POS Equipment: Restaurant Input Devices
POS Equipment - types of input devices
Point of Sale Equipment: Keyboards and touch screens
One of the first choices you will have to make about your point of sale 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, where the ability to program individual keys for specific item codes and prices is appreciated.
Most touch screens today are designed by restaurant owners, it focuses more on meeting the needs of a restaurant that’s why they are more intuitive to use and “user-friendly”. Touch screens also provides flexibility in the user interface and programming, where it eliminates costly staff training. 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 last longer, use less electricity, and space-saving. They even look much better. When purchasing touch screens, avoid touch screens that are overlayed on top of regular monitors - these kind of monitors are prone to breakdowns, they can also add unnecessary complications to your computer systems.
When it comes to keyboards, some models are standard 101-key models that you find with any computer. The flat-panel membrane keyboards are smaller and more POS-specific device which is usually seen at fast food chains. Often, POS keyboards come with built-in magnetic stripe readers for debit card processing. Programmable keyboards usually go for between $150 and $300.
No matter which POS equipment you use, just make sure to take in consideration the environment where you will use it. You can find both keyboards and touch screens available in the market that has varying levels of spills and dusts proofing.
Bar code scanners
All scanners work in the same basic manner, reading a bar code 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. It can improve the speed of transaction as well as accurately stores information.
Low quality, cheap scanners are based on CCD technology. They cost less, but usually have a very short range - the item being scanned needs to be 1 to 3 inches from the scanner. In a typical retail setting, that should be fine.
For laser scanners, they offer better scanning with the ability to scan a bar code at long ranges. You may find some laser scanners that automatically turn themselves on when scanning and then turn off again, this is called “autosensing”. While omnidirectional scanners can send out 15 or 20 lasers simultaneously, which can easily scan a bar code from any angle. And for the top of the line, there’s the embedded scanner, which you commonly see in supermarkets located below the counter.
Properly use different types of scanners to serve customers. If the counter line has only one or a couple of customers, the CCDs or entry-level laser scanners should. 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 terminal
The latest type of input device is the handheld, wireless terminal. PDAs, which wirelessly transmits orders back to its base station. A distinct advantage this POS equipment can provide to a restaurant is that they increase the amount of time servers spend on taking orders on the floor and interacting with customers, because they never have to go back to a terminal to process orders.
Write-on handhelds: the combination of a touch screen interface and PDAs, this tiny input device allow servers to simply write the orders down. Handwriting recognition software parses the order then sends it on to the kitchen and bar as needed.
These handheld terminals are more expensive compared to a traditional touch-screen order terminal. However, these devices can make up for their cost by up-selling customers with more desserts and drinks. If you plan to purchase any handheld device, evaluate it first and don’t forget about the “drop test” - units are rated for toughness according to how much of a fall they can survive. 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.
Need more information or an online resource?
Go to 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.
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