POS Hardware Basics

When researching a new retail point of sale system, make sure to consider your retail software and point of sale hardware needs together. The retail software you choose to run your business may not be compatible with the point of sale hardware you have or want. Not all scanners, weight scales, card readers, etc. will work with every retail software package.

Talk to technology vendors about the best point of sale hardware solution for your retail business. Or, visit a retail trade show in your area to see retail software and point of sale hardware solutions in action.

POS Hardware Components

Below are the hardware components of a retail POS system along with a variety of options to consider for your business.

	All-In-One Workstations All-in-one workstations are designed to meet all of your "cash register" needs, yet provide the benefits, expandability, and flexibility of standard PC technology. Eliminate configuration issues with an easy-to-setup workstation that comes complete with pre-configured peripherals devices Small countertop footprint If spills and dirt are a concern, choose a workstation that's built to withstand harsh retail environments
	Back Office Servers Back office servers provide a powerful and flexible platform on which retailers can run their retail software and other business applications. High performance servers will run your retail software, accounting package, and other business applications Many back office servers are flexible enough to double as site controllers or point of sale workstations Choose a hard drive with on-board RAID support for the most secure day-to-day backups and disaster recovery
	Barcode Scanners Barcode scanners allow high-speed, accurate input of inventory items. Reduce errors during checkout Hands-free barcode scanning maximizes efficiency Read different types of barcodes, such as UPC, Code 39, Zip+4 Postnet, EAN/JAN-13, etc. Scan all types of barcoded information, including order numbers, employee ID cards, or customer loyalty cards
	Cash Drawers Cash drawers can be connected directly to your retail POS system's serial or parallel ports, or through a point of sale printer with cash-drawer kickout ports. Choose the drawer size and number of coin and bill slots Printer-fired or POS-fired models available If theft is a concern, choose retail software with a 'compulsory close' feature to help prevent clerks from leaving a cash drawer open longer than necessary
	Check Readers (MICRs) Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) devices scan the magnetically encoded routing numbers, bank accounts, and check numbers that appear along the bottom of standard personal or business checks. MICR readers can be standalone devices or combined with a receipt printer or an MSR Standalone MICRs are either serial devices or "keyboard wedge" devices, which means they are connected through your keyboard
	Graphical Customer Displays Graphics, video, and logos drive up-selling, product promotions, and special offers during every sale. Increase sales with eye-catching point-of-purchase advertising Sell advertising spots to vendors for an additional revenue stream Display every line item on a ticket to reduce errors, increase speed of service, and curtail theft Pole-mount or integrated POS-mount eliminates bulky add-on hardware
	Handheld Data Collection Devices Handheld PDTs (Portable Data Terminals) are portable barcode scanners used to gather item information which can be imported into your retail software. Increase speed and efficiency during physical count Quickly count merchandise during receivings and store-to-store transfers
	Keyboards Whether or not you're using touchscreen monitors, you may also desire a keyboard for data input. If counterspace is a concern, choose a compact keyboard design Keyboards with built-in touchpads eliminate the need for a mouse Choose a programmable keyboard if you want to perform tasks such as selling a group of commonly sold items with a single key press
	Kiosks Self-service kiosks are ideal for use in museums, zoos, gift shops, and other high volume customer-controlled environments. Available for indoor and outdoor applications Built to withstand the challenges of weather, high transaction volume, continuous operation, and contaminants such as food, grease, and dirt Touchscreen interface
	Label Printers Print labels for items, customers, and vendors, along with shipping labels, file folder labels, or many other types of labels. Print butterfly labels, split labels, and hang tags Thermal label printers use heat-sensitive label stock to produce durable, fade-resistant labels
	Monitors Standard or touchscreen monitors can be used with most retail software packages. Choose touchscreen monitors as an alternative to mouse or keyboard input User-friendly touchscreen monitors can reduce employee training time For outdoor applications, choose the brightest monitor available
	Mounting Brackets When space is a premium, retail POS systems can be mounted on walls to maximize counterspace. Maximum flexibility Mount to poles, walls, or other locations
	MSRs Magnetic Stripe Readers (MSRs) read credit cards, debit cards, gift cards, customer loyalty cards, and employee ID cards. MSRs can be stand alone or integrated with the POS terminal or keyboard Choose a retail software package with Internet gateway processing for the fastest credit card authorizations
	PIN Pads PIN (Personal Identification Number) Pads are required for debit card processing. Use for ATM-type debit card and Visa/MasterCard check/debit cards Use for EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) food stamps PIN pads must meet the DUKPT encryption standards
	Pole Displays Pole displays allow customers to view information while checking out. Pole displays commonly display change due, sale amounts, item descriptions, and prices Increase ticket accuracy and maximize customer satisfaction
	Receipt Printers Print customer receipts with a compact receipt printer, or choose a standard printer for full-size invoices, purchase orders, reports, and other documents. To save valuable time during checkout, choose a receipt printer that offers easy, drop-in paper loading For truly customized receipts, choose a receipt printer that can print multiple colors and allows you to print your logo and website on the receipt Kiosk and wireless printing solutions are available
	Signature Capture Devices Electronically capture the customer's signature. Useful for processing credit cards, A/R charge payments, and other transactions that require signature verification Configure your retail software to capture the customer's signature before or after printing the sales draft
	Tablet PCs Lightweight, handheld tablet PCs are used for line-busting and mobile applications. Speed up long checkout lines and provide more efficient customer service Ideal for outdoor and large-lot applications For a completely portable retail POS system, choose a tablet PC that offers mobile printing and payment options
	Time Clocks Time clocks eliminate costly mistakes caused by manual time tracking. Secure clock-in/clock-out Enter employee information using key pad, barcode scanning, or MSR (magnetic stripe reader) Wall-mount
	Weight Scales Obtain weights from a serial scale and transmit them to your point of sale software. Optionally subtract the weight of the container—known as the tare weight—from the total weight of the item If you use random weight barcodes for meats, cheeses, nails, etc., choose a retail software package that can scan random weight barcodes and automatically calculate the quantity (i.e., weight) and extended price of the item