Order-Taking at the Counter: POS Functionality in Cetec ERP
When most people hear the term Point of Sale (POS), they picture a cash register at the front of a retail store. But for many small and mid-sized manufacturers, POS means something different — a storefront, showroom, or counter where customer orders are taken, but not always fulfilled on the spot.
For many manufacturers, selling happens at a front desk, trade counter, or showroom floor—not at a retail register. These spaces serve not as cash-and-carry points, but as order-taking environments, where sales involve configuration, production lead times, and potentially downstream service or fulfillment.
Cetec ERP supports this kind of workflow with practical tools designed for low-volume, high-variation businesses that may take in-person orders, apply prepayments, and trigger production—all from the same interface.
Point of Sale, Beyond Retail
Traditional retail POS systems are optimized for immediate fulfillment. Products are stocked on shelves, scanned, and handed over at the point of purchase. That model doesn’t match the reality for many small to mid-sized manufacturers, where orders often require downstream work: machining, assembly, custom configuration, or packaging.
Cetec ERP includes functionality that supports manufacturers who operate showroom counters or take walk-in orders. This includes:
- Order entry from any web-enabled device
- Prepayment capture via integrated credit card or ACH
- Customer-specific configuration entry at the time of order
- Real-time material and labor planning based on the order’s requirements
Rather than serving as a bolt-on front end, order entry in Cetec ERP is fully connected to inventory, production, scheduling, and accounting.
Prepayments and Credit Card Capture
When an order is entered through Cetec ERP’s sales interface, whether in person or remotely, users have the option to collect payment on the spot. The system supports:
- Manual payment entry
- Full credit card integration
- Prepayments or deposits applied directly to the order
This makes it possible for companies to use their front office or trade counter not just to record customer intent, but to begin the actual transaction and fulfillment process without switching systems.
Make to Order, Configure to Order
Many manufacturers using Cetec ERP fall into Make to Order or Configure to Order models. These businesses often handle:
- Custom builds
- Customer-specified materials or dimensions
- On-the-fly quoting and revisions
At order entry, users can include configuration details, special instructions, or selectable options that inform the downstream build. From there, the system handles costing, quoting, inventory planning, and labor assignment.
Inventory Relief and Fulfillment Timing
In some environments, especially where showroom stock is kept, inventory may be relieved at the time of sale. Cetec ERP supports this, though the workflow is distinct from a retail POS model.
Where immediate relief is required, users can initiate a pull from stock or close the order with immediate shipment. For higher-value, lower-velocity products like custom assemblies or specialty parts, it’s more typical for the order to trigger a build or allocation.
Whether the order is pulled same-day or staged for future build, the system ensures traceability and alignment with upstream material planning.
Service-Based Transactions
Cetec ERP also supports environments where the order represents service rather than a physical product. In these cases, users can enter a ‘Charge’ line item, which logs labor, applies cost, and bills the customer - without consuming inventory.
If the service involves both labor and parts, a Build order can be used instead, ensuring proper tracking of all resources.
Either method allows the company to record and manage service jobs within the same framework as production.
Capacity and Scheduling
Regardless of whether the order involves production, inventory, or service labor, the system routes it through scheduling and capacity planning.
- Build orders tie into shop calendars
- Resource availability is factored into lead times
- Service jobs block off time against designated labor codes or employees
This helps companies maintain visibility over both material and time constraints from the point of entry onward.
Summary
Order entry in Cetec ERP is designed to serve manufacturers - not retailers. For companies that take customer orders at the counter, in a showroom, or in person, the system provides a direct path from initial entry to fulfillment. Users can collect prepayments, specify configurations, trigger production, and coordinate service, all within the same interface.
This approach supports Make to Order and Configure to Order operations and accommodates both inventory and service-based workflows. Orders entered at the counter don’t just get recorded - they actively drive production and planning across the business.