1. Exorbitant Upfront Costs
Legacy software incurs a number of high upfront costs due to most business models being based on purchasing the software for a lump sum, and then installing it on a costly local server.
You also need to consider setup and installation fees, as well as the cost of necessary compatible hardware (work station, scanner, receipt printer, etc) which can also get quite expensive.
To get your hands on the very best of these systems, you will probably have to pay thousands of dollars, and this usually incurs a large risk as the system you are buying may not even meet your POS needs.
2. Paid Updates & Maintenance
A traditional or legacy POS system has to be updated on your business premises since it is locally installed. Sometimes you can do this yourself, but oftentimes, you have to hire an expert to get the job done.
Obviously, that is also bound to be a significant expense on your part, especially considering that these updates have to be done on a regular basis.
Sometimes, the system might need to be re-installed, and that can be just as expensive as getting a new system installed. And, unless you are a developer and know how servers work, if your server crashes in the middle of a transaction, you may also lose out on sales.
3. Paid Support
Again, whenever your legacy POS system breaks down, you have to call in an expert to have a look at it. Besides the fact that this might not be the most time-efficient way to get support for your POS system, it also costs a lot of money.
For complex systems or systems with too many usability issues, the cost of support services can become pretty high. If on-premise support is required, this may take hours or days to take place, and therefore slow your business down.
4. Expensive Hardware
With a traditional POS system, you have to buy hardware such as on-site servers since the system is locally installed.
These additional hardware resources are often quite an investment as well, especially when you consider that you might have to hire an IT expert to ensure that the system runs smoothly by fixing any minor issues that might pop up from time to time.
In some cases, you might need to use proprietary hardware in order to enjoy the full benefits these systems have to offer. As you can imagine, special hardware is never cheap, and the costs can be staggering when you have to get the system installed in many business locations.
5. Higher Data Loss Risks
Legacy software presents a number of high data loss risks. Since your data is on a local server, installed in your store, you run the risk of losing all of your data if there is a natural catastrophe like a fire or a flood.
Also, with the speed at which technology is changing, new security risks are popping up every day. If your legacy software is not up to date, it will also present a number of security risks.