Point of sale (POS) is where every barcode and RFID tag finally earns its money. This illustrated case study follows a typical retail store that installs POS software and POS hardware from Mindware / Indian RFID - first with barcodes, then upgraded to RFID on the same system.
Stage 1 and Stage 2 - in pictures
The store
A multi-counter retail store (fashion, footwear, gifts or electronics) with a back room and a few thousand items. It wanted faster billing, correct prices, fewer stock mismatches and live reports for the owner.
Stage 1: POS software and hardware with barcodes
- POS software - billing, GST invoices, item master with barcodes, purchase and stock, discounts and loyalty, daily reports for the owner.
- POS hardware - POS terminal or billing PC, thermal receipt printer, cash drawer, customer display, and a 2D barcode scanner that also reads UPI QR codes.
- Labels - barcode price labels and hang tags printed in-store on a desktop label printer; stock labels from Indian Barcode.
- Stock - goods received by scanning; periodic stock counts with a cordless scanner or mobile computer.
- Set-up - installation, item import, label design, staff training and AMC by Mindware.
Result: faster, error-free billing, consistent prices on shelf and in the system, and daily sales and stock reports.
Stage 2: the same POS, upgraded to RFID
- RFID labels and tags - printed and encoded by Indian RFID with the same item code and a unique serial; the barcode stays on the label as a backup.
- RFID at the counter - a counter reader pad reads every item in the basket at once; the POS software adds them to the bill.
- RFID handheld - counts the whole store and back room in minutes and finds missing items.
- Exit gate - alerts when an unbilled tagged item leaves the store.
- Same software, same hardware - the POS terminal, receipt printer and cash drawer stay; RFID is added to them.
Result: quicker checkout for full baskets, near-real-time stock accuracy, fewer losses, and replenishment based on what is really on the shelf.
Barcode POS vs RFID POS
| Stage 1 - Barcode POS | Stage 2 - RFID POS | |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | Scan items one by one | Read the whole basket at once |
| Labels | Barcode price labels and hang tags | RFID labels / hang tags with barcode printed |
| Stock count | Scan each item - hours | RFID handheld - minutes |
| Loss prevention | Staff checks | RFID exit gate alerts |
| Hardware | POS terminal, receipt printer, cash drawer, scanner, label printer | Same, plus RFID reader pad, RFID printer, handheld, gate |
| Cost | Lowest | Higher; pays back through stock accuracy and loss reduction |
See also: complete store & warehouse solutions · RFID vs barcode · RFID for jewellers