The Complete Buyers' Guide
Are you drowning in work orders? Do you frequently run out of your most popular mats and mouldings? Are customers less-than-happy with your communication and turnaround times?
If any of these problems sound familiar, it’s time to upgrade your frame shop point of sale (POS) system .
Investing in a new POS system is a huge decision, but being informed can help you make the right one for your business. That’s why we created this comprehensive buyers’ guide to frame shop POS systems.
In the following chapters, we’ll share everything you need to know before making the switch to a new POS solution, including:
You might think of a POS system as a simple cash register, but modern POS systems designed for the framing industry can do so much more. Along with processing sales transactions, this tool can shape the consultation process, track the status of work orders, monitor inventory levels, and more.
Investing in this powerful technology is a win-win for you and your customers.
You’ll save time and boost profits by automating your day-to-day processes and generating quotes that reflect the value of your services. Customers will enjoy better consultations , clearer communication, and faster turnaround times.
Process transactions quickly and securely, building customers’ trust and ensuring a smooth shopping experience.
Monitor your shop’s inventory levels in real time to ensure you have enough of your most popular framing supplies.
Generate thorough quotes for custom framing projects to help customers understand the materials needed, labor involved, and total price.
Keep an eye on each framing job and its progress to boost efficiency and ensure quick turnarounds.
Get an overview of your revenue and sales over the past day, week, month, or year.
Access your POS software, check on work orders, and more from any device, at any time.
You can customize your order tracking system, adding or eliminating status stages to match your shop’s workflow.
Send an automatic update when a customer’s frame is ready for pickup, or send an email blast to your full customer list to announce new promotions and options.
Maintain a running list of your customers, their contact information, work order history, and any other notes.
Use your POS system to browse and order directly from trusted mat and moulding providers like Nielson, Roma, Omega, and more.
Use frame visualization tools like FrameVue to show customers exactly what their project will look like and help them feel more confident in their style decisions.
Get real-time inventory updates while quoting and visualizing a customer’s order to ensure accurate estimates and clear communication.
Manage multiple frame shop locations from one single platform. Check work orders, inventory levels, and sales reports to ensure each shop is running smoothly.
Most frame shop POS software solutions run on any kind of computer — whether Windows, Mac, or Linux.
Most frame shop POS software solutions run on any kind of computer — whether Windows, Mac, or Linux.
A computer monitor with a bright, clear display is a must — especially if you plan to browse frame options with customers and use virtual frame visualization tools.
Don’t forget to purchase a keyboard, mouse, and mouse pad for each computer!
A pinpad allows you to accept credit, debit, and mobile wallet payments. We recommend investing in a pinpad that seamlessly integrates with your POS software to speed up checkouts and avoid pricing errors.
A barcode scanner can help you organize inventory, perform quick stock counts, and ring up simple purchases.
A tablet offers a convenient way to access your POS software on the go — whether you’re discussing frames with a customer on the sales floor or away from your shop.
Relying on a frame shop-specific POS solution like LifeSaver will give you access to the features you need and a support team that understands your business and goals.
The world of POS system pricing can seem mysterious, so we put together this list of fees to look for as you get quotes from different providers:
Expect to pay a monthly fee to access your POS software. Most providers use a tiered pricing model, which means you can access basic features for a lower fee or unlock advanced tools by paying a higher subscription cost.
Some POS providers require you to purchase hardware from them, while others have a “bring your own” hardware policy. You can purchase hardware upfront or pay a monthly fee for a hardware and software bundle.
If you choose a provider that offers integrated payment processing, expect to pay a small flat or percentage-based fee for each card transaction.
Ideally, your POS provider will offer training and support at no additional cost, but some companies charge a fee for access to their support team.
If you sign a long-term contract with a POS provider, make sure to ask about the cancellation terms and fees.
Our final tip is to explore each POS system from the driver’s seat.
Most POS providers offer live demonstrations, allowing you to see their software in action, determine how user-friendly the interface is, and ask questions in real time.
These demos are also an excellent opportunity to gauge the quality of the provider’s customer service and support. The representative leading your demo should be friendly, comfortable with the software, and understand your shop’s needs.
If you book a demo of LifeSaver, you’ll also have access to a free trial of our POS software. You can explore the system at your own pace, deep dive into its features, and make a confident decision about whether it’s the right fit for your shop.
