A POS system’s hardware should work seamlessly with other components. As a reseller, choosing the right hardware for your customers’ POS systems can be challenging. From technical specifications to compatibility requirements, there are a lot of factors that affect your decision.
You’ll need to learn the key factors you should consider when choosing POS hardware for your customers. If you’re a POS dealer, continue reading to learn more.
Daily Operations
Caption: A dual-screen Android POS system built by Bimi [Image: Bimi]
A business’s POS system, including the hardware, is designed to support its daily operations. As a POS system reseller, you’ll need to understand your market’s business needs.
While you may not see components such as the RAM, SSD, and motherboard, these contribute to the device’s performance. Some manufacturers offer expandable RAM and SSD options, which is a good choice for a business’s scalability.
Hardware with higher specifications enables a POS system to keep up with demanding processes without slowing down. This advanced hardware is also ideal for businesses with multiple locations and demanding daily operations.
A POS system’s touchscreen display or monitor should also support a business’s needs. Dual-screen displays enable customers to view their transaction details. This is a good choice for retail or supermarket businesses. Moreover, capacitive touchscreens are easier to navigate compared to monitors that require a keypad and mouse.
POS System Setup
A business’s floor area also affects its POS system. When a store has more available space, the POS system can have more peripherals and accessories. There are many peripherals your customers can choose from, including:
- Receipt printer
- Cash drawer
- Barcode scanner
- Card reader
- Card swiper
- Magnetic stripe reader (MSR)
- Stands or mounts
- Keypad
- RFID scanner
- Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) module
For example, a supermarket POS system usually includes a barcode scanner, card reader, cash drawer, and receipt printer. Meanwhile, a minimal setup with an Android device is ideal for a small business’s POS system.
Product Design and Ownership
Caption: An example of an exclusive POS system mold from Bimi [Image: Bimi POS-0079]
Your selection of POS hardware enables you to distinguish yourself from your competitors. You can do this through an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or an Original Design Manufacturer (ODM).
| OEM | ODM |
|
|
If you want to fully customize your POS hardware, choose an OEM. Aside from tailoring the product to your market, it is also your intellectual property.
Through OEM, you can have built-in receipt printers or barcode scanners in your POS devices. However, this typically takes more time and costs more than ODM. Consider OEM if your market is saturated with very similar POS hardware.
On the other hand, ODM has a faster turnaround time and lower costs than OEM. However, it provides less product differentiation between you and your competitors. Your customization options may be limited to the product’s appearance and packaging. In choosing between OEM and ODM, you’ll need to evaluate if differentiation or faster production is more important.
Production Capacity
After you’ve chosen either an OEM or ODM, you’ll need to know the manufacturer’s production capacity. This will help you strategically plan your customers’ orders. To find out if a company’s production capacity is a good fit for you, ask questions such as:
- What is the average lead time before I receive my order?
- What was your actual output for the past 6 months?
- Is the production capacity the same for all the POS hardware you produce?
In addition to scheduling, this will also help you determine if you have enough space to store your orders. By planning your inventory, you can also maximize the amount of POS hardware you have on hand.
If you want to get samples from a manufacturer, ask what the Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) is. These samples will help you inspect and compare products from different manufacturers.
Compatibility
Caption: A 15.6” POS machine with a built-in printer created by Bimi [Image: Bimi POS-0099]
POS hardware should be compatible with the systems and devices it is attached to. Before you order your hardware, the product should be compatible with:
- POS device (tablet, monitor, smartphone)
- Operating system of the POS device
- Other software connected to the system
A POS system’s hardware also depends on its software and operating system. Android POS and Windows POS systems are the most popular options. However, you’ll need to use different hardware depending on the operating system. Some POS system manufacturers provide limited options for the compatible hardware and peripherals.
Similarly, you’ll need to check if the hardware is compatible with a customer’s preferred POS software. Consider the popular POS software available when choosing hardware for your market.
You should consider how well your customers’ POS setup will scale with their business. Choose hardware with additional sockets or ones that offer flexibility. This enables your customers to maximize the benefits of their POS system’s current and future configurations.
Connectivity and Security
POS hardware and accessories should be easy to install. As mentioned above, ports and sockets enable businesses to expand the functionalities of their POS systems easily. Plug-and-play solutions enable your customers to use the hardware immediately.
Aside from this, be sure to provide additional network connectivity options for your customers. Physical sockets for Ethernet ports enable businesses to connect to their local networks. This enables them to use their POS system without a Wi-Fi connection.
Data Protection
Because POS systems process payments, the hardware should comply with Payment Card Industry (PCI) standards. These regulations protect the customer data whenever a transaction is made using a card reader or similar hardware.
Processing payments using a secure network is one of the PCI compliance standards. Because of this, LAN or Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) connections ensure your customers fulfill this requirement. This example shows how a POS system’s different hardware functions work cohesively with the other components.
Quality Checks and Testing
Caption: Bimi’s MSR undergoes safety and quality checks [Image: Bimi Restaurant POS System]
To provide reliable POS hardware to your customers, you’ll need to check if each product undergoes quality checks. The top manufacturers ensure their products pass thorough quality checks before shipping to POS dealers like you.
Each component should pass its corresponding safety and performance tests. For example, a motherboard is tested for electromagnetic compatibility, environmental adaptability, and more. On the other hand, RAM and SSD parts should pass the manufacturer’s standards for performance and reliability.
Some manufacturers also conduct aging tests for their touchscreen displays. This ensures each screen’s colors and resolution pass the in-house standards. In tests like this, the physical condition of the hardware is checked for damage or scratches.
Cost
Using your knowledge of your market, you’ll have a good idea of the average budgets your customers have. If your customers run multi-location supermarkets, they’ll need more POS hardware than a café or food truck. Furthermore, a large-scale business has a higher spending capacity.
With this in mind, you can anticipate the price range that your customers are comfortable with. Similarly, your customers’ budget and business operations can inform you on the type of hardware they need. This will also help you determine how advanced the product specifications should be.
Maintenance Costs
Aside from the upfront expenses, you should also consider the maintenance costs. Hardware with a modular design is less expensive to repair or replace. Your customers may be able to fix their hardware on their own instead of hiring a professional.
Technical Support
Caption: Bimi’s POS-0072 model includes remote technical support. [Image: Bimi Retail POS System]
Hardware maintenance and repairs are easier to handle when reliable technical support is included. When selecting your hardware, check the availability of technical support. Be sure to check if there are multiple ways to ask for assistance, such as chat or a voice call.
In addition to technical support, you should look for a company that offers remote testing. In this process, the compatibility between the POS hardware and software is checked. By doing this, you’ll determine if your customer needs additional assistance.
Maintenance
Some manufacturers put serial numbers in their hardware to make maintenance and parts replacement easier. The serial number helps the manufacturer identify the component used in the POS hardware. If a component needs to be replaced, the manufacturer can easily find what your customer needs.
Product Warranty
Lastly, POS hardware with a product warranty enables you to maximize its lifespan. Product warranties typically range from 1 to 3 years. During the warranty period, you can expect the manufacturer to assist and resolve any issues you might encounter. Because of this, product warranty also reduces your maintenance costs.
Make the Right Choice for Your Customers
The right POS hardware for your customers supports their daily operations and scales with them. Aside from this, you need to ensure you provide a smooth deployment and maintenance process. The good news is you can do all of this while differentiating yourself from your competitors with the right manufacturer.
Are you looking for an OEM or ODM for your hardware? Bimi has more than 15 years of industry experience in creating OEM and ODM POS hardware. From the motherboard to the touchscreen display, its hardware undergoes strict quality checks. Its technical support team is available 6 days a week and provides remote testing as well.
CAT: Bimi POS Solution. [Image: Bimi’s Workshop]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Should you consider a POS system’s operating system when choosing its hardware?
Yes, you should consider a POS system’s operating system when choosing its hardware. Manufacturers create POS hardware that’s best suited for a specific operating system. A Linux POS system’s hardware isn’t guaranteed to be compatible with one used for a Windows device.
Hardware that’s compatible with a specific operating system should also work with a business’s POS software. This ensures that the components of a POS system work cohesively. Some POS device manufacturers provide a list of compatible hardware to make the hardware selection process easier.
2. What are the advantages of choosing an ODM for your hardware?
An ODM is able to fulfill your order at a faster rate than an OEM. It manufactures hardware faster because the product’s design is ready for production. Because of this, the hardware is less expensive since there is no product development involved. This is a good option for POS dealers who want to release hardware to their market as soon as possible.
However, choosing an ODM gives you fewer customization options. This may be limited only to packaging and other minor tweaks. If product differentiation is a lower priority for you, consider choosing an ODM.
3. Is your POS hardware automatically your intellectual property?
No, your POS hardware isn’t automatically your intellectual property. This depends on whether you use an OEM for your hardware. An OEM has patents and unique designs that you can use. Then, you can fully customize your hardware design based on what your market needs.
Because of your hardware’s uniqueness, it is now your intellectual property. Your competitors cannot copy it, which helps you stand out in your market.
However, creating fully differentiated hardware takes time. You may need to initially invest more time and money into it. The good news is that your customized product is completely yours from its production to distribution.
4. Should POS hardware comply with data security standards?
Yes, POS hardware should comply with data security standards. This is especially required for card readers and other payment or data processing hardware.
Card readers and similar hardware need to comply with PCI standards for data protection. This prevents data theft and breaches that harm a business’s customers. This also protects businesses from being liable if breaches occur. To follow these standards, businesses need to process payments in a secure network.
5. Do businesses benefit from using expandable RAM and SSD?
Yes, businesses benefit from using expandable RAM and SSD. These expandable hardware support a business’s growing operations with its current POS system.
A quick upgrade to the RAM prevents the POS system from slowing down or crashing. On the other hand, expanded SSD enables a business to easily add storage capacity without losing any data. With more demanding operations, expandable hardware allows a business to easily upgrade its POS system.
6. What tests should be conducted on a motherboard to check its quality and performance?
A motherboard is one of the key components of a POS system. It connects the system to other hardware such as the RAM, SSD, and CPU.
Manufacturers need to ensure that each motherboard is safe to use in various conditions. A motherboard typically undergoes tests such as:
- Electromagnetic compatibility
- Anti-electromagnetic interference
- Static protection
- Environmental adaptability
Once a motherboard passes these tests, it has proven that it can provide reliable performance. Afterward, the manufacturer can now add it to the POS system.
7. Should you consider a business’s daily operations when choosing hardware?
Yes, you should consider a business’s daily operations when choosing hardware. This information will help you determine:
- Technical specifications
- Complexity of the POS system setup
- Need for expandable hardware
A POS system’s hardware should perform its functions without slowing down. If a business needs hardware with reliable performance even in demanding operations, you’ll need more advanced technical specifications.
Using your knowledge of your market, you’ll know the types of hardware a business typically needs. This includes hardware that can scale with a business’s operations, which includes expandable RAM, SSD, and other components. Ports and sockets will also be helpful for scalability and adding functionality.
8. What technical support features should you look for when choosing hardware?
First, a manufacturer’s technical support should be reliable and available most days of the week. This enables you to easily request assistance for any issues or concerns you might encounter.
Next, you should check if remote testing is available. This will help you check if your hardware works well with your POS system. Remote testing also shows the manufacturer’s dedication to ensuring your customer has a smooth deployment process.
Lastly, be sure that post-sales maintenance support and product warranty are offered. In addition to ensuring the longevity of the hardware, it reduces maintenance costs and effort. For example, hardware with a modular design is easier and less costly to repair or replace.
9. How do you determine if a manufacturer’s production capacity is suitable for your market?
To determine if a manufacturer’s production capacity is suitable for your market, check its lead time and actual output. You need to ensure your customers receive their hardware on time. Once you’ve learned the lead time, you can forecast the ideal schedule for the placement of your order.
The actual output for a given period also helps you determine if your order can be fulfilled in time. A manufacturer’s output varies from time to time. Knowing the average output will help you determine what the typical maximum order should be.
These two factors enable you to properly schedule your orders and determine how much to order from the manufacturer. By doing so, you’ll be able to fulfill your customers’ orders on time and keep them satisfied with your services.
10. Can you get product samples from a manufacturer before placing an order?
Yes, you can get product samples from a manufacturer before placing an order. To do this, you’ll need to get hardware that meets the Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ). You’ll receive samples of the products you intend to sell without placing a full order. This is especially helpful if you’re still choosing the best manufacturer for your business.
In addition, you can have a better comparison of the hardware you’ll provide your customers. By using these samples, you can also test the product yourself and check its packaging.
English 
Spanish 
Arabic 
Russian 
