Testing Retail Point of Sale (POS) Systems

What is POS (Point of Sale) and its testing?

A point of sale, sometimes known as a POS, is a facility where transactions take place. POS systems can be found in retail stores, restaurants, hospitals, and practically anywhere else that accepts payments these days.

Although most of you are familiar with what a barcode scanner or a wireless payment device (the most commonly used device for payment transactions) is, POS actually entails a large number of components, each of which must be well integrated in order for the system to function properly.

The term "POS Testing" refers to the evaluation of a point-of-sale application.

The system is more complicated than you might imagine, and it's tightly integrated with other software systems such as warehouse, inventory, purchase orders, supply chain, marketing, and merchandise planning, among others. Testing necessitates POS Domain Knowledge.

What Sets POS Testing Apart

What Sets POS Testing Apart: It's intriguing since you get the feeling of sitting in a store and doing your test cases, because POS requires the same setup as any store.

This distinguishes it from sitting in your cubicle and running some tests in a web app. Separate labs are maintained by companies that deal with POS system testing.

What are the difficulties with POS testing?

  • Multiple configurations based on store requirements - Let's say a retail chain wishes to conduct a promotional offer just in one city; in that case, special configurations for POS systems in that location are required.

  • POS involves a complete configuration of all devices, as well as numerous types of hardware and software versions.

  • Because POS tests deal with end-user card details, many devices require compatibility testing as well as rigorous integration testing that is PCI compliant.

The architecture of the Point of Sale

A file server is connected to each terminal in a store. The major setups or settings are done on the server and then pushed to each of the store's terminals. Such modifications are carried out using XML or batch tasks.

None of the adjustments are made locally in large retail stores or chains of outlets. Because POS systems accept card payments, they are linked to third-party providers who specialize in credit card processing. As a result, whenever a credit card transaction occurs, data is transferred to the third-party provider or bank for authorization.

Physical Components of POS Systems and How to Test Them

Terminal

The terminal is the main screen where the transaction information is entered. The majority of these are touchscreen devices. All configurations are delivered to the terminal, including Product List, Pricing, Promotional Offers, and Payment Modes. At any POS, this is the primary device.

  • Validation is required for Terminal Testing to check that the devices are connected to the network and that they are running the most recent OS in order to support the POS software.

Display Pole

A display pole is a device that shows the price of an item once it has been scanned using a barcode scanner.

  • Check that the price on the display pole matches the price on the POS terminal.

Barcode Reader

A barcode reader is used to scan products. Following the scan, a backend check is executed to see if the item is in the inventory list and to redeem the item pricing. When an item sells, the inventory is updated to reduce the number of units available.

  • Validation can be done for testing purposes by scanning a product that is missing from the inventory list

  • Validate by scanning products that are available in the inventory list but are not price tagged

  • Validate by scanning products that are available in the inventory list but are properly tagged to a price level

Cash Register

A cash register is a device that stores money. When a consumer makes a cash purchase, the cash register opens quickly, allowing cashiers to take the cash and, if necessary, return the remaining amount.

  • Selecting Cash as the payment mechanism and performing a cash transaction with a refund amount can be used to test the Cash Register.

Handheld Device

Handheld gadgets take credit card payments via wireless technology. These make it simple to obtain user authentication by bringing the device right to the end-user, where they may enter their card pin.

  • You can test by initiating a transaction and selecting a Card as the mode of payment.

  • The manual amount entered should be verified.

Printer

Register printers are printers that are attached to each of the terminals and are used to generate receipts after each transaction.

  • Testers can check for alignment, text overwrites, text size, fonts, and other issues with receipt printing.

  • The Error Handling Case can be verified, for example, what happens if the print is sent when the printer is not ready or out of paper.

  • When the printer goes down or loses connection in the middle of a transaction, double-check the resul.

Magnetic Swipe Reader (MSR)

MSRs are used to swipe payment cards such as debit, credit, and gift cards. This is typically utilized in retail establishments or restaurants, but in today's world, when a user is required to key in a PIN for payment, you'll see a wireless gadget used in many places to collect card payments.

  • MSRs are used to check the balance, the expiration date, and to pay for Gift Cards. Guests are provided printed receipts as authorization. These cases should be validated by testers.

Retail Point-of-Sale (POS) Test Cases

Test Scenario
Test Cases
Cashier activity

  • Check that the items purchased by a consumer are entered correctly.

  • Discounts for testing are applied correctly.

  • Check to see if store value cards can be used.

  • Verify that petty cash management is functioning properly.

  • Verify that the totals and closings are correct.

  • Ensure that cash drawer loans are handled correctly.

  • Examine whether the POS system is compatible with peripherals such as an RFID reader or a barcode scanner.

Payment Gateway Processing

  • Validate the CVV number on your credit card.

  • Test card swiping on both sides and chip swiping.

  • Check to see if the card details you've acquired have been correctly encrypted and decoded.

Sales

  • Look for a standard sale procedure.

  • Debit/credit cards can be used to process check sales.

  • Look into purchasing a loyalty membership.

  • Verify that the right pricing for the items you purchased are listed.

  • Check for a transaction with a value of "0" or "null."

  • Vendors should be linked to UPC or barcodes.

  • In the payment manager, check for billing or shipping information.

  • Perform a reference transaction test.

  • Experiment with the receipt's print format.

  • Check that the correct code is created for transactions that have been accepted, held, or denied.

Return & Exchange scenarios

  • Check to see if your in-house inventory is well-integrated with other outlets or the supply chain.

  • Check if an item may be exchanged or returned for a cash refund.

  • Check to see if the system responds to a credit card exchange or refund.

  • The check system will either process the sale with or without a receipt.

  • Check that the system allows you to manually enter barcodes if the scanner fails.

  • Check that the system displays both the current amount and the discount amount on an item exchange, if appropriate. e

Performance

  • Check the response time or time it takes to send a request.

  • Check if transaction-based rules (discounts, taxes, rebates, etc.) apply.

  • Check that the correct code is created for transactions that have been accepted, held, or denied.

Negative Scenarios

  • Expired card details were used to test the system.

  • Use a credit card with an invalid PIN as a test.

  • Enter an erroneous code for the item to check the inventory.

  • Examine how a system reacts when an erroneous invoice number is entered.

  • Look for a deal that isn't positive.

  • Test the system's response by inputting an invalid date for promotional offers on the internet.

Managing Promotions and Discounts

  • Test the system for different discounts, such as veteran discounts, holiday discounts, under- or over-mortgage discounts, and so on.

  • System for evaluating numerous promotional offers on certain line items.

  • Test a system that reminds you of the end or start of seasonal deals.

  • Check whether the exact discount or leveraged offers are printed on the receipt.

  • Test system for allocating incorrect offers or online discount items

  • Put the order management system to the test.

  • Check that the information obtained from a barcode scan is correct.

Tracking customer's data

  • Test the system's responsiveness by entering erroneous client data.

  • Test system for granting authorised access to personal data of customers

  • Test the database's ability to track a customer's purchasing history, such as (what they buy, how frequent they buy, etc.)

Security & Regulatory Compliance

  • Checking the POS system for regulatory compliance

  • Security defenders are notified by a test alert system.

  • Before you post a payment, double-check that you may cancel it.

  • On the POS Software, test user profiles and access levels.

  • Validate the database's consistency.

  • Check particular information about each tender, such as cash, coupon identification, and check number

Report testing

  • A trend analysis report is put to the test

  • Credit card transaction test information should be reflected in reports.

  • Individual and consolidated reports of a customer's purchasing history are tested.

  • Test for the creation of online reports

Updated on: 19-Aug-2021

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