Input devices - Restaurant Point of Sale (POS) Equipment
Point of Sale Equipment: Keyboards and touch screens
One of the first choices you will have to make about your POS equipment is whether to go with a touch screen or a programmable keyboard. Most businesses choose touch screens. The only market where programmable keyboards are more popular is grocery stores, since it has the ability to program individual keys for specific item codes and prices.
A growing number of touch screens today are designed by restaurant owners, and since many retail business owners aren’t tech savvy they prefer to use touch screens that are more intuitive to use and “user-friendly”. They also provide more flexibility in the user interface and programming. You will find most touch screens these days are based on flat-screen LCDs unlike the traditional CRT monitors. While LCD touch screens are a bit more expensive (typically $600 - $1,000 instead of $400 - $500), they are sturdier, saves electricity, and take up less space. They even look much better. With both CRT and LCD displays, avoid “overlay” touch screens that are added on to regular monitors - these monitors tend to breakdown easily and even causes unnecessary complications to your system.
For keyboards, some has the standard 101-keys model similar to any computer. For smaller keyboards, there’s the flat-panel membrane keyboard that’s more POS-specific, common in fast food chains. Often, they come in with built-in magnetic stripe readers for credit card processing. Programmable keyboards usually ranges between $150 and $300.
It doesn’t matter which POS equipment you use, make sure you consider the environment where it will be used. You’ll find both keyboards and touch screens available in the market that has varying levels of spills and dusts proofing.
Scanners
POS scanners reads an item’s barcode and sends the information back to the computer. Typically, scanners connect to the system through Y-connectors called wedges that make them function as an extension of the keyboard. Bar code scanning improves speed and accuracy during checkout.
Low-end scanners are based on CCD technology. They can be inexpensive, but usually have limitations - an item being scanned needs to be 1 to 3 inches from the scanner. In a typical retail setting, it should be fine.
Laser scanners, which use a beam of light to read bar codes, offer better scanning ability with the ability to scan at longer distances. You may find some laser scanners that automatically turn themselves on when scanning and then turn off again, this is called “autosensing”. The omnidirectional scanners can send out 15 or 20 lasers simultaneously, lets you scan bar codes from any angle. And the top of the line are embedded scanners, these are omnidirectional scanners usually seen in supermarkets located below the counter for easy access.
Properly use different types of scanners to serve customers. If the counter line has only one or a couple of customers, CCDs or entry-level laser scanners can help you out. A fairly constant flow of customers might call for an autosensing model, and very high volume businesses should investigate omnidirectional or embedded scanners. Prices range from below $100 for the most basic CCD scanners to $350 or more for omnidirectional laser scanners.
Handheld POS
One of the latest and most ingenious type of input device is the handheld, wireless terminal. Essentially a PDA, which wirelessly transmits orders back to its base station. A distinct advantage for restaurants is that they increase the amount of time servers spend on the floor taking orders and interacting with customers, because it eliminates the need to go back to a terminal to give the orders.
Write-on handhelds: think about combining touch screens with PDAs, this tiny input device allow servers to simply write the orders down. Handwriting recognition software parses the order then sends it directly on to the kitchen and bar as needed.
These handheld terminals are more expensive compared to a traditional touch-screen order terminal. However they can make up for the cost by allowing your servers to spend more time up-selling more desserts and drinks. When evaluating handheld terminals, make sure to take the “drop test” - these units are rated for toughness according to how much they can take a fall. You can easily find out if your business is a candidate for handheld POS terminals by comparing multiple POS equipment vendors to learn what products and services they offer.
For more info and free POS quotes or perhaps an online resource?
Visit POS-For-Restaurants.com
The author of this article is the Vice-President of Customer Relations at POS-For-Restaurants with over 20 years of experience serving restaurants of all types throughout the U.S.