POS Maid

Small shops that want a till system with the back office attached can look at POS Maid, a Windows-based point of sale program from Alexandria Computers. It deals with sales and the work around them, such as inventory, employees, customers and cash drawers.

Bundled accounting, time clock and payroll

The company says its programs include accounting, time clock and payroll components as part of the same product, rather than as separate purchases, which it says many competitors do not do. It argues these belong in any point of sale package.

For retail, restaurants and salons

Besides the retail version, Alexandria offers specialized editions for restaurants and bars and for salons, where scheduling and commissions would otherwise take up time. Each is presented as a complete solution for its type of business, aimed at ending piles of paperwork, handwritten orders and commission calculations done by hand.

Hardware and international use

The software is compatible with most point of sale hardware on the market. Alexandria says it supports different tax formats and currencies, which is why it describes the product as a global solution with satisfied users in many countries.

Learning material and support

An easy-to-use interface is backed by video tutorials and a knowledge base. Older descriptions called it free software with free support and updates, while the current site describes a one-time payment per business with no monthly fees or subscriptions, and support, updates and tutorials included. The company says it has been in the point of sale software business for many years and develops complete solutions for several industries.

One program, several trades

The retail, fast food and beauty salon editions share the same approach, and the company points to the bundled extra modules as the way it keeps a complete system within reach of small businesses.