Have you ever found yourself behind a register at The Home Depot, wondering what kind of POS system can handle the chaos of lumber, paint, and power tools?
Wonder no longer — In this post, you’ll get a full breakdown of what POS system Home Depot uses, how it works, what’s great, and what’s tricky. Then we’ll show why KORONA POS might be a smarter fit for many retailers. Let’s get to it.
Key Takeaways:
- Home Depot runs on a hybrid Oracle-based POS with NCR and Fujitsu hardware — powerful but complex to maintain.
- Its real-time inventory and mobile checkout tools fit big-box needs, not smaller retailers.
- KORONA POS delivers the same efficiency without the cost, bulk, or legacy tech.
What POS System Does Home Depot Use?
Home Depot’s point-of-sale (POS) system is built on a complex architecture combining software and hardware from multiple providers. The core platform comes from 360 Commerce (now part of Oracle Corporation), which manages sales transactions, inventory tracking, and store-wide data integration. Physical POS hardware—including registers, receipt printers, and barcode scanners—is supplied by NCR Corporation and Fujitsu Limited.
In addition, Home Depot has implemented a mobile POS program called “FIRST,” which equips employees with handheld devices from Zebra Technologies. These devices allow staff to look up inventory, check prices, and complete transactions anywhere on the sales floor, improving customer service and operational efficiency.
Sources: Roger’s Electric, Reddit, Orga Systems
Overview of the Home Depot POS System
At its core, Home Depot’s POS system must handle thousands of stores, millions of SKUs, and both online and in-store workflows. Home Depot uses standard register machines from NCR and Fujitsu for regular checkout lanes, while self-checkout kiosks run on the same system to keep lines moving faster.
Mobile POS devices give associates the flexibility to assist customers on the floor, scan inventory, and process payments away from fixed lanes—reducing wait times and enhancing service.
Behind the scenes, Home Depot moved key operations like Systems, Applications, and Products in Data Processing (SAP) to Google Cloud to track sales, sync online and in-store operations, and handle growth more easily.
Note:
SAP is the software Home Depot uses to keep everything connected — from sales and inventory to payroll and supply chains — so their stores, warehouses, and online shop all run smoothly together.
Features & Benefits of the Home Depot POS System
Home Depot’s POS system is packed with features that speed up checkout, track inventory, and keep operations running smoothly. Let’s get specific on what exactly those features are:
Key Feature #1 — Real-Time Inventory & Checkout
Their POS updates inventory instantly across channels so when a product leaves the shelf or sells online, it reflects in the system. That means fewer stock surprises and better accuracy.
Key Feature #2 — Mobile Checkout & Associate Devices
With Zebra handheld devices and the FIRST program, associates can check out a customer or help with inventory lookup anywhere in the store instead of waiting at a static register.
Key Feature #3 — Self-Checkout Kiosks
Using NCR kiosks with Fujitsu software, Home Depot offers self-service lanes that reduce wait time and free up associates for higher-value tasks.
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Key Feature #4 — Omnichannel Integration
The POS connects to online channels, allowing customers to buy online and pick up in store (BOPIS), or return items purchased online in store—all feeding into the same system.
Key Feature #5 — Security & Activation Controls (POSA)
They’ve implemented a “Point-of-Sale Activation” (POSA) security system using Bluetooth tags for certain high-theft items: until scanned at checkout, they won’t work.
Key Feature #6 — Data & Analytics On Demand
By migrating major systems to the cloud and implementing analytics tools like BigQuery, Home Depot can analyze performance, forecast demand, and tune operations across its network.
Key Feature #7 — Customization & Scale
Because of the mix of vendors and tailored solutions (360 Commerce, NCR, Fujitsu, etc.), their system is deeply customized for large-scale retail—not a solution merchants can find off-the-shelf.
Challenges and Limitations of Home Depot’s POS System
Even a powerhouse like Home Depot faces hiccups — its POS system has some challenges and limitations that can slow things down or complicate operations.
Challenge #1 — Complexity and Legacy Layers
The system is complex to maintain and upgrade with multiple vendors, hardware platforms, and decades of builds. That level of complexity can slow rollout of new features or introduce bugs.
Challenge #2 — Performance/Usability Issues
Front-line employees report frequent delays and system malfunctions:
“The job name is so aggravating… standing awkwardly while they stare at me, card in hand, and I stare at the screen waiting for it to load.” (Reddit)
This suggests even large systems stumble with responsiveness.
Challenge #3 — High Cost & Resource Intensity
Enterprise-scale systems like this require significant IT resources, customization, and cost, making them challenging for smaller retailers to replicate or maintain.
Challenge #4 — Keeping Up with Innovation Pace
Retail tech moves fast (cloud, mobile wallets, self-checkout innovations), and scaling new capabilities across thousands of stores is challenging—even for Home Depot.
Best Alternative to Home Depot’s POS System: KORONA POS
If the Home Depot setup sounds like overkill for your business, KORONA offers a leaner, modern POS alternative built for smaller operations requiring ease of implementation and use, retail-savvy features, and fewer headaches.
Key features
- Standout Feature #1: Cloud-connected inventory and multistore management — gives real-time visibility across locations without heavy legacy infrastructure.
- Standout Feature #2: Built-in mobile POS and self-checkout modules — get mobile floor checkout and DIY kiosk options without paying enterprise scale.
- Standout Feature #3: Simplified onboarding and interface — designed for retail teams, not IT armies, so your staff can start selling quickly.
Pricing
KORONA POS Pricing
Core
$59/mo
- Full customer support
- Unlimited users
- KPI reports
Retail
$59/mo
- Everything in Core
- Inventory management
- Multistore ready
Enterprise
$59/mo
Customized for large stores or chains with advanced needs.
Where KORONA POS shines
- Easy to grow with: Handles multiple locations and lots of SKUs without the headache of heavy legacy systems.
- Built for busy floors: Cloud-based, mobile-friendly, and fast enough to keep long checkout lines moving.
- Made for store staff: Intuitive interface and workflows that work for cashiers and stock clerks, not IT teams.
- Processor agnostic: With KORONA, you’re not locked into a payment processor, meaning you can choose the retail payment solution that suits your budget and needs.
Where KORONA POS falls short
- Deep customization limits: Huge chains with complex systems might need extra setup.
- Hardware setup: Stores using old registers or specialized checkout equipment may need new devices.
- Specialty stores: Highly niche products or unusual workflows might require add-ons or tweaks.
Customer reviews
In general, at KORONA, consensus among our customers is: strong speed, good support, and good value for mid-size retail. Here’s what a user on G2 notes:
KORONA POS is very user-friendly. You can customize the interface to conform to your business needs. Their customer service is in the United States, always accessible, and always awesome. We love that we can use it to help our business scale.
-Darlene P.
Who KORONA POS is best for
- Hardware store chains: Multiple locations needing clear inventory visibility and consistent checkout across stores.
- Growing independent stores: One or a few locations ready to upgrade from basic cash registers to modern POS tools.
- Budget-conscious operators: Want enterprise-style features like mobile checkout and inventory tracking without the high cost.
Ready to Streamline Your Business Operations? Try KORONA POS Now!
If you’re running a store and your current POS feels clunky, slow, or disconnected, you deserve something built for retail at your scale. Home Depot’s POS system is powerful—but it’s built for thousands of stores, decades of legacy, and massive IT investment.
For many retailers, the smarter move is something purpose-built, modern, and retail-friendly. KORONA POS offers just that: fast setup, real-time visibility, customer relationship management, mobile and self-checkout options—and none of the heavyweight headaches. When it’s time to choose a POS, you know who to call.
Speak with a product specialist to learn exactly what you need and how we can help.
