The Top Hard & Soft Skills for POS Technicians

When hiring point of sale (POS) technicians, finding the right person can be a challenge. You need someone with a wealth of technical knowledge and experience in end user support who you can also trust with your business’ sensitive data.  

Whether this is your first time hiring a POS technician or you’re building out a team, this blog post will give you the info about the hard and soft skills POS technicians need to succeed in their role.

What Does POS Stand For?

Short for “Point of Sale,” POS refers to the hardware and software used to confirm a purchase or ring up a customer—the point at which a sale is made. This includes virtual and in-person sales, ranging from online payment portals to card readers in a storefront. POS systems are used by any business wherein a good or service is purchased, including but not limited to: 

• In-person or online retail 
• Restaurants and bars   
• Convenience stores
• Coffee shops
• Street vendors

POS systems are useful for more than transactions though—they enable the reporting, tracking, storing, and analysis of several data points. These include earnings, tips, employee time sheets, inventory management, and, sometimes, customer information such as contact or payment info. 

The features and types of reporting can vary between POS hardware and software. Hardware usually includes a register, credit or debit card reader, cash drawer, receipt printer, and bar code scanner. The hardware is also connected to an electronic device such as a phone or tablet.  

POS software allows for secure online payments, contactless payments, sometimes a credit or debit card reader, and can be used for online or in-person purchases when connected to a device. 

POS Technician Job Responsibilities and Importance 

POS technicians are responsible for the installation, repair, upgrades, and maintenance of POS hardware or software to ensure that all POS systems are running optimally. At larger enterprises, they work alongside IT help desks to offer technical support to POS system users.  

Here’s a list of what POS technicians are responsible for on a day-to-day basis: 

• Maintaining and supporting all POS-related IT equipment, including servers, desktops, cash registers, laptops, databases, and printers 
• Troubleshooting POS software  
• Analyzing user requirements as well as software performance 
• Installing updates  
• Supporting and solving system issues or failures 
• Working with IT teams to develop and modify systems to meet current and future needs 

For any retailer, the POS technician is a vital part of keeping the business running. They ensure daily operations aren’t inhibited by POS issues or failures and play a major role in keeping the business on track. And because a myriad of sensitive data, such as financial records, runs through POS hardware and software, technicians can also be essential in keeping business and client data secure.  

Skills for a Successful POS Technician 

Like every professional, POS technicians need a blend of hard and soft skills to succeed in their role. Hard skills directly reflect technical experience or knowledge, and they are typically easier to prove or demonstrate. 

Here’s a list of the top POS technician skills: 

• Hardware and software testing and diagnostics 
• Test analysis  
• Data interpretation 
• Software and upgrade installation 
• Troubleshooting software and technical equipment 
• Troubleshooting network connection errors and network equipment  
• System and network installation, repair, and maintenance 
• Ability to propose solutions or evaluate solutions 
• Working knowledge of relevant compliance checklists 

Soft skills refer to abilities or expertise that are harder to quantify but still extremely valuable. Here are some soft skills to look for in your next POS technician:  

• Written and verbal communication
• Organization 
• Time management 
• Multitasking  
• Customer service 
• Ability to work independently 
• Problem solving 
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing environments

POS Technicians Keep Your Business Running

POS technicians are instrumental in preventing technical issues that can interrupt day-to-day operations and negatively impact your teams. So when hiring a POS technician or a team of them, you need someone with the right hard and soft skills for the role. 

Luckily, Insight Global knows how to find POS technicians, build and manage teams of them, and help overhaul or migrate POS systems—all through one vendor. Reach out to Insight Global to let us know how we can help you find new talent and expand your tech capabilities.