Point of sale Hardware

Every Point of sale system has some pos peripherals. Some of the mandatory peripherals includes computer system, receipt printer, cash drawer, barcode scanners, and customer pole display. Computer terminals with operating systems like Windows or Linux are essential to map the software into Windows or Java and to integrate it with the peripheral devices. Receipt printers for retail outlets and hotels come with cash drawer ports and both the printers and the cash drawers share a single port with the PC, leaving other PC ports free for other peripherals of the POS system.

Barcode scanners read product information from the price tag or barcode of the products and feed the information into the computer, which then processes it and prints it. The scanners and readers are usually wedges in point-of-sale keyboards, USB port or serial port of the computer.
Docket printer could be dot matrix or impact printers or thermal docket printers. Dot matrix printers are slow but economical and uses bond paper and ink ribbon for printing, whereas thermal printer only need thermal paper roll and it prints with heat (Similar to old fax machines). Thermal printing fades after few months, whereas docket printed by impact printer will remain for longer duration

Barcode scanner could be a handheld scanner or desktop (Bench) scanner or a cordless scanner. Handheld scanner also comes with intellistand whereas users do not have to press the trigger if scanner gun is kept on the stand. When any item with barcode is passed in front of the scanner, it sends the light to the barcode and scans or read the items barcode.

There are CCD scanner and Laser scanner. CCD scanners more economical than laser scanner. With CCD scanner you will have to bring the barcode very close to scanner, whereas laser scanner can read the barcode from a distance of 5-10 cm.

The entire business will run much more smoothly, as the entire system is amalgamated with inventory management System. As a result customers need not wait in long queues at cash counter.

Now it is quite clear that both customers and retailers get benefits from POS systems. Retailers can provide improved and quick service to the customers, manage the inventory efficiently and run their retail business very smoothly. While selecting a POS system, it is advisable to consult an expert POS vendor who can suggest you the best POS system which suites your requirement and, helps you to run your retail business efficiently.

There are some POS vendors who offer you a complete solution i.e. Pos hardware, software, and support for installation etc. It suggested that you buy your hardware thru POS vendor rather than your computer company. Reason for this is that not all the computer companies know this specialized industry. POS equipment also need special configuration to go with your computer. If you do not know sometimes you can waste hours of time trying to configure yourself.

Some of the known POS peripheral manufacturers are IBM, NCR, Javelin, Posiflex, Motorola, Metrologic, Datalogic, and HHP etc.