational size and work within your budget. Don’t forget that the return on investment of a new POS system is high, so it’s worth the cost!
Consider your specific needs. Needs also vary by type of organization. For example, if you’re a children’s museum or science museum, you may want a POS system that allows you to enroll your annual summer camps. If you’re an outdoor park where much of your revenue comes from concessions, it’s important that food operations is included in your POS system capabilities. If you’re a gallery with a popular gift shop, your POS system should be able to manage inventory. Consider what your sources of revenue are, and choose a POS system that is optimized for your specific needs.
Start with your CRM. Do you already use a CRM like Salesforce or Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge? If so, you might consider choosing a POS system that integrates with your existing CRM. Ask your CRM provider about their third-party integrations and learn more about their partner ecosystem. This will save you a lot of headaches, as well make data-gathering and analytics that much easier. You can also choose a POS provider like Altru, which is a combo CRM and POS system, and allows you to have everything you need in one place.
Seek advice from peer organizations. Your peers face many of the same challenges and pain points as you do, so use them as a resource! Friends and colleagues in the museum and nonprofit industry, conferences, and networking events can be a great place to gather advice and feedback about what POS systems are working for other organizations like you.
Look for support and synergy from your POS provider. Getting a new POS system can be a pretty big undertaking, and it’s more than just about the technology. You’re also going to be interacting with new people and a new company as you get your POS system up and running. It’s important that this new vendor understands your goals and mission, provides complete training, and offer continual customer support. Synergy is vital!
POS systems are constantly advancing in their capabilities. While they began as a more streamlined alternative to the cash register, they are increasingly expanding to integrate with new digital tools, facilitate e-commerce, provide sales analytics, and much more. To stay ahead, now is the time to start thinking about the value an upgraded POS system can unlock for your organization!
Do use a POS system? Have a favorite POS system that isn’t listed here? Are you thinking about new ways to leverage technology at your organization? Let us know your thoughts!