About the Software

Q: What kinds of retailers use Point of Sale?

Point of Sale is ideal for many types of retailers. Here are a few examples:

Specialty hard goods
retailers:
  • Jewelry
  • Optical
  • Lumber and Building
  • Floor Covering-Hardware
  • Paint and Wallpaper
  • Drapery and Upholstery
  • Sporting Goods
  • Housewares
  • Computers & Electronics
  • Music and Video
  • Musical Instruments
  • Camera

Specialty soft goods retailers:

  • Clothing, Footwear, and Accessories
  • Luggage and Leather
  • Furniture and Home Furnishings
  • Sewing and Fabric

General merchandise:

  • Gift and Souvenir
  • Museum
  • Game and Hobby
  • Nursery and Garden

Q: Are there any types of retailers that Intuit QuickBooks Point of Sale is not meant for?

A: There are a few types of retailers for whom Intuit QuickBooks Point of Sale is not optimal, including:

  • Retail stores without a physical location, for example stores that only sell products on the Web
  • Retailers with more than 20 locations
  • Grocery or convenience stores
  • Liquor stores
  • Gas stations
  • Full service restaurants or bars

Q: What are the differences between the three editions of Point of Sale?

A: Point of Sale is available in three levels:

  • Basic: For retailers who need basic inventory, sales and customer tracking
  • Pro: All the features in Basic, plus additional inventory and sales features such as:
    • advanced tracking of products by style and color
    • serial number tracking
    • sales orders
    • layaways
    • multiple units of measure
    • committed vs. available inventory
    • employee commission tracking
  • Multi-Store: All the features in Pro, plus the ability to manage up to twenty store locations from a single office, including multi-store reporting and inventory transfer. (Each store must purchase a separate copy of the software.)

Q: How is Point of Sale different from Intuit QuickBooks Financial software?

A: Intuit QuickBooks Financial software is small business financial software used by more than 3 million businesses. Use QuickBooks Financial software to pay bills, manage payroll, and create financial statements and reports. Use either product alone, or use the two together, transferring sales and inventory data from Point of Sale to QuickBooks Financial software for a more complete retail management solution.

Q: Do I have to use QuickBooks Financial software in order to use Point of Sale?

A: No. Point of Sale works by itself to easily and accurately track and manage your inventory, sales and customer information. It can also be used together with QuickBooks Financial software1 to create a complete retail management suite, including financial accounting.

Q: How is Point of Sale better than an electronic cash register?

A: Point of Sale quickly rings up sales, like a cash register, but also tracks complete inventory, sales and customer information to give you better control over your business. With every sale, your inventory is automatically adjusted so you always know where you stand-what's in stock, what needs reordering. At the end of the day you can quickly and easily transfers sales data into QuickBooks Accounting software, saving time and helping to reduce manual bookkeeping errors.

Q: Can I try Point of Sale before I buy it?

A: Yes! Try Point of Sale Pro right now. You can also order a free 30-day Trial version of Point of Sale software by calling a Point of Sale Advisor at (866) 379-6636. The Point of Sale Trial will allow you to try Basic, Pro and Multi-Store features to decide what features are right for your business. After using the Trial, when you're ready to buy Point of Sale, just call QuickBooks for a special code that will "unlock" your Trial into a regular unlimited copy of the software. You'll be able to continue using the same installation without having to download, install or set up anything again!

Q: What if I find it's not right for me?

A: Point of Sale software comes with a QuickBooks 60-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee. If you're not satisfied, return the product to your place of purchase or to Intuit within 60 days with a dated receipt for a full refund of your purchase price. All QuickBooks-approved retail hardware is covered by a one-year hardware manufacturer's warranty.

Q: Is Point of Sale 9.0 compatible with Microsoft's Internet Explorer 7?

A: Yes, Point of Sale 9.0 is compatible with Internet Explorer 7. If you have questions on earlier version, please see www.quickbooks.com/support/ie7.

Q: Will Point of Sale 9.0 work with Windows Vista operating system?

A: Yes, Point of Sale software versions 8.0 and higher, POS-approved hardware, and Intuit QuickBooks Point of Sale Merchant Service will run on Windows Vista. However, you may need to take some simple, additional steps when installing POS 9.0 software and hardware to ensure they run on a PC with Windows Vista. Earlier versions of Point of Sale will not run properly on Windows Vista. For more information about running Point of Sale on Windows Vista, please visit our Support Center.

Getting Started with Intuit QuickBooks Point of Sale

Q: How hard is it to get started?

A: Intuit QuickBooks Point of Sale is designed to be easy to set up; so most retailers can start using the software the same day. Use the simple Setup Interview to get started quickly and easily. Import item, vendor and customer lists from QuickBooks Financial software or Microsoft® Excel2 to save hours of manual data entry. A complete practice data file lets you train employees without changing your actual company data. In-product "Show Me" video tutorials clearly guide you and employees through the most important daily tasks. QuickBooks Point of Sale 9.0 also includes a User Guide, which leads you through the most important tasks to get you up and running. Get answers to "How do I?" questions with a complete in product Help library or download the free User's Guide at http://www.qbposv9.com/ and enter access code cZ9t#M. Support Terms and Conditions.

Q: What if I need help getting started?

A: QuickBooks Point of Sale software has many tools to help you get up and running smoothly, including:

  • In-product Learning Centers and video tutorials.
  • Quick Start Guide included with your software.
  • Download the free User's Guide at http://www.qbposv9.com/ and enter access code cZ9t#M
  • Ongoing technical support plans.
  • Certified QuickBooks Point of Sale ProAdvisors may also be available to help you get the most out of your product. Visit www.findaproadvisor.com.
  • Connect with other Point of Sale users and experts to ask questions and share advice. Go to the User Community.
  • Certified Point of Sale Retail Solution Providers - Your local retail business and technology experts can help you with any retail technology questions, and are just a few clicks away. Learn more.
  • QuickBooks Point of Sale interactive training products are also available for purchase. Learn more.

Q: Do I have to enter each customer, vendor and inventory item one-at-a-time?

A: No! You can save hours of manual data entry by importing your company information from QuickBooks Financial software or from Microsoft® Excel. Point of Sale imports data from any QuickBooks Pro or Premier Edition 2007-2010, QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 7.0-10.0, or Microsoft Excel 2000, 2002, 2003 or 2007. These applications are sold separately.

Q: Can I transfer data from the retail software I'm currently using into QuickBooks Point of Sale?

A: If you can export information from your current retail management software to either QuickBooks Accounting software or Microsoft Excel, you can then easily import it into Point of Sale. Point of Sale imports data from any QuickBooks Pro or Premier Edition 2007-2010, QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 7.0-10.0, or Microsoft Excel 2000, 2002, 2003 or 2007. These applications are sold separately.

Using Point of Sale with QuickBooks Financial software

Q: What versions of QuickBooks Financial software work with Point of Sale?

A:Point of Sale software works with any QuickBooks Pro or Premier Edition 2007-2010, and with QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 7.0-10.0. It also works well with QuickBooks Accounting: Premier Retail Edition 2009-2010 , which contains customized forms and features to help retailers track and report financial information with fewer errors. QuickBooks Financial software is sold separately.

Q: If I use Point of Sale together with QuickBooks Financial software, do my employees get access to my financial information?

A: No. You can maintain complete control over both QuickBooks Point of Sale software and QuickBooks Financial software to allow your employees to see only the information they need.

Intuit QuickBooks-Compatible Retail Hardware

Q: What's included with the Software/Hardware solutions options?

A: There are two options from which to choose: the Intuit-HP Retail Solution and the Intuit Software/Peripheral Bundle.

  • Intuit-HP Retail Solution – includes your choice of software, an HP Point of Sale System, an HP monitor, an HP USB keyboard and mouse, a cash drawer, credit card reader, receipt printer and barcode scanner.
  • Intuit Software/Peripherals Bundle – includes your choice of software paired with a cash drawer, credit card reader, receipt printer and barcode scanner.

These components are guaranteed to work together seamlessly, saving you time.3

Q: What's special about QuickBooks-Approved peripherals?

A: Finding hardware peripherals that work together with your PC is a tedious and frustrating job-many brands just aren't compatible. We've spared you the hassles by thoroughly testing the many brands of hardware available and selecting those that not only work together but also work flawlessly with QuickBooks Point of Sale. QuickBooks-Approved peripherals are your assurance of trouble-free compatibility. Plus, you can protect against business disruptions in the event of failed peripherals with our Rapid Replacement Program, a free service for customers who purchase the QuickBooks Point of Sale peripherals.

Q: What other hardware is available for Point of Sale?

A: In addition to the components included in the Intuit-HP Retail Solution and the Intuit Software/Peripherals Bundle, we offer a selection of retail hardware including a pole display, price tag printer, wireless physical inventory scanner, and PIN pad. For more information about QuickBooks-Approved retail hardware click here.

Q: Will Point of Sale work with retail hardware I already own, like my barcode scanner, receipt printer and credit card reader?

A: QuickBooks Point of Sale has been designed to work with a selection of industry-leading retail hardware. Although Point of Sale may operate with hardware sold by various manufacturers, Intuit cannot guarantee functionality or support the use of equipment not sold by Intuit. For more information about QuickBooks-Approved retail hardware click here.

Q: What if I already have Point of Sale and want retail hardware to go with it?

A: You can buy the QuickBooks-Approved retail hardware peripherals individually. They are the same devices as those included in the complete Point of Sale software/hardware bundle, so they are GUARANTEED to work with Point of Sale software. For more information about QuickBooks-Approved retail hardware click here.

Q: Can I order Point of Sale Hardware outside of the United States?

A: Due to manufacturer warranty limitations, international export and environmental regulations that may differ from country to country, we are currently unable to provide Point of Sale hardware solutions for sale or shipment outside the United States including Puerto Rico and Guam. All hardware solutions require a physical deliverable address; we are not able to ship to PO boxes. For more information about QuickBooks-Approved retail hardware click here.

Processing Credit Card and Debit Card Transactions

Q: How do I process credit cards with Point of Sale?

A: You can use Point of Sale to process credit card payments quickly and easily without a separate credit card terminal. All you need is Intuit QuickBooks Point of Sale Merchant Service. 4 Just swipe the customer's card through an optional QuickBooks-approved credit card reader and Point of Sale transmits the transaction to QuickBooks Point of Sale Merchant Service, for authorization, enters the authorization code and card number into the sales transaction, and prints out an itemized receipt for your customer to sign. Apply for QuickBooks Point of Sale Merchant Service by calling (888) 694-5230 or online.

Q: How do I process debit cards with Point of Sale?

A: It's easy. All you need is QuickBooks Point of Sale Merchant Service and an integrated PIN Debit Keypad. Apply for the service by calling (888) 694-5230 or apply online.

Q: Do I need to accept credit cards or debit cards in order to use Point of Sale?

A: Not at all. Point of Sale is a great way to manage your inventory, sales and customer information even if you don't use the integrated credit card processing.

Q: Does Point of Sale work with other merchant card services?

A: You can use any merchant services you like in conjunction with Point of Sale, but in order to obtain the required authorizations for credit card sales, you'll need to manually enter the transaction information into your credit card terminal - an extra step that can introduce errors. And you can't capture the authorization code in the sales record unless you enter it manually. QuickBooks Point of Sale Merchant Service is the only service that allows you to authorize credit card transactions directly from the actual sales record in the software. There's no need to re-enter anything, no extra steps, and it can reduce errors.

Q: What advantages do I get with QuickBooks Point of Sale Merchant Service?

A: QuickBooks Point of Sale Merchant Service integrates seamlessly with Point of Sale software to save you time and help reduce manual data entry and bookkeeping errors. With options for a low discount rate and low monthly fees, and with no monthly equipment charges, QuickBooks Point of Sale Merchant Service is another time and money-saving solution from QuickBooks. You may use another merchant service with Point of Sale, but you will have to manually enter the transaction information into your credit card terminal.

Using Multiple Copies in One Location

Q: Can I install my current copy of Point of Sale on more than one computer?

A: Yes, but your user license permits use on only one computer at a time. For example, you could install a single copy of Point of Sale on both a front register and a back office computer, but you would only be able to use one at a time. To use both at the same time you will need to purchase an additional copy of Point of Sale.

Q: How many copies of Point of Sale can I network together within one store?

A: You can connect as many as twenty copies of Point of Sale within one store and all twenty copies can share the same data. Detailed instructions for setting up a networked installation are found in the QuickBooks Point of Sale User's Guide. In a multi-user installation, every copy of Point of Sale must be the same version (ex: Version 9.0) and same level (ex: Pro), and every copy must be purchased separately.

Q: Can I use Point of Sale at my front counter and QuickBooks Accounting software in my back office?

A: Yes, many retailers do this to save hours of manually updating their books with sales and inventory information. You can transmit information from your Point of Sale application directly into your QuickBooks data file across a local area network. Detailed instructions for setting up a networked installation are found in the QuickBooks Point of Sale User's Guide. If you'd rather not set up a network, you can copy your Point of Sale data file onto a CD, portable memory device or other removable media, and load it onto the computer that houses your QuickBooks Accounting software. In this scenario, both computers would have to have QuickBooks Point of Sale installed.

Q: An outside accountant does my bookkeeping. Do they need to purchase Point of Sale, too?

A: No, your accountant does not need the sales details in QuickBooks Point of Sale - just the summary of the information that you post to your QuickBooks Accounting software. Just transfer your summarized sales information from QuickBooks Point of Sale into your QuickBooks Accounting software. Then, just as you've always done, send the QuickBooks Accounting software file to your accountant for review.

Upgrading from Basic to Pro or Multi-Store

Q: I bought Point of Sale Basic, but I've decided I'd really like to take advantage of some of the features in Pro. What can I do?

A: Every copy of Point of Sale Basic 9.0 contains the features of all 3 editions - all you have to do is unlock them. Not sure which edition you want? You can try out the Pro and Multi-Store features in Practice Mode at any time. If you decide to switch, call us. For an additional fee, we'll provide a key code. Just enter it into the software as instructed, and the features you want are available instantly - no waiting for an upgrade to arrive in the mail.

Q: I bought Point of Sale Basic, but I've decided I'd really like to take advantage of some of the features in Pro. What can I do?

A: Every copy of Point of Sale Basic 8.0 contains the features of all 3 editions - all you have to do is unlock them. Not sure which edition you want? You can try out the Pro and Multi-Store features in Practice Mode at any time. If you decide to switch, call us. For an additional fee, we'll provide a key code. Just enter it into the software as instructed, and the features you want are available instantly - no waiting for an upgrade to arrive in the mail.

Using Intuit QuickBooks Point of Sale Multi-Store to Manage Multiple Locations

Q: What do I need to buy in order to manage multiple stores with Point of Sale Multi-Store?

A: In a multi-store installation, every copy of Point of Sale must be the same version (ex: Version 9.0) and same level (Multi-Store level only), and you must purchase each copy you install. If you are using Version 1 or Version 2 of the Point of Sale software, you will need to upgrade to Version 9.0 in order to take advantage of the Multi-Store capabilities. Call (866)379-6636 to speak to a QuickBooks Point of Sale expert for more information.

Q: How many stores can I manage with Point of Sale Multi-Store?

A: Point of Sale Multi-Store 9.0 allows you to manage up to twenty store locations with a single company data file. In a multi-store installation, every copy of Point of Sale must be the same version (example: Version 9.0) and same level (Multi-Store), and you must purchase each copy you install.

How to Purchase Intuit QuickBooks Point of Sale

Q: Where can I buy QuickBooks Point of Sale?

A: QuickBooks Point of Sale can be purchased on our web site, QuickBooks.com, through our telephone sales team at (866) 379-6636, a certified Intuit Solution Provider , or at select retailers including OfficeMax, Office Depot, Best Buy, Staples, selected CompUSA and Sam's Clubs stores, amazon.com, Costco.com and any of the above retailers' web sites.

Important disclaimers, disclosures and FAQ Notes
1 Works with any QuickBooks Pro or Premier Edition (2007-2010) and QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions (7.0-10.0). Sold separately.
2 Excel integration requires Microsoft Excel 2000, 2002, 2003, or 2007. Sold separately.
3 Limited warranty - QuickBooks-Approved retail hardware comes with a one(1) year Hardware Component Manufacturers Limited Warranty, an Intuit Limited Warranty of Inter-operability and a sixty (60) Day Money Back Satisfaction Limited Warranty. See Full warranty for the full warranty and rapid replacement details.
4 Intuit QuickBooks Point of Sale Merchant Service is optional; sold separately. Application approval, fees and additional terms and conditions apply. Details available at www.payments.intuit.com/posms