Integrated systems for retail - PCs designed for till and epos

As mentioned elsewhere, it is perfectly reasonable to run your Epos software using regular PCs as tills.. However, there is a special type of PC custom designed for use in the retail environment. Using an integrated PC system to run your EPOS retail management software solution offers numerous practical advantages, despite costing a little more.

What is an integrated system PC designed for EPOS? Certain manufacturers (more below) offer for sale units which combine a PC running Windows, a touchscreen, a card reader, a customer display and sometimes a retail receipt printer into one compact unit.

A very good example of this is the Aures Odysse POSLigne range of integrated systems. These neat looking units include a built in touchscreen and customer display, as well as a powerful PC underneath. The also look pretty smart on the counter top, and come with a range of different coloured clip on trim to match your shop decor.

Another example comes from Toshiba TEC - although I personally find their units look dull and boring compared to the exciting Aures kit.

The primary advantge of this is the integration. An integrated system like this is designed expressly for the retail enviroment - robust and easy to service. The integrated componants are all designed to work together.

These PCs are focussed on the retail software market - and therefore contain a lot of serial and other such ports out the back for attaching barcode printers, Chip and pin machines etc without the need for lots of USB converters like a normal modern PC needs.

Retail software EPOS developers love units like this - they can optimise their software to work with the built in hardware, and there is a much greater chance of everything working out of the box.

Service levels are also good with this sort of kit - a wise engineer will have a supply of parts and can easily swap out a whole unit without much hassle.

There are recommmended very strongly.

The maze of wiring associated with traditional PC EPOS retail solutions is also dramatically reduced - cutting down on the mess on the counter top. Everything is powered from one plug - avoid the need for wiring again.

But bear in mind, integrated systems like this are integrated HARDWARE systems - they do not have software - you will still need your EPOS software solution provider to install your software and connect it up and configure it with the rest of your system.

During the sales process and retail EPOS solution provider will offer the option of this type of unit. Although they cost more, the savings in the long run are more than worth it - and the looks alone are vital in any modern retail setting.