Customers ask in their own words, and a barcode is not always to hand. These are the ways the counter helps you reach the right product.
6 things it does
One box for scanning a barcode and for typing a name
In every edition
Do I need a separate box for scanning and for searching products? No. One entry field works out what was typed: an exact barcode, SKU or code adds the product at once, and anything else opens a search list.
Without it
Choosing the right box before each item slows the sale while the queue waits.
With it
Scan or type in the one box. An exact barcode, SKU or code adds the product straight away, and anything else opens a list to choose from.
There is one box to type or scan into. When what you typed or scanned is an exact barcode, SKU or product code, that product is added to the sale straight away. Anything else, such as a name or part of one, opens a list of matches. You pick the one you mean from the list.
Other ways people ask this
scan barcode or search product name in one box
pos entry box that scans and searches
find products by typing a name or scanning
Type a few words of a product's name, in whatever order you remember them
In every edition
Can I find a product by typing some of its words in any order? Type the words of a product's name in any order and the products that contain every one of those words appear. A product whose own name holds the words is listed before one found only through its brand, category or tags.
Without it
A customer asks for an item by its name, but you remember only part of it. The exact name does not come up, and the queue behind the customer grows.
With it
Type some of the words, in whatever order you remember them, and the products with all of them appear. A product whose own name holds the words is listed before one found only through its brand, category or tags.
The list starts once you have typed two characters, and it shows the products whose names contain all the words you typed. The words can come in any order, and each can be a whole word, the start of one, or part of one. Pressing Enter or scanning finds a code of any length.
Other ways people ask this
find a product by some of its words in any order
software that finds products by part of their name
search product by words at the till
Find the product even when you spell its name a little wrong
In every edition
Can I still find a product if I mistype its name? A word with a small typo still finds the product. A letter can be missing, extra, wrong or swapped, anywhere in the word, including its first letter.
Without it
A word is spelt slightly wrong at the counter, and the list stays empty. You have to guess the spelling while the customer watches you do it.
With it
A small slip still brings up the product. A letter that is missing, extra, wrong or swapped is forgiven, so you do not have to guess.
Type the name as you remember it. The slip can fall in any part of the word, even the first letter, and a word still being typed counts too. A word with a number in it is matched exactly, so a near-match number does not come up.
A small spelling slip still finds the notebook you meant.
Other ways people ask this
find a product when I type its name wrongly
till search that still works when a word is misspelt
spelling mistakes do not stop product search
Type the last few digits of a barcode and find the product
In every edition
Can I find a product from the last few digits of its barcode? Type the last few digits of a barcode, such as from a damaged or obscured label, and the matching product appears.
Without it
A label is rubbed or torn, and the scanner cannot read the whole code. Without the code, the product will not come up, and the customer waits while you look for it.
With it
Type the last four to six digits you can read, and the products whose codes end with them appear. You pick the one you mean and add it to the sale.
Type the last four to six digits of a barcode, and any product whose code ends in them is listed. This is for a damaged or hard-to-read label. Each row shows the product, its price, how much is in stock, and why it matched. Choose the one you mean. A full code still finds its product.
Other ways people ask this
find a product when its barcode is damaged
search by the last digits of a barcode
pos search that uses the end of a barcode
See the matching products beside the order as you type
In every edition
Where do product search results show on the sale screen? The order sits on the left and the matching products on the right, with a divider you can drag. The matches narrow as the query changes and close when the entry field is emptied.
Without it
A customer asks for something by name. When you search, the matches cover the order and the total, so you lose your place and the customer waits while you find where the list went.
With it
The order sits on the left and the matching products on the right. The matches narrow as you type, so you can pick the one you want without losing sight of the order.
The order is on the left and the search results are on the right, with a divider you can drag to change how wide each side is. Type into the entry field and the matches narrow as the words change. Empty the entry field and the matches close, leaving the order in full view. Your place in the order stays where it was while you search.
The matches sit beside the order, so the cashier never loses sight of the cart.
Other ways people ask this
search results beside the cart at the till
pos that shows matching products as I type
see the products I search for next to the bill
See how much stock you have left while you search
In every edition
Can I see how much stock is left while I search for a product? Each search result shows the product's name, price, available stock and unit. Out-of-stock and low-stock products are marked distinctly.
Without it
A customer asks for an item, and you cannot tell whether there is stock left until you go and look. You may have to apologise after they have already chosen it.
With it
Each search result shows the product's name, price, available stock and unit. Out-of-stock and low-stock products are marked so they stand apart from the rest.
Products that are out of stock and products that are low on stock are marked differently, so you can tell them apart at a glance. Cost and margin do not appear on a search result.
Each result shows its price and stock, so you see what can be sold before you add it.
Other ways people ask this
see stock left when searching products at the till