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This article will explain exactly how much asset tracking costs. Check out our table below for an overview of the asset tracking software costs for some of the US’ leading companies…

Prices are billed annually. The length of your free trial period depends on the company, and you’ll need to request a bespoke quote from Asset Panda and Verizon Connect.

Asset Tracking Costs: An Overview

Asset tracking will typically cost between $15 per month and $40 per month for a basic range of features, while a more sophisticated system might cost between $50 per month and $150 per month.

Within the more affordable price range, you’ll likely have access to basic features such as barcode lookup, customizable QR labels, reporting features, and audits.

The best asset tracking software will likely come with features such as advanced reporting, G-Suite and CRM (customer relationship management) software integration, and many more add-ons to help you boost productivity.

Some asset tracking companies offer bespoke pricing, meaning you’ll need to get in touch with them to get a clear idea of costs. This is where we can help you.

Simply use our free comparison tool to answer a few questions about your tracking requirements, and we’ll match you up with trusted asset tracking software companies that best suit your needs. They’ll then contact you with no-obligation quotes and clear, bespoke pricing information. Don’t forget, our service is totally free.

Low Cost Asset Tracking Systems

We’ve carried out extensive research into asset tracking costs, finding you the best value companies that can help your business save time and money. Read on below for individual pricing reviews on each asset tracking company.

UpKeep Pricing (Free – $120 Per Month)

• Paid plans start from $35 per month
• Free demo available
• Free plan available

UpKeep Pricing Roundup

UpKeep is one of the best value asset tracking systems on the market, offering a generous free plan that comes with work order management features, making it ideal for small businesses that manage just a few assets.

Its most popular plan is the Business Plus plan ($120 per month), suitable for medium-sized companies that need maintenance scheduling, API access, and integration with the instant messaging platform Slack. On this plan, you’ll also get a dedicated account manager.

Verizon Connect Pricing ($50 per Month – $250 per Month (estimated))

• Custom pricing
• Free demo available
• Estimated cost is $50 per month to $250 per month

Verizon Connect Pricing Roundup

Geared towards medium to large businesses, Verizon Connect is one of the most trusted names in the asset tracking industry, offering fantastic features at relatively low (albeit estimated) prices.

In terms of cost, you can expect to pay somewhere between $50 per month and $250 per month, depending on the type and number of assets your business needs to track. No matter what price Verizon quotes you, you’ll always have access to its intuitive web-based dashboard, which enables you to track engine hours, set up maintenance schedules, and much more.

Asset Panda Pricing ($125 per Month – $570+ per Month (estimated))

• Tracking up to 500 assets cost $125 per month
• Free demo available
• $500+ implementation service

Asset Panda Pricing Roundup

As you can see from the table above, Asset Panda offers a ‘pay for what you track’ pricing model, meaning you’ll simply pay more if you need to track more assets. Don’t fret, your cost savings increase as your number of assets grows, and there are discounts available for multi-year plans, and education and non-profit businesses.

Asset Panda doesn’t boast the cheapest asset tracking costs in the world, but it’s one of the most trusted and popular. It offers excellent, US-based customer support, unlimited user accounts, and integrations with G-Suite, Jamf, Azure Active Directory, and more. Overall, we firmly believe that Asset Panda is worth the relatively high initial costs.

Asset Tiger (Free – $1,400 per Year)

• Track up to 250 assets for free
• Unlimited users on all plans
• Cloud-based software

Asset Tiger Pricing Roundup

Asset Tiger is one of the best value options around, allowing you to track up to 250 assets at no cost. On all plans, you’ll get unlimited custom reports, barcode scanning, and maintenance scheduling, which we believe is a generous range of features.

Asset Tiger is certainly more affordable than Asset Panda, but it doesn’t offer quite as many features or integrations, so your choice will depend on what your business needs.

Freshservice Pricing ($19 per Month – $109 per Month)

• Starts at $19 per month
• 21-day free trial
• 24/7 customer support on all plans
• 100 free assets on the Garden Plan
• Free installation

Freshservice Pricing Roundup

Freshservice offers excellent value for money, with a generous range of features on its cheapest plans, and a 21-day free trial on all plans. Its most popular plan, Pro, is aimed at medium to large businesses, offering plenty of useful features such as advanced analytics and contract management software.

However, we’d recommend the Starter or Growth plan for most small businesses, with these plans offering an impressive selection of features at reasonable prices.

Sortly Pricing (Free – $99 per month)

• Free plan
• Paid price plans start from $39 per month
• 14-day free trial

Sortly Pricing Roundup

Rivalling Asset Tiger with its low asset tracking costs, Sortly is ideal for small businesses looking to save some cash, without sacrificing quality.

On the downside, there are only three plans to choose from (most other suppliers have four), and you can only track up to 100 assets on its free plan (Asset Tiger allows up to 250). Overall, Sortly is a good choice for small businesses on a budget.

How Asset Tracking Can Save Business Costs

According to Capterra’s blog, most businesses without asset tracking systems spend 80% of their time reacting to maintenance issues rather than preventing them. When it comes to running a business, we all know that time equals money.

Asset tracking software is designed to streamline your business and cut labor costs, ensuring you spend less time searching for, maintaining, and auditing your assets, and more time growing your business in other ways.

Next Steps

We’ve explained the average asset tracking costs, so you should now have a clear idea of how much you can expect to pay. Remember, the initial investment should pay dividends by streamlining your operations and, ultimately, boosting profits.

The easiest way to nail down the asset tracking software cost for your business is by using our free comparison tool. It only takes a minute, and we’ll use it to match you up with trusted asset tracking companies that best suit your needs.

They’ll then contact you with no-obligation quotes featuring crystal-clear, bespoke pricing.

Learn about the best healthcare asset management software with our detailed guide…

With hospital asset tracking software, you can manage the distribution of medical equipment with ease, saving you time and money.

According to a study carried out by NursingTimes.net, nurses waste 6,000 hours a month looking for medical equipment.

Whether it’s wheelchairs and defibrillators, or boxes of gauze and medical tape, introducing hospital asset tracking software will help you save time looking for hospital equipment. This means you can treat patients faster, and provide a better level of care.

The Best Hospital Asset Tracking Software

The majority of healthcare asset tracking software is compatible with both RFID (radio frequency identification) and barcode tracking. This is because the best hospital asset tracking software will combine both barcode and RFID scanning.

From our research, we know the best hospital asset tracking software comes from Zebra, Asset Panda, Centrak, ASAP Systems and Guard RFID.

Find out how they fare against each other in the table below.

Zebra

Best all-round supplier

CenTrak

Best for integration

Asset Panda

Best for affordability

ASAP Systems

Best barcode solution

Guard RFID

Best RFID solution

Next Steps

Hospital asset tracking software is typically designed to suit different hospitals’ needs, so it’s hard to know how much a system will cost without talking to a supplier. Luckily, we’ve made it super-easy for you to get in touch with an expert.

All you need to do is fill in our form with a few details about your hospital or medical center, and the best supplier for your needs will be in touch.

How Does Hospital Asset Tracking Work?

There are two main types of healthcare resource tracking systems:

• Barcode scanning
• RFID scanning

Both types of hospital asset tracking software involve a reader, labels and software. Barcode scanning is suitable for ticket items, such as strips and gauze. RFID scanning is better for larger items, such as boxes of supplies, monitors or surgical equipment. You can find out more about barcode and RFID tracking below.

Barcode Scanning

You know that universally recognized beeping sound you hear when your items pass through the checkout? That’s barcode scanning. And barcode scanning for asset tracking works in exactly the same way.

• You print a label onto your equipment
• You scan the item out when you want to use it
• You scan the item back in once returned

RFID Hospital Asset Tracking

RFID tracking is a little more complicated. An RFID hospital asset tracking system combines the power of RFID (radio frequency identification) with something called the Internet of Things (IoT). But how does it work? Let’s look at its three main elements.

RFID Reader

An RFID scanner or reader is usually attached to the hospital wall. This may be in a stock cupboard, an equipment cupboard, or somewhere nearby. An RFID reader will either pick up radio signals from active RFID tags, or activate passive RFID tags so they emit a radio signal back to the reader.

RFID Tags

To avoid clashing of radio signals from MRI, ultrasound and other radio wave-emitting hospital equipment, it’s usually recommended that hospitals use passive RFID tags (though we recommend you seek the advice of an expert). These come in many forms, with the most common being stickers and labels that you can easily attach to boxes and devices.

RFID Software

RFID hospital asset tracking software is where the IoT comes into play. The RFID reader constantly talks to the software, usually via the internet. When a nurse or doctor removes a box of medical gloves from the cupboard, for example, the RFID reader no longer picks up the signal from the RFID label attached to that particular box. When you next check the system, it’ll register that the gloves have been moved to a different cupboard or location.

Of course, this is hospital asset tracking software on a basic level. If you would like to know more about how hospital asset tracking softwares work, and receive tailored quotes for hospital asset tracking software and hardware, simply fill in our form with a few details about your business and the best suppliers for your requirements will be in touch.

Learn how investing in asset tracking software for construction will save your company time and money…

Investing in asset tracking for construction could help you save money on your heavy-duty machinery, making it a worthwhile investment. But which one is right for your business?

We’ve carried out the research for you, searching far and wide for the best asset tracking software for construction in the US and whittling them down to just six options. Check out our table below for a sneak preview of what’s to come.

If you’re already interested in asset tracking providers, however, you can fill out our quote comparison tool, which will offer you various quotes from asset tracking businesses, entirely for free.

What is GPS Asset Tracking for Construction?

GPS asset tracking will pinpoint exactly where your machinery is. That way, you can be 100% certain that your machinery is in the right place at the right time. And with your GPS tracker keeping tabs on its location, you’ll know if anyone attempts to steal it.

It works when a gadget fitted inside the cab of your vehicle hooks up to an app on your tablet or phone via a cellular network. You can easily locate the vehicle on the app, and it’ll even send you alerts if there’s any unauthorized use.

You can invest in GPS tracking as part of a greater asset management system. So in addition to knowing the whereabouts of your heavy-duty machinery, you can also clue yourself up on the location of handheld tools and your mid-sized machinery, too.

And what does this all mean for you? A whole lot of time gained back and a whole lot of money saved. Investing in construction equipment tracking is a no-brainer.

What is the Best GPS Asset Tracking Software for Construction?

From our extensive research, we know that the best asset tracking for construction are made by:

1. Tenna
2. Verizon Connect
3. CloudHawk
4. Asset Panda

This is because the solutions offered by these companies have an edge over other heavy equipment tracking devices on the market. Here’s what makes each one stand out:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can GPS Tracking Reduce Theft?

Installing a hidden GPS tracker in all of your vehicular equipment will help deter thieves from stealing it – much like the soft CCTV warning. And even if they do attempt to steal your equipment, the GPS technology will ensure they don’t get much of a head start – if any.

Does GPS Tracking Increase Efficiency?

Imagine a working day where you’re not calling up your team in a panic asking where your most valuable assets are. When operations happen manually, it only takes one human error for equipment to seemingly go missing. Take the healthcare industry for example – hospital asset tracking software can help doctors find important tools quickly and easily, reducing the time searching around the building while patients are waiting. That’s why investing in GPS tracking, plus the automated software, will ensure any action involving your equipment is recorded.

How Does Asset Tracking for Construction Optimize Asset Utilization?

Asset tracking software for construction keeps all the information relating to your tools and machinery in one place. In addition to finding out where your equipment is located, you can also keep tabs on usage. This will enable you to look at patterns and use the data to determine whether a piece of equipment may be better utilized elsewhere in your company, or whether you actually need it at all.

Can GPS Tracking Enhance Safety?

Yes! If you invest in asset tracking software for construction, you’ll be able to record data such as service dates, when you need to replace parts, and any tool defects. Some GPS trackers can monitor engine hours, mileage and vibration levels, which will give you greater indication of whether it’s time for your machinery to have a checkup.

Read More

If you like the sound of GPS tracking, you may want to look at a wider solution. Fleet tracking enables you to manage all of your vehicles – including trucks and vans. Team that up with fuel cards – which save you money at the gas pump – and you’ll soon be on your way to more efficient working operations and better spending of company money.

Is radio frequency identification (RFID) the right tracking system for your business?

Never lose track of your assets with an RFID tracking system

RFID tracking is a way to help you keep track of tools. You can either invest in it as a separate system, or part of a larger asset tracking system .

If you took a moment to think about the amount of time your team spend looking for lost or misplaced tools, you’d probably be a little concerned. Let’s put this in some context.

Say your business consists of a team of ten workers, and each member of the team spends half an hour a day looking for a misplaced tool – that’s five hours of work a day, wasted.

RFID tool tracking puts a stop to time-wasting. Instead of signing tools in and out in a diary or spreadsheet, RFID tracking uses radio frequency to detect which tools are in the room, and which ones aren’t.

This data is then automatically synchronized with a software database on your computer or smart device, so when it comes to finding tools that you’ve misplaced, it’s simply a case of looking up their location on the system.

How Does RFID Tool Tracking Work?

RFID tracking is a pretty simple concept. It’s a system that’s made up of three things:

RFID Tags

The best asset tracking software comes with RFID tags, which in themselves come in all shapes, sizes and materials. This makes RFID tool tracking suitable for lots of different types of tool. The type you need will depend on the tool you’re looking to track. These are some examples of the different types of RFID tags:

• Standard tags, suitable for most tools
• RFID tags for metal tools
• Extreme tags for harsh environments
• Flexible tags for uneven tool surfaces
• Pallet RFID tags for attaching to wooden surfaces

In addition to the shape, size and material of the tag, you also need to consider how the tag works. For example, some RFID tags emit a radio frequency thanks to their own power source, while others rely on the frequency waves emitted by the RFID reader for energy. Here are the three different types:

Active RFID tags Active RFID tags use a battery to power the sensor and the electric circuit, and to produce a radio frequency. These are often the most expensive to purchase, and are therefore the least common choice.

Passive RFID tags Passive tags need to be in the vicinity of the RFID reader to work, as they do not have their own power source. They use energy from the waves emitted by the RFID to produce their own signal. These tags are the cheapest option.

Semi-passive RFID tags Semi-passive RFID tags also use energy from the waves emitted by the RFID scanner as their power source for producing a signal. While they do have their own battery, this is used to power the tag’s sensor and circuit.

RFID Readers

RFID scanners work by detecting the radio frequency that each tag emits. Unlike barcode scanners, RFID scanners are capable of reading multiple tags at the same time, which means they can pick up the signals of all the tags (or tools) in the room.

RFID Software

RFID software hosts a database that stores each of your tools and the tag attached to it. When the reader registers the tag on the tool, the information is sent wirelessly to the database on the software, where it’s registered present or not present.

What RFID Tool Tracking System do I Need?

You’ll probably require a combination of different tags, depending on the size and material of the tools that you’re looking to track.

This is where speaking to a tool tracking supplier will come in handy. We’ve partnered with a number of tool tracking suppliers to provide businesses with quotes and advice on asset tracking systems.

Simply fill in our form with a few details about your business and the best suppliers for your requirements will be in touch.

RFID Tool Tracking VS Barcode Scanning

The most common alternative to RFID tool tracking is barcode scanning. They’re very similar bits of kit, but which one is better?

Investing in a barcode scanning system would probably work out cheaper than investing in an RFID tool tracking system. But, as is often the case with the cheaper option, it’s never the best.

Take a look at the table below to see how RFID tool tracking compares with barcode scanning.

What are the Other Asset Tracking Options?

An asset tracking system is essential for any business that owns and uses lots of equipment. It doesn’t have to be tools; it can be electrical items, cleaning products and vehicles.

There are plenty of different asset tracking solutions out there, with RFID tracking being one of them. In addition to RFID tracking, there’s:

Generally, barcode scanning and bluetooth scanning are best for smaller scale asset tracking operations. That could be in terms of the size of the business, or in terms of the tools that you want to track.

GPS tracking is used to track larger machinery; think JCBs, generators, cranes and tractors. Often, businesses that invest in GPS tracking also invest in geo-fencing – a type of technology that creates a virtual perimeter around your assets, and sounds an alarm if your asset travels outside the perimeter without your consent.

What we’re saying is that RFID tracking on it’s own often isn’t enough. Asset tracking isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It usually combines two or more asset tracking tools, which are headed up by a fully integrated software platform.

Want to Invest in an Asset Tracking System?

When there are so many elements to an asset tracking system, it’s best to receive advice from an expert. They’ll also be able to provide you with a bespoke quotation for an asset tracking system based on your business’s individual needs.

The quickest way to go about receiving quotes and advice is to fill in our short form. Enter a few details about your business, then the best suppliers for your requirements will be in touch. Easy!

Is radio frequency identification (RFID) the right tracking system for your business?

Never lose track of your assets with an RFID tracking system

RFID tracking is a way to help you keep track of tools. You can either invest in it as a separate system, or part of a larger asset tracking system .

If you took a moment to think about the amount of time your team spend looking for lost or misplaced tools, you’d probably be a little concerned. Let’s put this in some context.

Say your business consists of a team of ten workers, and each member of the team spends half an hour a day looking for a misplaced tool – that’s five hours of work a day, wasted.

RFID tool tracking puts a stop to time-wasting. Instead of signing tools in and out in a diary or spreadsheet, RFID tracking uses radio frequency to detect which tools are in the room, and which ones aren’t.

This data is then automatically synchronized with a software database on your computer or smart device, so when it comes to finding tools that you’ve misplaced, it’s simply a case of looking up their location on the system.

How Does RFID Tool Tracking Work?

RFID tracking is a pretty simple concept. It’s a system that’s made up of three things:

RFID Tags

The best asset tracking software comes with RFID tags, which in themselves come in all shapes, sizes and materials. This makes RFID tool tracking suitable for lots of different types of tool. The type you need will depend on the tool you’re looking to track. These are some examples of the different types of RFID tags:

• Standard tags, suitable for most tools
• RFID tags for metal tools
• Extreme tags for harsh environments
• Flexible tags for uneven tool surfaces
• Pallet RFID tags for attaching to wooden surfaces

In addition to the shape, size and material of the tag, you also need to consider how the tag works. For example, some RFID tags emit a radio frequency thanks to their own power source, while others rely on the frequency waves emitted by the RFID reader for energy. Here are the three different types:

Active RFID tags Active RFID tags use a battery to power the sensor and the electric circuit, and to produce a radio frequency. These are often the most expensive to purchase, and are therefore the least common choice.

Passive RFID tags Passive tags need to be in the vicinity of the RFID reader to work, as they do not have their own power source. They use energy from the waves emitted by the RFID to produce their own signal. These tags are the cheapest option.

Semi-passive RFID tags Semi-passive RFID tags also use energy from the waves emitted by the RFID scanner as their power source for producing a signal. While they do have their own battery, this is used to power the tag’s sensor and circuit.

RFID Readers

RFID scanners work by detecting the radio frequency that each tag emits. Unlike barcode scanners, RFID scanners are capable of reading multiple tags at the same time, which means they can pick up the signals of all the tags (or tools) in the room.

RFID Software

RFID software hosts a database that stores each of your tools and the tag attached to it. When the reader registers the tag on the tool, the information is sent wirelessly to the database on the software, where it’s registered present or not present.

What RFID Tool Tracking System do I Need?

You’ll probably require a combination of different tags, depending on the size and material of the tools that you’re looking to track.

This is where speaking to a tool tracking supplier will come in handy. We’ve partnered with a number of tool tracking suppliers to provide businesses with quotes and advice on asset tracking systems.

Simply fill in our form with a few details about your business and the best suppliers for your requirements will be in touch.

RFID Tool Tracking VS Barcode Scanning

The most common alternative to RFID tool tracking is barcode scanning. They’re very similar bits of kit, but which one is better?

Investing in a barcode scanning system would probably work out cheaper than investing in an RFID tool tracking system. But, as is often the case with the cheaper option, it’s never the best.

Take a look at the table below to see how RFID tool tracking compares with barcode scanning.

What are the Other Asset Tracking Options?

An asset tracking system is essential for any business that owns and uses lots of equipment. It doesn’t have to be tools; it can be electrical items, cleaning products and vehicles.

There are plenty of different asset tracking solutions out there, with RFID tracking being one of them. In addition to RFID tracking, there’s:

Generally, barcode scanning and bluetooth scanning are best for smaller scale asset tracking operations. That could be in terms of the size of the business, or in terms of the tools that you want to track.

GPS tracking is used to track larger machinery; think JCBs, generators, cranes and tractors. Often, businesses that invest in GPS tracking also invest in geo-fencing – a type of technology that creates a virtual perimeter around your assets, and sounds an alarm if your asset travels outside the perimeter without your consent.

What we’re saying is that RFID tracking on it’s own often isn’t enough. Asset tracking isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It usually combines two or more asset tracking tools, which are headed up by a fully integrated software platform.

Want to Invest in an Asset Tracking System?

When there are so many elements to an asset tracking system, it’s best to receive advice from an expert. They’ll also be able to provide you with a bespoke quotation for an asset tracking system based on your business’s individual needs.

The quickest way to go about receiving quotes and advice is to fill in our short form. Enter a few details about your business, then the best suppliers for your requirements will be in touch. Easy!

Is Tenna’s asset tracking worth investing in? Read our review to find out…

Tenna’s all inclusive asset management system will help you dramatically cut down on unnecessary costs by enabling you to keep track of tools.

Consider this: just one hour of idle time a day can cost your business $1,000 per year, and that’s per asset.

Now, think about how many times you’ve rented equipment without needing to, had to replace stolen tools, or received a hefty repair bill because you haven’t kept up to date with vehicle maintenance – how’s it all adding up?

Tenna’s asset tracking system will enable you to store all the information relating to your tools in one place. We’re talking their location, status, and even their part replacement and service dates.

With all of this information at your fingertips, there’s no second guessing, no questions, and no risk of missing important maintenance dates.

And that’s not all – you can even use the system to create work orders and simplify asset allocation. This makes Tenna a complete solution that could greatly improve your business’ day to day operations.

So should you invest in Tenna’s asset tracking software? Find out everything you need to know in our Tenna review below.

What is Tenna Asset Tracking?

Tenna’s complete asset tracking solution is the ideal investment for small, medium, and large businesses. It’ll not only help you cut asset-associated costs, but also enable you to operate your projects more efficiently.

So how does it work? Let’s start with this: Tenna’s asset tracking is an IoT (Internet of Things) solution.

Representation of IoT networkAn IoT solution is a combination of devices that use an internet connection (the cloud) to collect and exchange information. This information is presented on an interface (an app), which you then use to manage your business operations.

These devices can present themselves as asset tracking tools, such as barcode scanners and Bluetooth transmitters, or as a software hosting device, such as a smartphone or iPad.

Being a cloud-based system makes Tenna asset tracking super-easy to implement. All you need to do is choose your desired hardware package, download the app, and train your team to use it.

Tenna asset tracking comes with an unlimited number of users. That means every member of your team can download the app onto their phone and use the technology for tool-related comms.

Features and Benefits

So what are the main products and how will they benefit your business?

Keeping Track of Tools and Miscellaneous Products

Tenna BLE BeaconThe Tools and Miscellaneous asset tracking tools combine the powers of BLE Beacons and QR barcode scanning.

How do BLE Beacons work?

BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) Beacons transmit a Bluetooth signal, which is received by a Bluetooth enabled device. This then provides you with the device’s location.

TennaQR

How does QR scanning work?

QR scanning is a system that consists of a barcode and a scanner. Each device is fitted with a barcode, which employees then scan with their smartphones each time they sign a tool in and out. That way, you always know who is using the tool at any given time.

Keeping Track of High Value Machinery

TennaGo Asset TrackingTenna has developed products that keep track of high value machinery. These asset tracking tools take the form of plug-in trackers, which hook up to your machinery’s diagnostics.

What’s the difference between Tenna’s plug-in tracker and Tenna’s battery tracker?

Not much. Both provide GPS reports on your heavy machinery. And they’re both rugged and compact – ideal for attaching to the outside of your equipment.

The only difference between the two is the frequency in which they deliver GPS reports. The TennaGo Battery Cellular Tracker only provides a GPS report every 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the plug-in cellular tracker can provide GPS reports every two minutes while the engine is running, and once every 24 hours when the engine is off.

Keeping Track of your Fleets

Tenna Fleet TrackersA fleet of vehicles can either refer to a fleet of regular on-road vehicles or a fleet of heavy machinery, such as diggers or bulldozers. Both types of fleet have on-board diagnostics, but the way you hook up a tracker to them is slightly different. Luckily, Tenna has developed fleet trackers that are compatible with both OBD and JBUS connection points.

What vehicles are Tenna’s fleet trackers compatible with?

• On road vehicles
• Service trucks
• Engine operated equipment

You just need to make sure you have the right connection point.

OBD stands for On-board Diagnostics – this connection point is for any road-legal vehicle.

JBUS refers to heavy machinery diagnostics.These may require one or two connectors.

Pricing

The beauty of Tenna is that each package is bespoke. Their specialist team will help you come up with an asset tracking system which matches the unique requirements of your company. This means the price you pay will depend on the package you pick.

In addition to your hardware and installation cost, the price you pay will include the following:

• Number of Users
• User Permission Assignment
• Unlimited Devices and Apps
• Unlimited Projects/Site locations
• Remote Support
• Tenna University and continued learning

If you’re unsure about Tenna’s asset tracking system, you can book a demo. And don’t forget, you can always use their ROI Calculator to confirm that asset tracking is worth investing in.

Tenna For Small Businesses

Do you ever wonder why parcels aren’t delivered on time? Why staff turn up to jobs late, or the power drill and chainsaw have suddenly disappeared from the tool rack?

Tenna’s tools, equipment and fleet tracking solutions ensure peace of mind when it comes to the whereabouts and condition of your assets.

As previously mentioned, the great thing about Tenna’s asset tracking system is you can design it around your business’ needs. This means you can make your system as small or as large as you require.

If you’re not sure how Tenna’s asset tracking will fit into your business model, you can book a demonstration. That way, you can find out what your business requires and get a better idea of how much it’ll cost you.

Is Tenna’s asset tracking worth investing in? Read our review to find out…

Tenna’s all inclusive asset management system will help you dramatically cut down on unnecessary costs by enabling you to keep track of tools.

Consider this: just one hour of idle time a day can cost your business $1,000 per year, and that’s per asset.

Now, think about how many times you’ve rented equipment without needing to, had to replace stolen tools, or received a hefty repair bill because you haven’t kept up to date with vehicle maintenance – how’s it all adding up?

Tenna’s asset tracking system will enable you to store all the information relating to your tools in one place. We’re talking their location, status, and even their part replacement and service dates.

With all of this information at your fingertips, there’s no second guessing, no questions, and no risk of missing important maintenance dates.

And that’s not all – you can even use the system to create work orders and simplify asset allocation. This makes Tenna a complete solution that could greatly improve your business’ day to day operations.

So should you invest in Tenna’s asset tracking software? Find out everything you need to know in our Tenna review below.

What is Tenna Asset Tracking?

Tenna’s complete asset tracking solution is the ideal investment for small, medium, and large businesses. It’ll not only help you cut asset-associated costs, but also enable you to operate your projects more efficiently.

So how does it work? Let’s start with this: Tenna’s asset tracking is an IoT (Internet of Things) solution.

Representation of IoT networkAn IoT solution is a combination of devices that use an internet connection (the cloud) to collect and exchange information. This information is presented on an interface (an app), which you then use to manage your business operations.

These devices can present themselves as asset tracking tools, such as barcode scanners and Bluetooth transmitters, or as a software hosting device, such as a smartphone or iPad.

Being a cloud-based system makes Tenna asset tracking super-easy to implement. All you need to do is choose your desired hardware package, download the app, and train your team to use it.

Tenna asset tracking comes with an unlimited number of users. That means every member of your team can download the app onto their phone and use the technology for tool-related comms.

Features and Benefits

So what are the main products and how will they benefit your business?

Keeping Track of Tools and Miscellaneous Products

Tenna BLE BeaconThe Tools and Miscellaneous asset tracking tools combine the powers of BLE Beacons and QR barcode scanning.

How do BLE Beacons work?

BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) Beacons transmit a Bluetooth signal, which is received by a Bluetooth enabled device. This then provides you with the device’s location.

TennaQR

How does QR scanning work?

QR scanning is a system that consists of a barcode and a scanner. Each device is fitted with a barcode, which employees then scan with their smartphones each time they sign a tool in and out. That way, you always know who is using the tool at any given time.

Keeping Track of High Value Machinery

TennaGo Asset TrackingTenna has developed products that keep track of high value machinery. These asset tracking tools take the form of plug-in trackers, which hook up to your machinery’s diagnostics.

What’s the difference between Tenna’s plug-in tracker and Tenna’s battery tracker?

Not much. Both provide GPS reports on your heavy machinery. And they’re both rugged and compact – ideal for attaching to the outside of your equipment.

The only difference between the two is the frequency in which they deliver GPS reports. The TennaGo Battery Cellular Tracker only provides a GPS report every 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the plug-in cellular tracker can provide GPS reports every two minutes while the engine is running, and once every 24 hours when the engine is off.

Keeping Track of your Fleets

Tenna Fleet TrackersA fleet of vehicles can either refer to a fleet of regular on-road vehicles or a fleet of heavy machinery, such as diggers or bulldozers. Both types of fleet have on-board diagnostics, but the way you hook up a tracker to them is slightly different. Luckily, Tenna has developed fleet trackers that are compatible with both OBD and JBUS connection points.

What vehicles are Tenna’s fleet trackers compatible with?

• On road vehicles
• Service trucks
• Engine operated equipment

You just need to make sure you have the right connection point.

OBD stands for On-board Diagnostics – this connection point is for any road-legal vehicle.

JBUS refers to heavy machinery diagnostics.These may require one or two connectors.

Pricing

The beauty of Tenna is that each package is bespoke. Their specialist team will help you come up with an asset tracking system which matches the unique requirements of your company. This means the price you pay will depend on the package you pick.

In addition to your hardware and installation cost, the price you pay will include the following:

• Number of Users
• User Permission Assignment
• Unlimited Devices and Apps
• Unlimited Projects/Site locations
• Remote Support
• Tenna University and continued learning

If you’re unsure about Tenna’s asset tracking system, you can book a demo. And don’t forget, you can always use their ROI Calculator to confirm that asset tracking is worth investing in.

Tenna For Small Businesses

Do you ever wonder why parcels aren’t delivered on time? Why staff turn up to jobs late, or the power drill and chainsaw have suddenly disappeared from the tool rack?

Tenna’s tools, equipment and fleet tracking solutions ensure peace of mind when it comes to the whereabouts and condition of your assets.

As previously mentioned, the great thing about Tenna’s asset tracking system is you can design it around your business’ needs. This means you can make your system as small or as large as you require.

If you’re not sure how Tenna’s asset tracking will fit into your business model, you can book a demonstration. That way, you can find out what your business requires and get a better idea of how much it’ll cost you.

Expert Verdict

Combining modern, robust tracking devices with highly intuitive software, Tenna’s asset tracking system is certainly a package worth investing in.

You can use Tenna’s website to look into the kind of asset tracking devices that you should be investing in for your tools, equipment and machinery. Alternatively, you can get in touch with their highly rated customer service team.

Because of its quality, a Tenna system doesn’t come cheap. You’ll also find that the more complex the system, the longer it’ll take to train your staff. However, this is a given for any asset tracking system.

The easiest way to get an accurate price for your asset tracking software is by using our free comparison tool and getting quotes from top suppliers. It’s quick, easy, and free.

Discover what’s beyond the Verizon with our asset tracking review…

Verizon’s asset tracking system will enable you to keep an eye on all of your valuable machinery and equipment – check up on the whereabouts of your assets, log their condition, and evaluate their usage to determine whether you’re getting a good return on your investment.

How does Verizon do it? Well, it all starts with software. Verizon states that its software is ‘powerfully simple’, which is essential when you’re looking to integrate a new system into a large team.

What are Verizon’s Features and Benefits?

Verizon is one of the best asset tracking software companies out there, so you’ll find all of its asset tracking hardware is:

• Weather resistant
• Equipped with long battery life
• Built for flexible configuration

 So let’s see how some of these main features will benefit your company.

✓ Intel Asset Location and History

How much time have you wasted calling around trying to track down an asset? Thanks to Verizon’s GPS technology, you’ll automatically be alerted to nearby assets on your device, which is why we rate Verizon as one of the best GPS tracking software for construction.

What about how much money you’ve wasted hiring equipment unnecessarily? Use the Verizon app to follow the user journey of your assets and plan your projects accordingly.

On the downside, Verizon does not provide any incident reporting features. Unlike Samsara, Verizon’s software will not alert your asset management system of any road traffic incidents such as speeding, crashing, or harsh braking which could leave you feeling in the dark as a manager.

✓ Protect Your Assets Against Unauthorized Use

Do you ever worry about leaving your assets onsite at night? Thanks to Verizon’s geofencing technology, you can set a virtual perimeter around your site. 

✓ Monitor Asset Condition

Verizon software enables you to log important maintenance and service dates for each piece of equipment.

Think Verizon could be an asset to your company? Then let’s get the ball rolling. If you’d like some quick, no-obligation quotes from trusted asset tracking suppliers, all you have to do is share some details about your business and we’ll then match you up with the suppliers that best suit your requirements.

How Much Does Verizon Cost?

Verizon’s asset tracking works as a software as a service (SaaS) system. All that means is you pay Verizon each month to display and store your data using its software and server.

Asset tracking systems are unique to each business’s needs, so it’s impossible to say how much a Verizon package will cost you per month. The best way to find out is to request a free demo from one of their sales reps.

A sales rep will help you work out which hardware you require for your specific business needs. After that, they’ll be able to put a price on how much their hardware will cost you. They’ll then work out a price for the software side of things based on how many employees will use the software, and how many software features you require.

Is Verizon Right for my Business?

“I am a small business owner”

Verizon has designed its asset tracking system with larger machinery in mind. For small companies that hire their bigger bits of machinery, this limitation may make this particular asset tracking package unsuitable.

However, Verizon can make a valuable addition to your small business if you do own your own larger machinery. For example, Verizon’s hardware and software package will enable you to keep track of the location and maintenance schedule of your tools, helping you to spend less money in the long run.

“I want to know exactly when my tools are in use”

With Verizon’s GPS asset tracking technology, you know exactly where your equipment is at any time. And because you can log the status of equipment on the software app, you’ll know for sure whether the tool is in use, or not – meaning you’ll never charge more than necessary.

Discover what’s beyond the Verizon with our asset tracking review…

Verizon’s asset tracking system will enable you to keep an eye on all of your valuable machinery and equipment – check up on the whereabouts of your assets, log their condition, and evaluate their usage to determine whether you’re getting a good return on your investment.

How does Verizon do it? Well, it all starts with software. Verizon states that its software is ‘powerfully simple’, which is essential when you’re looking to integrate a new system into a large team.

Verizon uses its expansive network coverage to ensure all of your large assets remain linked up to the software. And if you happen to be outside of 3G or 4G zones, the asset tracking hardware will remain linked up via GPRS or satellite. Let’s find out what else Verizon can do…

What are Verizon’s Features and Benefits?

Verizon is one of the best asset tracking software companies out there, so you’ll find all of its asset tracking hardware is:

• Factory fitted or AEMP compatible
• Weather resistant
• Equipped with long battery life
• Built for flexible configuration
• 3G, 4G or satellite enabled

 So let’s see how some of these main features will benefit your company.

✓ Intel Asset Location and History

How much time have you wasted calling around trying to track down an asset? Thanks to Verizon’s GPS technology, you’ll automatically be alerted to nearby assets on your device, which is why we rate Verizon as one of the best GPS tracking software for construction.

What about how much money you’ve wasted hiring equipment unnecessarily? Use the Verizon app to follow the user journey of your assets and plan your projects accordingly.

On the downside, Verizon does not provide any incident reporting features. Unlike Samsara, Verizon’s software will not alert your asset management system of any road traffic incidents such as speeding, crashing, or harsh braking which could leave you feeling in the dark as a manager.

✓ Protect Your Assets Against Unauthorized Use

Do you ever worry about leaving your assets onsite at night? Thanks to Verizon’s geofencing technology, you can set a virtual perimeter around your site. If any of your equipment passes the boundary, you’ll be sent an alert, allowing you to notify the emergency services immediately.

✓ Monitor Asset Condition

Verizon software enables you to log important maintenance and service dates for each piece of equipment. In addition to that, special sensors within the hardware can pick up on temperature change, excessive vibration and door movement, giving you greater insight into machinery use.

Think Verizon could be an asset to your company? Then let’s get the ball rolling. If you’d like some quick, no-obligation quotes from trusted asset tracking suppliers, all you have to do is share some details about your business and we’ll then match you up with the suppliers that best suit your requirements.

How Much Does Verizon Cost?

Verizon’s asset tracking works as a software as a service (SaaS) system. All that means is you pay Verizon each month to display and store your data using its software and server.

Asset tracking systems are unique to each business’s needs, so it’s impossible to say how much a Verizon package will cost you per month. The best way to find out is to request a free demo from one of their sales reps.

A sales rep will help you work out which hardware you require for your specific business needs. After that, they’ll be able to put a price on how much their hardware will cost you. They’ll then work out a price for the software side of things based on how many employees will use the software, and how many software features you require.

Is Verizon Right for my Business?

“I am a small business owner”

Verizon has designed its asset tracking system with larger machinery in mind. For small companies that hire their bigger bits of machinery, this limitation may make this particular asset tracking package unsuitable.

However, Verizon can make a valuable addition to your small business if you do own your own larger machinery. For example, Verizon’s hardware and software package will enable you to keep track of the location and maintenance schedule of your tools, helping you to spend less money in the long run.

“I want to know exactly when my tools are in use”

With Verizon’s GPS asset tracking technology, you know exactly where your equipment is at any time. And because you can log the status of equipment on the software app, you’ll know for sure whether the tool is in use, or not – meaning you’ll never charge more than necessary.

Expert Verdict

Verizon offers a great asset tracking system for larger machines and equipment. However, you should always keep your options open before making a decision, especially if you’re looking to track smaller assets. The easiest way to find the best deal is by comparing quotes from trusted asset tracking companies, which is where we can help. 

To get started, all you have to do is share some quick details about your business on our free comparison tool and we’ll find the supplier that best suits your exact requirements. Those suppliers will then provide you with non-obligation quotes for you to compare – it’s really quick and easy.

Verizon’s easy-to-use interface makes it less time-consuming to train your staff on how to use the system, while Verizon’s dedication to developing their hardware means you know you’re investing in one of the most advanced solutions available.

As a multi-service company with a healthy portfolio of household name customers, Verizon has been around the block and would be a great asset to any sized business.

However, if you don’t think Verizon is right for you, then read our Tenna Review to find out more about an alternative supplier.

Overall, the best accountant for businesses in the UK is Makesworth Accountants, an award-winning firm based in London. It offers expert advice and guidance, and boasts glowing customer reviews.

With the turn of the tax year approaching in April, now is an opportune moment to consider switching or signing up with an accountancy solution before FY25 begins. To help you find the right accountant for you, we’ve scoured the accounting industry, taking a look at each firm’s pricing, customer ratings, and the services they offer to identify the best accounting firms for your business.

If you want to get started with finding the right firm for your accounting needs, you can also use our free quote finding tool. Just give us a few brief details about your business, and we’ll match you up with trusted firms. They’ll then be in touch with tailored, no-obligation quotes for you to compare.

Makesworth Accountants – Best overall

What makes Makesworth Accountants a top accounting service?

A Harrow-based, award-winning firm with over 10 years of experience, Makesworth Accountants offers every service from payroll to business advice and tax planning. The firm’s use of cloud-based accounting software increases its speed, efficiency, and accuracy.

Makesworth has earned 5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot – a highly coveted position, with many customers reporting that the service is extremely friendly, as well as efficient. Many found that their questions were answered quickly, and every reviewer was happy with the firm’s services.

The firm uses cloud-based solutions, which increases efficiency and reliability. Plus, Makesworth goes beyond just offering accounting services – also giving customers helpful advice and guidance. This firm might be the right one for your business if you want or need advice and guidance, and not just services. If you don’t need a lot of guidance, and simply want your accounting tasks to be carried out by professionals in the background, you might be better off with a firm such as Debitam.

The initial consultation is free, and the services Makesworth offers include payroll, VAT, year-end accounts, tax returns, and bookkeeping. You’ll have 24/7 access to your accounts via an online portal, so you always know what’s going on. And, if you’re switching from another firm, Makesworth promises a ‘no hassle switch’.

Debitam – Best for basic accounting services

What makes Debitam a top accounting service?

One of Debitam’s key features is that it offers tailored pricing for your specific needs, which means its pricing is transparent and you only ever pay for the exact service you need. For example, an accounts and tax return will cost £299 plus VAT. This service includes a tax return CT600 filing to Companies House and HMRC for micro businesses. If your needs are more bespoke, you can request a custom quote to see the firm’s fees up front.

With a 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot from over 3,000 reviews, you can be sure Debitam offers a great service. Customers have reported that they’re impressed with Debitam’s speed, efficiency, and friendly service. That said, some users have reported that they receive spam mail from the firm, which can be a huge nuisance.

Debitam operates online, but offers the option to meet with a member of their team, in or around London. If you’re not located in or near London, this could be difficult for you – plus, future contact will not typically occur in person. So if you’re looking to meet with your accountant regularly, Debitam might not be the right fit for you.

This firm is geared towards small businesses, offering convenient, affordable, and quick solutions to typically complex accounting tasks. It specialises in filing, and carries out all statutory compliance and filing to HMRC and Companies House. This includes payroll, bookkeeping, and tax returns.

Debitam also offers same-day service for any last minute filings. There is an extra charge for this, but it will help you avoid any late filing fees. These fines can range from £150 for a one month late filing to £1500 if it’s over five months late – so they’re best avoided.

TWB Accountants – Best for small businesses

What makes TWB Accountants a top accounting service?

TWB (Three Wise Bears) Accountants offer accounting services, tax advice, and business forecasting. TWB uses Xero accounting software, and provides assistance when switching over if your business previously used traditional accounting solutions or a different software. The firm’s team are Xero-certified and know how to use the software without any blips or issues. Training is offered if you or anyone in your business needs it, so you can also use Xero with ease.

TWB Accountants has a 4.7 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot, which is positive, but this is only from 68 reviews, so it may not be the most accurate reflection of the firm. That said, clients have reported that the accountants are helpful, friendly, and professional. Your business will have a dedicated accountant who’ll get to know you and your business well, and be able to offer tailored, useful advice.

TWB claims that it’s best suited to help start-ups, small businesses, creatives, landlords, ecommerce sellers, limited companies, and sole traders. You’ll need to request a quote directly with TWB, as the firm doesn’t advertise its pricing. This means the cost will most likely be based around the size of your business, and your specific accountancy needs. If you want more than just traditional accountancy and are looking for business development and marketing tools, you might be better suited to Pearl Chartered Accountants. However, if you only want core tax and accountancy services, TWB is a great fit.

The firm itself is fairly small and made up of chartered accountants, so you know they have the necessary expertise and knowledge to deal with your business’s accountancy and tax. As a small specialist firm, you can develop a relationship with your accountant, making this a suitable match for you if you’re looking for that personal touch.

Pearl Chartered Accountants – Best for add-on features

What makes Pearl Chartered Accountants a top accounting service?

Pearl Chartered Accountants is regulated by ICAEW, one of the UK’s premier accounting bodies, so you can be confident your business is in safe hands with this firm. Pearl’s pricing is transparent, with monthly packages priced at £49 per month plus VAT for start-ups, and £99 per month plus VAT for larger businesses. The start-up package includes a complete bookkeeping service, a dedicated account manager, and unlimited accountancy support.

You have the option of a flexible rolling monthly contract, or you can choose to pay annually, which gives you a discount. For start-ups, the cost goes down to £44 per month, and for other businesses, £94 per month.

Pearl’s business packages come in three tiers, suitable for small, medium, and large businesses. If you run a small business, but want services that aren’t included in the Classic package — such as tax investigation or legal support — you can choose to add these on at a cost. Business legal support is priced at £7.50 per month, and tax investigation is £15 per month.

Pearl also offers marketing features, such as website building and hosting, branding, and SEO. The firm will deal with designing a website for your business, and even manage your social media. Once your website’s up and running, the firm offers website and hosting packages that start from £89 per month. This means Pearl will deal with the hosting and security of your website and continue maintenance of the site.

Unlike most other accounting firms, Pearl is not just limited to accounting services. As well as marketing services, you can also choose business mentoring, priced at £500 per month, or even the provision of a part-time financial director for your business, also £500 per month.

If you want a firm that can help your business grow and evolve, Pearl Accountants is a great fit. You don’t have to go for these add-ons and premium features straightaway, but as your business scales, you can make the journey that much smoother by opting for these helpful services.

Pearl is not as personable and friendly as other firms, such as Makesworth Accountants, but in comparison, it offers a lot more, with transparent pricing, too. The pricing and features available make Pearl suitable for every business size and industry, but we think it’s especially suited to businesses that want integrated marketing, business, and accounting services.

SJPR Accountants – Best for business growth

What makes SJPR a top accounting service?

SJPR accountants offer bookkeeping, payroll, accounting, tax planning, finance, and business consulting for businesses, individuals, and charities in the UK. SJPR’s customer service team is made up of accountants, so you’ll always be able to get in contact with an accountant when you need help.

SJPR’s office is paperless, so you can use its app to send in relevant information, or bring your documents to the firm’s office to be scanned. The app makes it convenient and easy for you to send over your paperwork, plus you’ll have it all stored in one place.

As a client of SJPR, you’ll have access to the firm’s software, so you can stay up to date with your businesses accounting. This is especially helpful so you can have a clear view of your business’s accounts, and be able to make accurate and informed decisions.

SJPR also deals with any work that needs to happen for HMRC or Companies House, such as filing. The firm also helps businesses that are staring out, and can help you build from the ground up.

A unique feature of this firm is that it can assist businesses in looking for funding, making this suitable for businesses that are looking for more than just tax and accountancy services. If you’re considering investing in and growing your business, SJPR is a one-stop shop. Unlike Pearl Chartered Accountants, though, it doesn’t offer additional services such as marketing, so the best firm for you will depend on your unique business needs.

Importantly, SJPR also offers services in multiple languages, so if your first language isn’t English, you can still discuss complex issues with your accountant.

The best alternative accounting firms

If you’re still on the hunt for the right firm for your business, Just Accountants is a leading accountancy introducer. This means JA will find the right accountant for you, no matter the industry your business is in.

JA’s model is based on finding high-quality accountants for individuals, businesses, and charities. It’s a good option for you if you’re finding it difficult to narrow down your requirements and find the firm that’s best suited to your business.

How much do accounting services cost?

Accounting services costs for a small business are around £500 a year. Basic accounting services costs around £25 to £90 an hour, whereas specialist services can cost £120 to £150 an hour.

A one-off basic task is around a couple hundred pounds. More complex services will usually incur a higher fee.

What to look for in an accountant

You should choose a chartered accountant as they’ll have the relevant expertise and knowledge. You also want an accountant that’s ready to offer professional advice to help navigate you through the choppy waters of business accounting.

Your accountant should have great reviews online, so you can verify that they’re reputable and professional.

A cashless society is one that operates with no cash in sight: no notes, no change, no hard cash – just digital currency. Practically, this looks like only ever paying with your debit or credit card, Apple Pay, PayPal and other contactless forms of payment.

Covid-19 has left several hard-hitting changes in its wake, one of these being a necessary move towards cashless payments. What may have started out as a necessity has now morphed into the norm.

Cashless payments have a certain level of convenience, but a new report has emerged that highlights a section of society that would be alienated by a completely cashless society.

So we spoke to cashless businesses to see what they have to say about the pros and cons of going cashless. Stay tuned to find out what they have to say, and how being cashless has impacted their business.

The pros and cons of a cashless society for businesses

Pros of a cashless society

Convenience

Cashless payments are convenient for both consumers and businesses. Cashless payments mean there’s no need to lug around cash, and deal with finding or giving the right change.

Consumers are much more likely to part with their money when it’s a cashless payment, according to Jason McMahon, digital strategist at Bambrick. He says: “Customers who do not pay with cash tend to spend more. Paying with a credit card or phone is more convenient; you won’t need to bring enough cash to a restaurant or shopping outing. It also has a less authentic vibe.”

We have to agree, Jason. Next time you’re at the supermarket, notice how much easier (or harder) it is to part with your money when you’re using a cashless payment (or cash).

Less crime

Our gradual move over the last decade to cashless payments has significantly reduced street crime. As we step into a cashless society, cash-related robberies will become extinct, making businesses safer.

Having cash on site makes your business an easier target for thieves. Going cashless doesn’t just keep your business safe from theft but it also protects your customers from encountering robberies.

Quicker transactions 

Digital payments are almost instant – quicker transactions mean there’s less waiting around for your money to hit your account. This is one of the benefits for Lily, the founder and CEO of EverWallpaper, who says “The benefits of going cashless as businesses are speed and efficiency. Checks can take a few days to clear, while electronic payments are instantaneous. This means that businesses can receive payments sooner and have less money tied up in the form of slow-moving inventory.”

As well removing the hassle of having to physically deposit your cash into your bank account, you get to access your money that much quicker with cashless payments. This makes it easier for you to budget, assess your finances at any given point and plan accurately.

Easier to track finances

Digital payments create an online record that you can view, meaning you can more easily keep on top of all your business’s finances. When your financial data is plugged into an EPOS (electronic point of sales) system, EPOS software benefits include your data being turned into detailed reports and analytics, helping you to understand your sales, profits, and costs more clearly.

Brian Bram, founder and CEO of Home Gym Strength, tells us more about this: “When we switched our business to a cashless model, there were some definite advantages. For one thing, it was much easier to track our sales and expenses. We no longer had to worry about making changes for customers or counting out the till at the end of the night. Plus, going cashless made us seem more modern and innovative – something that can be important in attracting new customers.”

With all your transactions being processed in the same way, it makes it that much easier to keep on top of sales, performance, trends, expenses and more. Having a clear view of your business and sales gives you the information you need to make accurate and informed decisions.

Cons of a cashless society

Third party control

It’s a scary thought to some that a third party will have complete control of your money. Although, as a business we hope you’re not hiding anything from the tax man. For consumers, having a third-party in control can be more difficult to swallow, especially if there are privacy concerns.

As a business, having your money accessible to you in an easy and straightforward way makes it much easier to run your operations.

Investment and upkeep can be costly

Lily Wili, the founder and CEO of EverWallpaper, found that “the initial investment required to set up the necessary infrastructure“ is the main drawback of going cashless. Although, she does go on to tell us that this cost has been absorbed, and the company is now reaping the benefits of  implementing cashless payments.

Typically, when setting up a new system or process you may have to face the inevitable sting of the initial investment. Whilst this may put you off considering going cashless, the initial cost in this case is usually balanced out when switching to cashless payments, as there are fewer operational costs to deal with.

We spoke to Kriti Mawji, marketing manager at Belledorm, who discussed the costs of keeping it digital: “The technology is constantly changing, making it easier for your digital platforms to become outdated, which can lead to decreases in efficiency and security regarding transactions and storage of sensitive company and consumer information. While we are saving money with our cashless systems, we also pour a significant amount of money into maintaining our digital platforms to prevent potential data breaches or technical issues when the system is at capacity with transactions.”

Security can certainly be a concern for those wanting to go cashless, as there are worries around hacking or access to digital accounts. It seems that costs will be incurred in attempting to keep your platforms and accounts secure.

It’s a good idea to shop around and find the best EPOS system that suits your budget and is secure enough to protect your funds.

Increase in transaction fees

This isn’t every business’s experience, but some have found that the increase in transaction fees can cause issues.

Stella Scott, co-founder of EasyPaydayLoan, spoke to us about going cashless. She said: “Credit card transaction fees can go up to 4% of the total purchase amount. This is considerably expensive, and it created a dip in our revenue. However, we recover this through the reduced operating costs [of going cashless]. We also negotiated for better rates with our credit card processors rather than having to impose a credit card fee on clients.”

Whilst transactions fees may increase, the cost of going cashless tends to reduce other costs over time, so the transaction fees do not cause a substantial dent.

Should your business go cashless?

There are a few concerns that may prevent you from going cashless, such as giving up control of your money to a third party, and costly expenses. The benefits of going cashless include increased convenience, quicker transactions, and less crime.

Another concern is that some parts of society may be alienated by a cashless society. A new report published by the RSA has shown that ten million adults in the UK would struggle in a cashless society. The report lists a number of interesting findings, such as:

• Whilst most people are using cashless forms of payment, the section of society that would be alienated in a cashless society (as identified in the Access to Cash Review, 2019) remains almost the same
• A completely cashless society could lead to loss of control and spiralling debts
• Rural communities and vulnerable citizens may be unable to access cash
• A cashless society could lead to more isolation and less human connection

Notable statistics include:

• 96% of people withdraw cash frequently
• 25 million people in the UK said it would be an issue if there was no cash in society
• 15 million people use cash to budget
• 15 million people said they would cope in a cashless society, but it would be inconvenient

Depending on your customer demographic, you might find that going cashless won’t alienate your customers. If your customer demographic would be alienated by going cashless, it might not be the right option for you right now.

The report offers suggestions to support the move away from cash to provide an easier transition for those who are not yet in the position to go cashless. Whilst COVID-19 has been a catalyst to cashless payments becoming the norm, there is still some work to be done to ensure that people are able to use cashless payments and have access and control of their money.

The report suggests that the UK should maintain and adapt its cash infrastructure to ensure that it remains inclusive, in order to meet the needs of those who need it most.

To accommodate the inevitable, the report also suggests that digital inclusion is required to slowly reduce reliance on cash and offer an easier transition.

In the meantime, as a business you can opt for an EPOS (electronic point of sale) system that includes the ability to process cash payments. Lots of EPOS systems, such as Square, offer small and sleek hardware to take cashless payments too. This way you can give your customers the option to pay with and without cash.

Since competition in the foodservice industry intensified in 2023 – according to the National Restaurant Association – your eatery needs to put in the extra effort to be competitive in this landscape.

POS systems can be key tools to help you with that – and for our money, Square is the best POS system on the market, greatly streamlining credit card processing and stock control.

Square packs a restaurant-specific version that easily puts kitchen and front of house in conversation, and an intuitive interface, which offers massive help in those rush hours. Accordingly, it receives a high overall score of 4.7/5 in our research.

If you’d like to know more about our findings, read on to find out about other six outstanding POS systems we analyzed.

What is a Restaurant POS System?

Why Do Restaurants Use POS Systems?

1. Square: Best Overall Restaurant POS System

How much does Square cost?

With its POS systems starting from zero dollars per month, Square is one of the best value-for-money providers on the market. Although its transaction fees have increased, they are still within a similar range to those charged by competitors. If you want a more sophisticated system, Square’s dedicated Restaurant system is only $60 per month, which is cheaper than the equivalent systems from Clover and Toast, but more expensive than our value for money champion, Zettle.

Why Square is a top restaurant POS system

You can customize your menus however you like, add items to a display group, and place the best sellers on the main menu to speed up checkout times. These amendments can be made from anywhere and can be applied to all your locations. Your menu can also be updated with bulk additions, and you can even apply taxes and modifiers in bulk. All your online orders are managed on one screen, no matter who’s picking up the delivery, streamlining your service.

Using Square, you can also make life easier for your staff by applying advanced discounts, giving both your customers and staff a smooth experience. Click-and-drag tools make it easy and quick for you customize your table layout, and you can also monitor every seat so you know which tables are about to turn.

Square for Restaurants offers a Plus plan, which includes a feature that enables you to add a service charge to large groups. Plus also includes the ability to share the same settings among different staff members’ accounts, ensuring everyone is on the same page. A helpful feature is close of day reports so you aren’t left working past your bedtime. You can pull up shift reports for each employee to ensure everything is as it should be.

The Square POS app is free, and is handy if you run a start-up or small business – however, we recommend Square for Restaurants for its restaurant-specific features. The hardware that comes alongside the software – such as a card reader and stand – are affordable, so you don’t have to fork out thousands just to set up your POS system. Square is cloud-based and will run on any iPad or iPhone that has a Lightning port and runs iOS 10.0.2 or later.

How does Square compare to its competitors?

Despite cinching the number one spot, Square does lack some features, such as as reservations. If you want this feature, you’ll have to integrate it into your POS system via a third party, meaning extra costs and effort. That said, Toast and Touchbistro also have this limitation.

Square also lacks comprehensive inventory management tools, unlike Epos Now. Full-service restaurants may struggle without in-built reservation tools or advanced inventory management, so Square could be a better option for limited service restaurants. Full-service restaurants might be better off with a POS system such as Lightspeed. Lightspeed is on the pricier side, however, it has been designed specifically for the restaurant industry and includes advanced restaurant features and is able to handle multi-locations.

2. Clover: Best for Staff Performance Tracking

How much does Clover cost?

Clover is more of an investment than lower-priced systems like Zettle and Square. It does not offer a free plan; instead, its cheapest plan starts at $799 upfront plus $54.95 per month. It’s also important to note that this plan is suitable for quick-service dining eateries only, and not full-service restaurant operations. All that said, it’s beneficial that Clover offers multiple tiers, as you can select a plan that is just right for your needs, meaning you won’t under or overpay for your system.

Why Clover is a top restaurant POS system

Many users have noted that the interface is easy to use, so your staff don’t have to deal with a difficult and clunky system. If you want to take your business online, a pre-built integration gives you the ability to launch an online store, and manage your online and in-store inventory from one dashboard.

If you want sturdy POS hardware and a payment processor, Clover is a good fit for your business. If you’re in need of a more feature-rich POS software, you might be more suited to Square or Vend. Clover’s payment processing rates are lower than Square’s, however, although you’ll still need to fork out a monthly fee.

We gave Clover’s help and support provision a score of 4/5 after testing it out, thanks to the online assistance and dedicated Clover support number. This number is displayed on the Clover hardware, for easy access. But be aware that the software does only run on Android, which can be limiting if you currently use or want to use iOS devices.

How does Clover compare to its competitors?

Whilst Clover’s hardware is well-suited to its purpose, the software leaves a lot be desired for many users. The software is missing many functions and features that need to be added to the system via a third party app. The issue with this is that these third-party apps don’t integrate with each other. For example, if you download an invoicing app and a rewards app, the system cannot accurately track this and give the customer their rewards.

Another issue is that, if you run into problems with a third party app, you’ll need to deal with it with the app provider and not Clover, which can increase the amount of time it takes to resolve the issue.

3. Zettle: Most Affordable Restaurant POS System

How much does Zettle cost?

Zettle is our top scorer when it comes to pricing, with a free POS software app and affordable card machines from just $29 each. Bear in mind, however, that this is a much simpler system than those offered by Zettle’s competitors. While it’s not specifically designed for restaurants, Zettle can be customized to meet your needs, albeit with fewer bells and whistles than more advanced systems. However, simplicity has its advantages, so don’t dismiss Zettle on that basis.

Why Zettle is a top restaurant POS system

You can access simple and real-time reporting within the app, making it easy to track sales and staff. Inventory management is made easier with the ability to organize and sync your stock – staying on top of stock levels is important to ensure you don’t run into any sticky conversations with customers. Zettle’s stock management features earned one of its highest scores in our user testing process: a stellar 5/5.

A key feature of the Zettle app is its simplicity. Once installed, you can be set up and ready to go within minutes, which is why Zettle scores well for usability (5/5). However, Zettle doesn’t integrate with customer relationship management (CRM) systems, which makes it difficult to run customer loyalty programs or marketing campaigns.

How does Zettle compare to its competitors?

Zettle scores poorly in the business management (2.8/5) and business development (2.5/5) areas as it lacks many features found in other POS systems, such as Lightspeed, Square or TouchBistro.

Square is one of Zettle’s closest competitors as both offer free POS apps, however, Square’s software is a lot more comprehensive offering more features and tools. Zettle is best suited to businesses that only require the bare bones of a POS system.

4. Epos Now: Best for Restaurant Chains

How much does Epos Now cost?

Epos Now’s Full Service POS system is available for $449 for a complete restaurant management and payment system. It’s possible to get a customized quote via Epos Now’s sales team, or take advantage of flash sales – for example, a Black Friday deal saw this price slashed to just $99. That said, Epos Now is less transparent than other providers with regard to hidden costs and transaction fees, so it’s difficult to make a definitive comparison.

Why Epos Now is a top restaurant POS system

Epos Now offers a restaurant POS system that includes features such as: inventory tracking, robust reporting tools, and connection to major delivery apps.

Its Kitchen Display System is comprehensive, and allows the kitchen to receive orders in real-time. Online orders are also added to the KDS so both in-person and online orders are dealt with efficiently. Last-minute changes can also be made to orders.

During our testing process, we scored Epos Now highly in the customer service department with a 4/5. This is because you can conveniently contact customer service via phone, email, live chat, or reach out to the Epos Now community online.

How does Epos Now compare to its competitors?

With a score of 1.7/5 for price, Epos Now has the lowest score for pricing in our research because of its high fees. Core hardware and software start from $1,145 + $39 (standard) or $54 (premium) per month for software. These prices are higher than providers such as Square which has free POS software and hardware that starts from $29.

5. TouchBistro: Best for Customer Service

How much does TouchBistro cost?

TouchBistro’s POS system starts from $69 per month, and includes functionalities such as taking payments, menu creation, and table management. If you also want a kitchen display, that’s an extra $19 per month, while a reservation management system will cost you a pricey $229 per month. While TouchBistro offers great, fit-for-purpose restaurant features, before long, these add-ons can rack up a significant monthly investment.

Why TouchBistro is a top restaurant POS system

Table management tools empower you and your staff to provide your customers with a seamless service by monitoring factors such as distances, spend, and time seated. You can access the system from a smartphone, so orders can be taken tableside with all the necessary notes and amendments and be sent to the kitchen. TouchBistro scores well in the business and stock management areas, we gave it a 5/5 in both categories during our hands-on testing.

The system is simple, intuitive, and flexible, making it easy to use. The system is fast and able to cope with a high volume of orders without slowing down or affecting service. Some users have reported that TouchBistro’s card machine is too small and difficult to use. You can use a third-party card reader, but these don’t tend to integrate well, causing delays, which can be time-consuming.

How does TouchBistro compare to its competitors?

TouchBistro gives you the option to add on features to create one comprehensive platform, including reservations, marketing, online ordering, and gift cards. These come at a cost, and compared to lots of other POS systems where these features are included, this can add up price-wise. You can get a free quote on the TouchBistro website, which can help you assess your options and whether or not this is an affordable system for you. If you’re keen to use a system where you receive tons of customer support, it may be worth it, however the core system is a little lacking in features.

TouchBistro does not offer a free trial so you can test out whether or not you’re happy with the interface and features, which can make it harder to decide whether or not this is the right system for your restaurant. Once you’ve signed a contract with TouchBistro, it’s difficult to opt out. Failure to alert TouchBistro with written notice 30 days prior to your desire to end the contract means you get locked into another contractual period.

6. Lightspeed: Easiest Restaurant POS to Use

How much does Lightspeed cost?

Like TouchBistro, Lightspeed’s plans start at $69, which is more expensive than competitors Zettle, Clover, and Square. Its plans are split into three neat tiers with clearly defined specs for what’s included at each price point. At $199 per month, Lightspeed’s Advanced system is more expensive than comparable plans from competitors. For reference, Clover’s Advanced plan costs $69.90 per month, while Toast’s Growth plan is priced at $165 per month.

Why Lightspeed is a top restaurant POS system

You can integrate delivery and contactless online ordering, diversifying your revenue streams and expanding your restaurant’s reach and customer base. Online orders are consolidated one one screen, so your kitchen can work efficiently.

You can adjust your floor plan and move tables on the Lightspeed app so you can make any last minute adjustments, ensuring your staff are immediately aware of any changes. Items can transferred to a different table, seat or floorplan, giving your customers a great experience. Your customers can order by course or seat and split the bill with ease. We found these features really convenient, so rated Lightspeed a near-perfect 4.5/5 in our research process.

Direct Order Mode is also available, so you can take orders and payments quickly.

Lightspeed’s reporting functions make it easy for you to see what’s working and what’s not, so you can quickly adjust and make the necessary changes. Lightspeed Payments is integrated into the platform, so your customers can pay with a credit or debit card and mobile payments. However, in order to use Lightspeed Payments, you have to purchase a specific card machine, incurring extra cost or inconvenience if it’s not your preferred choice. Your payment reports sync to your back office so you have easy access to your numbers. Lightspeed also boasts an expert team who can give you advice on chargeback management and fraud assistance.

Lightspeed is scalable, making it a great option for businesses who expect to expand. You can start out with a less comprehensive system, but as your restaurant grows, the system can grow alongside it. This means you don’t pay for features you don’t need.

How does Lightspeed compare to its competitors?

Lightspeed is flexible, but the number of options, add-ons, and integrations means it can take a long time to set up and get used to, making it difficult for those who lack tech experience. The add-on features come at a cost, which can add up to make it an expensive option.

Lightspeed’s POS app is accessed via an iPad, making it convenient, flexible, and efficient. However, you may want to opt for a system that has purpose-built hardware, such as Toast. Restaurant-grade hardware is typically stronger, more durable, and built to withstand factors such as a very hot kitchen.

7. Toast: Best for Features

How much does Toast cost?

Toast’s Quick Start Bundle is a huge draw, as it enables smaller businesses to benefit from a professional POS system without the need for financial investment. In case it’s a hit, Toast’s more expensive tiers are reasonably priced and in line with its competitors Clover and TouchBistro, with its Core plan starting at $69 per month.

Why Toast is a top restaurant POS system

Toast Go® is a handheld device that increases order efficiency. The Toast Go® is extremely durable as it’s spill, drop, and dustproof. With a 24-hour battery life and a processing speed that’s up to three times as fast as the previous model, your customers and staff are in for a smooth experience.

Square’s free POS app is a type of handheld POS system that can be used on smartphones. In comparison, the Toast Go is a lot more expensive although it has the advantage of being made from durable material, handy for restaurant environments. During our testing process, we scored Toast’s hardware slightly higher than Square’s, with a 4.1/5 compared to Square’s 4/5.

Toast’s Kitchen Display System is key to running an efficient and tight ship. Everyone in the kitchen can have visibility on the KDS, and all the info they need to provide a seamless service. Toast claims that its self-ordering kiosks reduce wait times. These kiosks give customers the freedom to customize their orders and pay with a contactless form of payment.

Online ordering is made commission-free with the tools offered by Toast. Online orders can be integrated into the POS system so your kitchen can seamlessly prepare in-person and online orders. Toast also offers a customer relationship management (CRM) system, giving you the tools to develop a relationship with your customers. The CRM system gives you marketing tools such as restaurant-specific email templates, automated campaigns, and the ability to build an email list. That said, some users have reported that the syncing is not always accurate, which can mean information such as inventory levels is incorrect.

How does Toast compare to its competitors?

Toast offers tons of features helpful for managing a restaurant, however its customer service is reported by users as being fairly slow. This can cause major hiccups, especially in a fast-paced environment.

Plus, Toast POS only runs on Android, which can be a drawback depending on your preferences and current devices.

Buying Guide: How to Choose a Restaurant POS System

When choosing a restaurant POS system, there are a few considerations that may make your decision clearer.

First things first, you should define your specific needs. Depending on whether you run an independent coffee kiosk or a multi-location chain restaurant, your desired system will have different capabilities. Make a list of must-have and nice-to-have features based on your restaurant’s operations to get a clear picture of what kind of system will bring the benefits you genuinely need.

Here are some extra tips on what to look out for when choosing a restaurant POS system:

Pricing

Restaurant POS systems have a wide range of costs. Consider upfront costs, as well as whether both the software and hardware are included in the subscription fee. Make sure to include the added cost of integration, training, and transaction fees in your budgeting.

Realistically plan for any projected growth as well. While choosing a system that can accommodate your expected future needs will prevent you from having to switch systems later down the line, be careful not to splurge on an over-complicated system with unnecessary features.

Software

Choose between a cloud-based system and an on-premise system, and ensure your software package includes the features you need to run your restaurant business smoothly. These could include:

• Reservation management, to help you book out tables in advance and gather customer data
• Online ordering functionality, so you can offer your food as takeout or accept online pre-orders
• Analytics, so you can learn which meals are most popular, which staff members are processing the most transactions, and more
• Inventory management, to help you keep on top of your ingredients and prevent you from running out of something unexpectedly
• Customer loyalty programs, so you can offer benefits that entice customers back to your restaurant as repeat visitors

It’s worth being aware that if you prioritize features that help automate your workflows and prevent manual work, you may be able to reduce your labor costs.

Hardware

Think about the important pieces of hardware that your business needs, and how many of them you need – from POS terminals and card machines to receipt printers, kitchen printers, and cash drawers. While most providers can offer portable card machines so your staff can take payments at the table, some providers can replace them with a mobile tablet that can save you some money and streamline the number of gadgets you need to maintain. Ensure your durability and compatibility needs are met.

Add-ons, integrations, and support

Add-ons like advanced analytics features can level up your operations and help you spot missed opportunities. You should also pay attention to the software that your chosen POS system can integrate with – for example, does it come ready to integrate with the accounting software brand that you’re already using? You should also check the training resources, onboarding support, and post-implementation support terms providing by the POS provider to ensure your team will get the support they need to learn the new system.

If you’re not sure, it’s wise to try before you buy. Reach out to your shortlisted restaurant POS providers for free demos to evaluate their ease of use and performance. This gives more clarity than simply reading online user reviews. When testing the system, take a methodical approach, involve your team, and pay attention to features that improve day-to-day operations and save you time.

What are the Different Types of Restaurant POS System?

There are generally four different types of POS systems:

1. Terminal – based around a terminal card machine
2. Mobile – a software POS system that can be used on any mobile device
3. Cloud-based – software that can be accessed remotely and used on any compatible device
4. Open source – free POS system software that can be used and accessed by anyone

How Much Does a Restaurant POS System Cost?

Cloud-based POS systems such as Square, Zettle, and Lightspeed can be used on a phone or tablet, which means you only need to purchase core hardware such as a card reader. These are typically affordable ($29 for the Zettle Card Reader 2), and seeing as Zettle’s POS app is free, you don’t have a costly monthly fee.

On average, monthly fees for POS systems are around $69 per month. Hardware fees can be much costlier at an average of $1,000+, however this is an initial cost, and once you’re set up, you’re unlikely to need to purchase new hardware for a long time.

Our Methodology

Our research team compared 12 different POS providers to find the best system on the market. The research team scored each system based on several factors including:

• Hardware
• Price
• Usability
• Help and Support
• Business Development

These research areas were chosen based on how important these factors are to POS customers. We know how crucial it is for a POS system to be within your budget, offer durable and easy-to-use hardware and software, and have good customer service. 

Customers have less face-to-face time these days than they did even five years ago. The COVID-19 pandemic forced a lot of businesses and customers into their homes, meaning that there was a rapid shift in how customer relationships needed to be handled.

While virtual customer touchpoints have been around for a couple of decades now, they were forced into center-stage during 2020, meaning that businesses all but need some way of keeping in touch with their customers outside of solid in-person customer service.

Now that businesses operate online as much they did in person, they need to be certain of the best avenues to invest their time and money when it comes to customer touchpoints. Here are the best touchpoints for various industries and business types.

What Is a Customer Touchpoint, and How Do They Help Businesses?

When we use the phrase “customer touchpoint,” what are we referring to? In a sentence, a customer touchpoint is a method or medium through which your business can keep in contact with its customers. Selling a product or service is great, but if your customer is satisfied, you’ll want to stay in their mind as long as possible to ensure future sales.

Customer loyalty is crucial in any industry. Repeat customers are typically far more profitable than first-time buyers – a 5% increase in retention can bolster profit margins by 95%. Even if your customer isn’t satisfied, you’ll still want to be in touch with them, just in case you’re able to fix whatever problem they had, or learn where you went wrong in order to fix it next time.

Competing for customer attention has always been a difficult prospect, but it’s become even harder now that the pandemic has pushed a lot of businesses online. Experiences that could have heavily relied on presenting a physical store or delivering charming customer service had to quickly adapt to virtual touchpoints.

Customer Touchpoint Examples

After asking business owners and marketing executives from various industries what they consider to be the most useful customer touchpoints, we noticed some consistent answers. Of the approximate 200 answers we got, here were some of the most common responses, in order of their frequency:

• Email marketing and newsletters
• Social media/websites/paid ads
• Customer feedback surveys
• Phone calls/texts/apps
• Face-to-face meetings

These will all work best at different stages in the customer journey. For example, ads and a social media presence may work best to pull an initial customer in, whereas a feedback survey or newsletter may remind the customer that your business appreciated their custom, and hopefully reel them back in.

Email Marketing/Newsletters – Suitable for All Businesses

In our research, email was the most popular customer touchpoint by an absolute mile. And it’s easy to see why! Almost everyone has an email account, and any email can be sent to any email address – unlike social media, where Twitter users can’t see Facebook posts, for example.

Another positive element of email marketing is the aspect of consent. Customers will usually need to sign up for your emailing list, and every marketing email is required to come with an “opt out” function, so customers will never be too annoyed by your contact.

“In my industry, it’s essential to develop long-term relationships with clients. The consultancy industry is not like the retail industry, where customers come flocking in the thousands. So it’s important to really hold on to the customers you get. In this regard, email marketing works wonders because we send personalized messages to those who have already signed up for our services.

“In this regard, retention is the name of the game. By delivering targeted messages, we successfully interact with our customers and strengthen relationships with them.”

– Kamyar Shah, Fractional COO at Kamyar Shah

While emails can be sent in specific instances to notify customers about sales or events, they can also be used more regularly as general newsletters. While these used to be printed and sent out to individuals at their homes, with email marketing they can be sent out en masse (without wasting paper!)

These can keep customers (and other interested parties) in the loop with your business. Even if your customers don’t read every word, seeing your business’s name in their inbox will definitely help them remember you.

“I am an immigration attorney, and have found that newsletters, whether online or in print, provide us with the best return – dollar for dollar. They do not work by themselves, as there must have been some initial awareness of our services before we mail them to random individuals. But newsletters are, without question, a great resource for our firm.”

– Renata Castro, Esq., Castro Legal Group

And on the topic of emails, one of the best ways to manage any kind of customer touchpoint is a customer relationship management (CRM) platform. CRM platforms offer a central dashboard through which businesses can manage their various touchpoints, like their emails and social media campaigns.

“We work with many individuals and nonprofits, and it’s always essential for us to have consistent communication as well as a way to keep a record of our communications, so there is no confusion. This is why we prefer to keep up with our customers via email or CRM. The CRM system we use connects to our website, and all messages come straight to the system. This allows us to keep accurate records and always keep up with each customer or business so we can give them a personalized experience with us. We also use social media to keep potential clients up to speed on what’s happening with the business and answer any commonly asked questions. However, we still primarily talk to customers via email and CRM.”

– Max Turner, CEO of Car Donation Centers

Social Media/Web Presence – Best for Businesses with Visual Elements (Food, Grooming, Photography)

Social media has grown from a simple way of keeping in touch with friends and sharing funny pictures into a highly valued highway between businesses and customers. It’s also a very unique method of connecting, as it can be used at any stage, between your customer learning that your business exists and them coming back for their tenth purchase.

For example, using paid ads on Facebook or Instagram is a very effective way to get noticed initially. Your business can target certain demographics and ensure you’re being seen by the most valuable eyes.

“For my industries (marketing and cooking), I have found that the best way to keep in touch with customers is through digital advertising. I’ve noticed that digital ads, particularly for cooking, are a much more palatable way for a customer to engage with your brand. Cooking is a bit different because consumers only really want to search your business when they need a recipe – they don’t respond in the same way that other B2C audiences do. This is why digital ads are so useful for catching a customer’s attention – at the exact point that they need it!”

– Anna Silver, Founder, CEO, and Creative Director of CookForFolks

One of the main appeals of social media is the ease of including images. Obviously emails can send pictures, but they can be slow to load, or even not show up at all on mobile devices. For businesses that live and die by their aesthetic or the visual draw of their service, this can be a game changer. Businesses that rely on food, cute animals, or landscapes would all benefit hugely from the ability to add images to their posts.

“Leveraging social media as a touchpoint works well for us specifically because we are in the pet wellness industry. Each dog we feature is automatically a brand ambassador due to how undeniably cute and likable users find them.

“As a business run by dog-lovers, I can’t deny that we seek communities of dog-lovers to buy our products. Right now, many of them use social media with their pets regularly, so that’s where we have to advertise our business to garner the best results.”

– James Shalhoub, Co-founder of Finn

And while having an active presence on social media is definitely effective, it can be equally as effective to run your own website. Businesses basically need to have their own websites these days. It’s one place on the internet where you can control everything, from the colors to the font – something you can’t fully do through social media.

“We get the best engagement with our customers through our in-depth resources library on our webpage. We have a very specific target market and by focusing on valuable content for that market, we maintain and improve engagement with our clients. While we do have various social media channels and we do use them to engage with customers, by far the best feedback or interaction we get is by publishing useful content on our website.”

– Eran Galperin, Founder and CEO of Gymdesk

Feedback Surveys – Best for Businesses Looking for Strong Customer Relations (Hotels, Hospitality, Retail)

All businesses benefit from return customers, so it can be worth making sure those customers are as happy as possible. Or, in the worst case, it’s worth learning what they didn’t like in order to improve on the experiences of future customers.

There are few better signs that a business cares than a sincere request for feedback. Especially since, in the customer’s mind, their purchase is finished, and you’re not trying to butter them up. These feedback requests can be done through your own proprietary system, or even on Google Reviews or Yelp, which can give customers a good assessment of how your business operates.

“The customer journey is an important part of understanding how your brand can provide the best customer experience. Legiit has found that the most important touchpoint for ecommerce businesses is product/service feedback surveys. The feedback survey is sent to the customer after they have purchased a product/service so that the customer can evaluate their experience with the brand…

“The survey helps create loyal customers because it indicates to the customer that your brand cares about them even after they have purchased products, therefore they are likely to purchase from the brand again.”

– Chris Walker, Founder of Legiit

While negative feedback is useful if you’re looking to improve, it can be equally nice to get positive feedback. This feedback can be used as customer testimonials, which you can put on your website or commercial materials in order to entice other customers.

“The Dolder Grand uses different kinds of tools to stay in touch with its guests after their stay. After each stay, we send out a questionnaire provided by LHW’s Qualtrics to rate the stay. This helps us to improve our services and standards continuously.

“In addition, Google or TripAdvisor are important platforms to receive feedback from our guests along with our monthly newsletter, social channels, and our website to keep our guests up to date on new happenings at our hotel.”

– The Dolder Grand, luxury hotel

Phone Calls/Texts/App Notifications – Best for Businesses with Younger Customers (Retail, Events)

Much like how everyone has an email address, you’d be hard pressed to find someone in the modern day who doesn’t have a cell phone. We all have phones, and they’re rarely out of arm’s reach, so they’re a prime way of communicating with your customers.

While emails and social media posts are effective, text messages and push notifications have the best of both worlds. Social media posts may only be seen by a certain percentage of your audience, and opening an email can be more of a commitment than opening a text. Texts are fast, guaranteed to reach your customer, and easy to deal with.

“We found that the most important ways of keeping in touch with customers are SMS and mobile app push notifications, because they provide you with a direct channel to your customers. SMS have open rates around 90%, and app push notifications have click rates around 8-10%.

“Emails, on the other hand, get filtered by inboxes and have open rates around 18% and click rates around 1%. Social media posts can be great, but they are not always reliable since you end up reaching only about 1% of your audience due to limits on organic traffic. So SMS and app push notifications really work great for every industry due to the high engagement.”

– Jack Lee, Co-Founder of TripBison

As texts and apps are a bit newer than emails, this touchpoint method is especially suited to businesses with a younger audience. Retail businesses that focus on a younger demographic, or event-planning businesses focused on gigs or large social events, would be the perfect candidates for text-based touchpoints.

“I find that in my industry, SMS marketing campaigns are the most effective. Almost 100% of customers are likely to open their SMS messages, and most respond within three minutes, especially when I use a strong call to action in the message. Folks are also far more likely to respond to SMS messages than emails or Facebook or Instagram messages. This is especially true with younger generations.”

– Geoff Cudd, Consumer Advocate and Owner of DDIY.co

Another great reason to use texts is if your business relies on rapid updates. For example, a business that relies on deliveries or in-person services (like plumbing or building) is going to want to make sure its customers are in the loop with how the timeframe is going. For example, if there’s traffic or a delay, a customer won’t see this in time if it’s sent over email. A text, however, will likely be seen immediately, keeping communication smooth.

“Our customers like convenience, and they don’t necessarily want to be bothered with additional notifications or having to download any new apps. Because our business is service-based and we deliver products to our customers, it’s easier to keep in contact with them the same way we communicate with them when we make deliveries. When you think about it, consider pizza delivery companies, Amazon, and other product delivery services – they manage and keep in contact with their customers with a similar method.”

– Ashley Chubin, COO of FlyHi

Face-to-Face Meetings – Best for Businesses with High-Quality Clients

Despite COVID’s recent death grip on the in-person customer experience, sometimes it really just can’t be beat. Obviously in-person meetings aren’t for every business type – your standard retail business won’t have the time or necessity to forge a personal connection with every customer.

However, if you’re a business that deals with a handful of heavy-hitting high-cost clients (typically B2B businesses), it pays to personalize their experience as much as possible. If you’re able to arrange a meeting in person, that’s great, but the benefits from even just a virtual meeting are huge when you’re trying to woo someone.

“In the marketing automation industry, clients can smell nonsense a mile away. This means that many standard forms of marketing and engagement can actually be counterproductive. Product demos are where the meat of engagement has to come from, actually giving away something useful rather than hoping to reel someone in with curiosity based on a Facebook or LinkedIn post. Being able to do more up front, more than your competition at any rate, is its own form of advertising.”

– Kate Kandefer, Co-founder and CEO at SEOWind

Web conferencing software has been around since the early days of Skype, but it majorly stepped up during the pandemic, allowing coworkers to meet coworkers and businesses to meet clients. While it’s obviously a distant second to real human connection, it still allows people to hear tone and intention in the spoken word.

“Interacting with your customers daily is one of the cornerstones to a successful customer communications strategy… Technology may frequently lead to irritation or misinterpretation. Face-to-face contacts lessen the possibility of miscommunication with a corporation while increasing the possibility of real connection.”

– Emma Gordon, Founder at USSalvageYards

It doesn’t have to be a one-on-one meeting either. Some companies will hold or attend industry-specific events that allow them to both touch base with existing customers, and establish connections with new customers.

“One of our other major customer touchpoints is at industry-specific events. This is our most successful method for reaching new customers and also a great way to re-engage with customers who have used us previously. We target recruitment events and offer help and advice to businesses about how they should be using criminal record checks in their recruitment processes. We always generate a lot of interest from this type of event, and as in-person events open up again, it will return to being a priority focus for us.”

– James Parkinson, Head of Marketing at Personnel Checks

Combining Multiple Customer Touchpoint Methods

One of the most common sentiments among all of our research respondents was that it’s rare for a business to rely solely on a single method of contacting its customers. Most businesses that rely on email marketing to spread their messages will also dabble in social media and run their own website.

“One of the most important things to remember about marketing is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach! If I rely solely on a couple of strategies to stay in front of my customers, I will end up a victim of change blindness. Our brains are designed to adapt and hide the recurring stimulus that is not proving to be harmful to us. So if I only email, or only call, I will end up getting ignored, even if it’s not intentional!”

– Stephanie Scheller, CEO and Founder of Grow Disrupt

The Future of Customer Communication

Business won’t go back to the way it was before the pandemic. Even before COVID struck, businesses were veering away from being in-person – the pandemic just accelerated it. However, with all the various touchpoint options at their disposal nowadays, businesses are at a massive advantage.

Back before the internet, businesses had very few lanes through which they could communicate with their customers. They had television commercials, ads in print media, and physical mail, but these were (and still are) expensive, and weren’t as much of a conversation as these newer touchpoints are.

Modern-day touchpoints are more affordable, more focusable, and more conducive to personalization. As your business’s online presence grows, you’ll begin to master customer touchpoints, and use them to optimize their growth.

The main difference between fuel cards and credit cards can be surmised almost entirely from the name. We all know what a credit card is and how they work – a fuel card is just the same principle, but purchases are only restricted to petrol stations.

Fuel cards are an incredibly useful resource for businesses that rely on vehicles to operate. Whether it’s deliveries, transporting passengers, or long haul trucking, many businesses will contain an element of vehicle use, even if it’s not a major aspect, and being able to save money on your fuel costs can be a huge help.

If you could benefit from a fuel card, take a look at our guide to the best business fuel cards in the UK to find one suited to your business.

What Is a Fuel Card?

For those not in the know, a fuel card is a physical card that allows businesses to fuel their vehicles and fleets at a discounted price. It can only be used at petrol stations, meaning that each employee can be given a card without concern that they have carte blanche access to your business’s finances.

Not only that, but the best fuel cards can aid with fleet management, helping you plan the most efficient routes in order to save even more on petrol costs.

What Is the Difference Between a Credit Card and a Fuel Card?

So getting down to brass tacks, what are the exact differences between a credit card and a fuel card?

Well, a credit card is easy – you might even have one yourself. Credit cards allow you to make purchases and pay them off over time, rather than all at once. And the reliability of your payments allows you to build up a credit score, which can help you when taking out loans.

Fuel cards are the same in principle, just not in function. They’re still little plastic rectangles that fit into a wallet that you can use to pay for goods and services. However, these goods and services are specifically limited to petrol stations across the country.

This can lead to a lot of peace of mind, as you’d have to put a lot of trust into each of your drivers for each of them to have a card with a direct line to your business’s finances. However, if the card can only be used on business expenses, it’s a lot easier to pass them around.

A benefit of fuel cards, however, is that they offer discounts on fuel if they’re used at participating petrol stations. These discounts can range between 2p and 20p per gallon, which can really add up if your business relies on vehicles. They can also provide additional services, like route optimization and feedback reports on each driver/vehicle.

The UK government introduced a plan in November 2021 to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, and hybrid cars by 2035, in an effort to deal with climate change.

This means that as more businesses switch to electric or hybrid vehicles, they’ll rely on credit cards as they typically offer cashbacks or rewards.

How Can I Choose the Right Fuel Card?

There are a fair few fuel card options on the market, so you’ll want to know the right choice for your business. It’s not as easy as comparing prices, unfortunately, as fuel card prices vary wildly based on all sorts of criteria (fleet size, electric/diesel vehicles, etc). So we’ve taken the criteria we can nail down and used it to come up with three of our favourite fuel card providers.

I Am an Independent Driver

I Own a Small Fleet

I Own a Large Fleet

Next Steps

If you’re interested in a fuel card, you’re in the right spot! We know all there is to know about fuel cards, whether you’re looking for the most affordable options, or the absolute best fuel cards on the market, we look at all the options worth considering.

If you’re ready to invest in a fuel card but aren’t sure on the specifics just yet, our fuel card comparison tool is a great place to start. By filling out some basic info pertaining to your business and its needs, you’ll receive zero-commitment quotes for fuel cards that can help your business save on petrol.

Grey fleet management is the process of using employee vehicles to serves business functions. For example, an employee may be asked to use their car to make deliveries, and then be reimbursed for any petrol costs that they incurred.

This is a pretty effective way of saving money for businesses that might not be able to afford a fleet of its own vehicles. Smaller businesses might want to put their precious capital elsewhere, so saving on vehicle costs by using employee-owned vehicles can be huge help.

Gas prices are higher now than they have been in a considerable while, so saving money where you can is crucial. While you’d obviously still have to pay to fuel each delivery or trip, you won’t have to cover entire tanks of petrol in order to keep your fleet well-filled.

What Is Grey Fleet Management?

A grey fleet is a fleet of vehicles that are each individually owned by employees, rather than belonging to the business itself. This is typically used for smaller businesses that might not be able to afford an entire fleet of vehicles. Instead, they can save money by simply paying for the necessary fuel for each trip.

Let’s come up with an example – a small flower shop with a handful of employees, each with their own personal car. A flower shop would need to generate a lot of profit before investing in its own dedicated delivery fleet, but it would still benefit from the ability to deliver flowers. This flower shop could fund each employee’s ability to use their own car as a delivery vehicle by reimbursing petrol costs.

It’s not an uncommon method. In fact, the UK alone, there are an estimated 14 million grey fleet vehicles on the road. These vehicles drive a total of 1.5 billion miles a year, at an approximate cost of £786 million.

What Are Grey Fleet Management’s Benefits?

The main benefit of grey fleet management is the saving on cost. Not spending money on vehicles, maintenance, and insurance is a great way for small businesses to save on costs. This is the main benefit of a grey fleet, but it’s a fairly sizeable one, and can be make or break for any small businesses trying to buff their margins.

What Are the Risks of Grey Fleet Management?

Obviously since these vehicles don’t belong to the business and are tied entirely to each individual worker, the business has no real control or jurisdiction over these vehicles. If an employee leaves, then that’s one less vehicle in the business’s fleet. And it can be trickier hiring an employee willing to submit their car to this kind of system. If a car is damaged or needs repairs, then it’s on the employee to cover those costs.

Of course, the business could cover these costs, but this investment would go entirely into the employees’ property, and not the business’s. Many businesses that use grey fleet management do indeed cover employee vehicle repair costs, as it is indeed in their own interests, but it would definitely be a sunk cost.

It can also be a bit more of a pain to gauge fuel costs. With a conventional business fleet, you simply pay to fill them up when they run low on petrol. But with a grey fleet, you’ll need to keep a close eye on the amount of miles tallied up by each car, and whether these miles are for business or for the employees’ own usage. Not an enormous pain, but definitely something to keep on top of.

And while this isn’t a risk, it’s still an overall negative – grey fleet vehicles emit roughly 1.5 times the amount of CO2 as an average company car.

How Much Does Grey Fleet Cost?

Very, very little! At least compared to owning your own fleet. Since a grey fleet is made up of vehicles that have already been purchased by each employee, the business itself won’t have to invest much in their fleet costs, like insurance, maintenance, and the initial purchase of the vehicles themselves. The only major cost that goes into this model is the fuel reimbursements.

One thing worth considering is mileage. When a business owns its own fleet, it is in complete control of the kinds of vehicles it uses. When it’s a grey fleet, the employees might be using some real gas-guzzlers that you’ll have to pay disproportionately more to reimburse. When it’s a curated fleet, a business will be able to choose fuel-efficient vehicles to minimise costs, but in a grey fleet, you’ll have to make do with what your employees own.

How to Effectively Manage a Grey Fleet?

In order to smoothly run a grey fleet, employees will need to be diligently trained on how to tally and report their fuel consumption. Frequent and accurate numbers are key in maintaining a healthy grey fleet – otherwise your business may be overspending on petrol, or your employees will be fronting business expense costs, both of which are not ideal.

The best way to do this is to jump on reimbursement as quickly as possible. If an employee does a delivery and needs to be covered for their fuel expenses, it’s best to wrap this up quickly as they return, or at least tally it up for a reimbursement at the end of the week/month. If you leave expenses floating around too long, things could get lost, and employees could get annoyed if they feel that they’re taking too long to be paid back.

Next Steps

Whether or not grey fleet management is for you, we’re here to help. We know all there is to know when it comes to fleet management and fuel cards. If your business relies on vehicles to perform shipping or deliveries, you’ll want to at least familiarise yourself with these services, even if you don’t end up opting for them.

Our top POS system for bars is Square, closely followed by Lightspeed and TouchBistro.

POS systems help you manage your bar with ease. With table tools, reports, and scheduling, you can ensure your bar runs smoothly.

Read on to learn more about the best POS systems to find the best fit for your bar.

What are the Best Bar POS Systems?

Square

Best for Cost-Conscious Users

Lightspeed

Best for Overall Features

TouchBistro

Best for Loyalty Schemes

Clover

Best for Medium-Sized Businesses

Zettle by PayPal

Best for Small Businesses

What is a Bar POS System?

POS stands for point of sale, and refers to software and hardware that processes payments. POS systems have come a long way from the traditional cash register, and can now carry out a whole range of functions.

Bars (and really anyone in the hospitality industry) can make use of specialised-features such as bill splitting, open bar tabs, and customizable floor plans.

What are the Benefits?

Here are a few benefits of using a POS system at a bar:

Cohesive Practices

Using a POS system means your customers and staff will have a consistent experience.

Customer Service

POS systems offers tools to provide a great experience for your customers. From an efficient ordering process to loyalty programs, a smoother system means a smoother experience for your customers.

Insightful Analytics

Most POS systems offer reporting tools of some kind. These make it easy for you to track sales, inventory, and employee shifts and performance. Having this data on hand makes it easier to make the right decisions on a granular level, as well as the big-picture stuff.

Increased Organization

Organization is next to godliness – or something like that. Staying organized is key to your business’s success. Tools such as analytics, and accounting and payroll integrations, make your business more streamlined and effective.

How Much is a POS System for a Bar?

POS system costs can start from as low as $0, with systems such as Square and Zettle by PayPal offering free apps, although you will still need to fork out some dough for hardware. With both these providers, hardware is priced fairly low, with card readers from both starting at $29.

At the higher end, you can expect to pay from around $69 per month for your POS software, and $1,000+ for hardware.

What to Look for in a Bar POS System

The right POS system for you and your bar will depend on a number of factors. These include:

• Your budget
• Your business size
• The scalability of the system 
• The customizability of the system 

You might have some unique needs – for example, you may want to have several options to split the bill, if you find that this is a regular occurrence at your bar. In that case, you want to opt for a POS system that will allow for this.

Other needs could be employee scheduling, or the ability to integrate third party apps so you can carry out accounting and payroll functions.

Your required features will be unique to you, so think about what your ideal system would look like and use that to define the parameters of your search.

Need a Quote?

The best POS provider for bars is Square, for its simplicity, price, and features. If you’re in need of a more comprehensive system, we recommend Lightspeed, an all-in-one POS system.

With years of experience in recommending POS systems with our expert research, we’ve identified the best systems in the industry based on factors such as:

• Business management
• Stock management
• Price
• Customer support
• Till

If you’re not sold on a particular POS system yet, you can use our free quote-finding tool to compare and save on POS systems. Tell us what you’re looking for, and we’ll match you up with the best POS providers for your needs. They’ll then be in contact directly to answer your questions, and offer tailored, no-obligation quotes for you to compare. It’s a fast, easy way to find and compare the right options for you.