A point-of-sale system is often introduced as a faster way to take payment. That description is now too small. For many retailers, restaurants, salons, and service businesses, the POS is the place where sales data, inventory, staff activity, customer behaviour, and cash movement meet. Used well, it can improve cash flow long before the accountant sees the month-end numbers. Faster Settlement Is Only One Part of the Story Receiving card revenue quickly helps, especially for businesses that purchase inventory or pay staff frequently. But settlement speed should be viewed alongside chargebacks, refunds, holds, and fees. A merchant may prefer a…
Author: Stuart Himmel
Public policy has always relied on information, but governments can now collect, connect, and analyze data at unprecedented speed. Across Canada, artificial intelligence and advanced analytics are helping public institutions forecast demand, identify patterns, evaluate programs, and allocate resources. Decisions can become faster, more targeted, and more responsive. Yet an essential question remains: does better prediction automatically produce better policy? Moving Beyond Political Instinct Governments frequently make choices under pressure, with limited time and competing demands. Analytics can reveal where needs are greatest and which interventions are working. Health agencies can study service usage, transportation planners can examine travel patterns,…
