Go to Buyer's Guide for:
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Barcode Scanners |
Card Readers|
Cash Drawers |
Handheld Devices |
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Keyboards |
Pole Displays |
Receipt Printers |
Touch Screens |
Barcode Scanners:
Scanners read a bar code and send the resulting numbers back to your POS system computer, improving speed and accuracy during checkout. They typically connect to the system through USB ports or Y-connectors called keyboard wedges that make them function as an extension of the keyboard.
Choose a scanner based on your average customer volume at checkout:
- Several customers: If you do not usually have more than a customer or two in line, CCD or entry-level scanners should meet your needs. Inexpensive scanners based on charged-couple device (CCD) technology have a short range, meaning that scanned items need to be 1 to 3 inches from the scanner. Laser or mid-level scanners, which use a beam of light to read bar codes, offer better scanning ability with the ability to scan at longer distances.
- High-volume businesses: Very high volume businesses should investigate omnidirectional scanners and embedded scanners. Omnidirectional scanners send out 15 or 20 lasers simultaneously, letting you scan a bar code from any angle. In-counter Barcode scanners, popular in supermarkets, are omnidirectional scanners installed below a counter.
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Card Readers:
POS software processes credit cards, but you'll still need a
Card Readers to read the credit cards. Keyboards and touch screens often have built-in readers. If your input device does not, you'll need to purchase a standalone magnetic stripe reader.
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Cash Drawers:
Cash drawers store cash, credit card slips, gift certificates, exchange receipts, and any other important paperwork. They frequently serve as a shelf for a display or other heavy pieces of equipment. In most cash drawers, the signal to open the drawer comes from the receipt printer using a cable.
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Handheld Devices:
Handheld terminals or portable data collection terminals are designed for daily use in applications such as inventory/stock control, shipping/receiving, and more.
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Keyboards:
Grocery stores often prefer programmable
POS keyboards that allow you to program individual keys for specific item codes and prices. Some POS keyboard models are standard 101-key models that you find with any computer. Others are smaller, more POS-specific devices, such as the flat-panel membrane keyboards common in fast food outlets.
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Pole Displays:
Pole displays, also known as customer displays, show item and price information to the customer and some support advertising. Compare size and display appearance and make sure your software is compatible with the display's emulation.
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Receipt Printers:
Every POS system needs a printer to create credit card slips and receipts for customers. Many restaurants also use POS printers to send orders to kitchen and bar staff. You'll find
dot matrix printers and
thermal printers. Inexpensive dot matrix printers, also known as impact printers, use pins and an ink ribbon to print on regular paper. They are better suited for kitchens where ambient temperature can prevent thermal printers from working effectively.
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Touch Screens:
Many users find
touch screensmore intuitive to use than keyboards and touch screens provide flexible user interfaces and programming. Most touch screens are sleek flat-panel LCDs, which cost slightly more than traditional monitors, but last longer, use less electricity, and take up less space.
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