In a short space of time, we have gone from using simple cash drawers to having access to a wide range of innovative features in the palm of our hands. While these systems are powerful in their own right, they can also be used in combination with a number of POS hardware accessories to provide even more services.
In this article, we talk about POS hardware accessories that can be used to simplify everyday operations and help streamline your business.
What is a Point-of-Sale (POS) system?
A POS system is a device used to facilitate payments. POS systems process transactions, taking payments securely by communicating with the customer’s bank and providing a receipt or invoice for the purchase.
These all-in-one devices come in different forms and can either be customer-facing at the countertop or handheld, allowing employees to move freely through the premises and wirelessly take payments. Due to their flexibility and the wide range of features they provide, POS systems are widely used in retail stores, restaurants, salons, and many other business settings.
What POS hardware accessories do I need for my business?
Investing in high-quality POS hardware can help your business to thrive. A POS system does more than simply take payments – it adds administrative value, helping to reduce waiting times and assist in an organisational capacity.
Your employees will benefit from POS software supported with additional hardware that is flexible and easy to use. In addition to this, your customers will be able to quickly pay in a secure manner, giving them a better overall experience of your business.
Card reader
Card readers have become hugely popular in recent years, particularly as they support contactless payments. Consumer behaviour has shifted, and it’s now expected that shops and stores will always take contactless payments. The ease of tap-to-pay has made card readers the payment method of choice, accepting credit cards, debit cards, and gift cards. A reliable card reader is now essential to small businesses, as many consumers don’t carry cash and will expect this payment processing option to always be available.
Barcode scanner
Barcode scanners have been around for some time, but they’re still as important as ever. By making the checkout process quick and easy, they hugely reduce queues and waiting times. This prevents your store from becoming crowded with impatient customers and ensures a steady flow through your business. Depending on your industry and specific business needs, there’s also the option to use a Bluetooth barcode scanner if you need to access this hardware system while on the go.
Scales
For supermarkets, food stores, butchers, or any other industries that price products according to their weight, scales are an essential Point-of-Sale hardware accessory. This feature can be integrated to work seamlessly with your payment device and is easy to use, allowing you to weigh products and take transactions quickly and accurately.
Customer-facing display
A customer-facing display is a highly useful piece of POS hardware that shows the customer all the information they need to see about their transaction. These displays increase trust with customers by providing them with complete transparency of their purchases through the POS terminal.
It also improves the checkout process by building customer engagement, which frees up your employees to help with other areas of the business. Customer-facing displays also help to reduce the number of returns because they allow customers to monitor their transactions and gives them real-time control over their purchases.
Receipt printer
In general, paper-based receipts have become less popular, with digital receipts being sent through email or SMS rising as the preferred method. However, there will always be customers who prefer a physical receipt. For this reason, it’s important to have that option available so it can be used when necessary. A receipt printer can be seamlessly integrated into your POS system, whether it’s a portable debit or credit card reader or a customer-facing display.
Get started with your POS hardware accessories
POS hardware is essential for getting the most out of your POS system. Increasing functionality can help your business to cater to a greater number of customers and provide a smoother overall service. It will also increase efficiency with your operations and allow your employees to spend less time on menial tasks that could otherwise be performed by your POS system.
To learn more about POS hardware accessories and how they can be implemented into your business, contact our friendly team today.
