My comments are primarily based on working for a supermarket chain with over 2000 stores and about 30,000 POS terminals. Subsequently, I've worked with some sm

My comments are primarily based on working for a supermarket chain with over 2000 stores and about 30,000 POS terminals. Subsequently, I've worked with some smaller retailers. First of all, managers and business owners buy these systems. But they don't actually use them. They will sooner listen to the sales guy's pitch than the bitching from the employees. When you pay customer service staff the minimum wage that shows that you don't value them and as a boss, certainly know more than they could possibly know. I think you comments are based on 2nd generation systems, i.e. ones that are more or less a PC with cash drawer and receipt printer attached. The big manufacturers have cornered the market by claiming that "only they are big enough to take care of your business." Typically the cost of customisation is so high that POS screens, functions are not updated as business changes. The 3rd generation systems, based on iPads and other tablets are shaking up some segments. Of course, the struggle against the above two biases. In case your wondering, 1st gen was stand-alone cash registers, whether mechanical or electronic. In any large business, e.g. a chain, the POS integrates with the ERP systems to optimise the supply chain and distribution functions. This integration, alone, snookers many smaller, newer entrants. Of course, I think you have hit the nail on the head, it is CRUD, unglamorous and once you confront the customisation and integration issues, a lot of hard work. As Paul Graham would suggest, the hallmarks of a niche to profit from.