Multiple locations, multiple POS terminals

A supermarket chain with many stores is an example of multiple locations, multiple POS terminals deployment architecture.  Just like the single location, multiple POS terminals architecture, there will usually be a central server that holds the common POS database used by all the POS terminals.  When a business is at this scale, it is critical that the central server is always online and available for the POS terminals to connect to.  This is when the business needs to invest on additional POS hardware and equipment to ensure the POS solution is resilient against failures.  Instead of placing the central server at one main Head Quarter location, the business may even like to consider locating the central server is a purpose built Datacentre for IT equipment.  As the central server is now in a different location, a lot of data has to be transmitted over a telco or internet connection with the POS terminal devices.  Sometimes too much data transfer can slow down the POS system.  Consider using a web based POS system built to optimise data transmissions for faster communications between central server and each POS terminal.

Many POS vendors are now hosting Web based POS servers and selling as a Cloud based POS Service that provide additional benefits to users.