The basic POS systems you may see on a typical retail establishment consists of a cash register with or without a built in cash drawer, monitor, receipt printers, and an input device. It can also be a touch screen monitors, programmable keyboards, or scanners and handheld devices for inputting data into the POS system.
Touch screens: With its flexible user interfaces and programming, many restaruant owners prefer to use touch screens. With this type of restaurant hardware, an employee can easily input orders and cancel an order within a second. It can also reduce mistypes and fasten ordering. Touch screens also uses less electricity and much easier to position on the counter table, but they can be more prone to breakdowns.
Handheld devices: Restaurant POS equipment like PDAs, which are commonly wireless devices that transmits data back to its base station and into the POS system. You can use the newer version, which is the write-on handhelds that allows you to write detail such as the orders and sends them directly to the kitchen! This type of handheld device is perfect when up-selling desserts and drinks to customers either by roaming on tables or by approaching customers in line.
POS keyboards: Most grocery stores prefer to use this type of POS systems, since they can program individual keys for specific item codes and prices. A standard keyboard consists of 101-key, which can be seen with any computer. Other have built-in magnetic stripe readers for processing credit cards, others are small and flat, like what we usually see in fast food outlets.
Scanners: A useful piece of electronic device that reads bar codes, converts and inputs its details to a POS system computer. Generally, it fastens a sales transaction as well as accurately inputs product or service payment of a customer. Scanners can be connected through Y-connectors (called wedges) that make them function as an extension of the keyboard.
Customers’ volume: For different volume of customers, using different types of scanners can be very helpful. If the counter line has several customers, your staff can easily use a CCD scanner or entry-level laser scanner. If the line is loaded with customers, then you’ll be needing the help of autosensing laser scanners. This type of scanner turns on when an item is placed in front of it, easily scan the barcode, and then turn off again. But if the counter line is overflowing with customers, you could sure use the help of an omnidirectional scanner, where it scans a bar code from any angle with its 15 or 20 lasers simultaneously!
Other Restaurant Hardware To Consider
Cash drawers: Used to store cash, checks, gift certificates and other important papers. When buying a cash drawer, look for a sturdy construction of at least 18-gauge steel, don’t just buy one because your local POS supplier tells you that it’s the latest or simply because it looks fancy. Go for the most reliable cash drawer since the usable life of cash drawers are measured, you also have to make surer that you can replace rollers, bearings, and other parts. Most cash drawers opens only when it is signaled by the POS printer.
Point of Sale printers: An addition to your restaurant POS system is a receipt printer, every retail business needs one to complete a sales transaction. A POS printer is needed in order to print a receipt and creating credit card slips. The dot matrix printers, also known as impact printers, are inexpensive and uses ink ribbon to print on regular paper. While thermal printers use heat and special heat-sensitive paper to generate receipts. It is slightly expensive than a dot matrix printer but faster and quieter when using. They are also more reliable because they have less moving parts.
Customer displays: Also called the pole display. This restaurant hardware lets your customer view their item and its price, and sometimes used to support advertising. Before buying a customer display, make sure that you check for the right height and width, which will perfectly fit your counter table, and its compatibility with your POS software.
Check readers: If you’re still thinking if you’re going to buy one, now would be the best time to say yes! This little device can help prevent fraud by verifying essential account information on cheks that are presented by your customers. It can save you money and eliminate flushing money down the drain because of fraud.
Magnetic stripe readers: This piece of hardware is used to read credit cards. You can also purchase keyboards and touch screens has a built-in magnetic strip readers for convenience.
Fingerprint ID readers: This type of POS equipment is used to limit which staff can access a POS terminal. Typically used by employees to log on to their designated stations.
Keep in mind when purchasing a restaurant POS system, hardawre or software, you have to make sure that you review their details first. No matter how expensive or cheap a POS equipment is, always consider the environment where you’re going to use it. Regular cleaning keeps your keyboards and touch screens in top shape, vacuuming dust and lubing your receipt printer can extend its life and maintaining your workstation clean can definitely help your POS stations from dust and spills. You can always request for a FREE POS system quote online where local vendors will provide you competitive price lists on any type of POS terminal your business needs.
For more information on restaurant POS systems or to have a local POS professional serving the restaurant industry in your location see more information at POS-For-Restaurants.com.
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