Not long ago, touchscreens were among those categories of technology that were nice—but not essential—for retailers to have. Today, nothing could be further from the truth, because touchscreen monitors are an essential for retailers and restaurant operators alike. In fact, pcAmerica rarely ships a point of sale system that lacks a touchscreen component.

In short, to obtain a true picture of how well your retail business faring, you need a completely accurate accounting of how much inventory you own. And computerizing your point of sale system with a solution like pcAmerica’s Cash Register Express makes that job a lot easier.

If your business is not performing to your liking—either entirely or partially—step back and give your playbook an honest evaluation. What’s working? What’s not? Why? Some of this information can be gleaned through a thorough review of point of sale data maintained in systems such as pcAmerica’s Cash Register Express and Restaurant Pro Express.

Current predictions and trends indicate that the time may be ripe to loosen the purse strings. For one thing, retail sales are trending upward, and other factors justify an optimistic forecast going forward.

Similarly, some retailers are taking a look at point of sale data analyses and tailoring their pitches to a wireless world with time- and location-based mobile marketing. For example, a convenience store owner might text information about a lunchtime deal to a “frequent shopper club” member’s cell phone at noon, and then, once he’s in the store, offer additional personalized promotions in line with previous purchases.

Data analysis that reveals common purchasing affinities can also be used to put together more creative, effective promotions. For example, if you notice that two particular items are frequently bought together, you can structure a “buy two of each, get one of each free” offer.

But what’s even scarier about these statistics is the increasing sophistication of the perpetrators who are behind them. For example, criminals have recently figured out a way to “hijack” checking account data from point of sale and other systems and use the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system to fund and replenish gift cards.

The release of Version 2.0 of the PCI (Payment Card Industry) Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) on October 28 was by no means an unanticipated event–yet industry buzz indicates that it has stirred up considerable retailer concern about many related issues. If you’re among the crowd, you can stop and take a deep breath—there’s nothing to fear.

For example, using the point of sale system to send newsletters and other email communications to customers is a great way to remind them that you’re around and to provide them with helpful information that will lead them back to your store or restaurant time and time again.

With such a solution in place, you can set mass updating of prices to occur on a set schedule. You can also select a department, a list of items or items with specific properties and effortlessly set price changes to reflect increases, decreases, sales, special offers (like “buy two, get one free” or “buy a pound, get the second pound free”) and more—