Choosing EPOS hardware for your shop doesn’t have to be complicated, and this guide explains what to look for.
Choosing EPOS hardware with B-Spoke Systems
B-Spoke Systems is the UK’s largest independent distributor of HiStone EPOS hardware and also supplies Hisense commercial displays, with trade supply, UK-based support and showroom demonstrations for businesses across the UK and Ireland.
Looking for HiStone EPOS hardware? Browse our HiStone self-checkout kiosks, mobile tablet EPOS systems and all-in-one EPOS terminals, or contact B-Spoke Systems for trade supply across the UK and Ireland.
A Step-by-Step Approach to Choosing EPOS Hardware
Choosing EPOS hardware is much easier when you break the decision into a few clear steps. Rather than starting with product brochures, start with your business: how you sell, how busy you get and what frustrates your staff today. The steps below are the same ones our team uses when helping retailers across the UK plan a new system.
- Step 1: Map your customer journey – from the moment a shopper picks up an item to the moment they leave with a receipt.
- Step 2: Identify bottlenecks – queues, slow scanning, price look-ups, card payment delays or stock errors.
- Step 3: Confirm your software – the software you choose often decides which operating system and hardware you need.
- Step 4: Count your tills – plan for peak trading days, not quiet ones.
- Step 5: Choose your core terminals – all-in-one or box POS, depending on space and layout.
- Step 6: Add peripherals – printers, scanners, cash drawers, scales and customer displays.
- Step 7: Consider self-service and mobile – kiosks and handhelds can transform busy periods.
All-in-One Terminals or Box POS?
One of the first decisions when choosing EPOS hardware is the style of terminal. All-in-one terminals combine the computer, touchscreen and often a customer display in a single unit. They’re tidy, quick to install and ideal where counter space is limited. Box POS systems separate a compact PC from the screen, giving more flexibility over display size and position.
- Choose all-in-one for small to medium counters, a clean modern look and simple installation.
- Choose box POS if you need larger or multiple screens, under-counter installation or a specific mounting arrangement.
Our all-in-one POS range and box POS systems cover both approaches.
Processor, Memory and Storage
Performance matters more than many retailers expect. A terminal that feels fast today should still feel responsive in three to five years, as software updates and new features add demands. When choosing EPOS hardware, look for a modern multi-core processor, enough memory to run your software and background services comfortably, and solid-state storage for fast start-up and reliability. If you’re unsure, ask your software provider for their recommended specification and add a little headroom.
Screen Size and Touch Technology
Most retail counters suit a 15-inch screen, although larger screens help where staff navigate large product menus or where a single terminal serves several functions. Projected capacitive touchscreens, similar to modern smartphones, are responsive and durable. A customer-facing display builds trust by showing items and prices as they’re scanned. These details are easy to overlook when choosing EPOS hardware, but they make a real difference to daily use.
Barcode Scanners
Fast, accurate scanning keeps queues moving. Handheld scanners suit varied product sizes, while presentation scanners let staff pass items quickly without picking up a device. Many modern scanners read 1D and 2D codes, including codes displayed on mobile phones for vouchers and loyalty schemes. When choosing EPOS hardware for high-volume tills, a hands-free scanner is often worth the investment.
Receipt Printers and Cash Drawers
Thermal receipt printers are fast, quiet and don’t need ink. Look for reliable auto-cutters and a connection type that suits your terminal. Cash drawers should be robust, lockable and sized for your note and coin mix. Even as card payments grow, many retailers still handle cash, so this part of the set-up remains important.
Scales for Weighed Goods
If you sell loose produce, deli items or bulk goods, integrated weighing saves time and avoids pricing errors. Our scale POS systems, including the HT528L POS/EPOS scale, connect directly to the till.
Self-Checkout Kiosks
Self-checkout is one of the fastest-growing categories of retail technology. Kiosks let customers scan and pay for themselves, reducing queues and freeing staff for other tasks. When choosing EPOS hardware for self-checkout, consider footfall, basket size, age-restricted products and the space available. Browse our self-checkout kiosk systems, including the HS150 and HS520.
Mobile POS Devices
Handheld devices extend your tills across the shop floor. Staff can bust queues, check stock, assist customers and take payments anywhere in the store. When choosing EPOS hardware for mobile use, look for long battery life, a rugged design and built-in scanning. See our mobile POS systems.
Operating System and Software Compatibility
Your software usually determines the operating system. Windows remains common for established retail applications, Linux is popular for lean, secure installations and Android is increasingly used for mobile devices and kiosks. Always confirm compatibility before choosing EPOS hardware, including drivers for printers, scanners and scales. We test our hardware with a wide range of UK software, and we work closely with partners such as ICRTouch.
Durability and Environment
Retail environments can be tough on technology. Dust, spills, temperature changes and constant use all take their toll. Fanless, sealed designs last longer and are easier to keep clean. If hardware will be used near entrances, in garden centres or outdoors, factor in temperature and moisture when choosing EPOS hardware.
Support, Warranty and Spares
Hardware failures are rare with good equipment, but when they happen you need a fast response. Choose a supplier with UK stock, in-house technicians and spare parts. Ask about warranty terms, repair turnaround and whether replacement units are available. When choosing EPOS hardware, the supplier behind it matters just as much as the product.
Budget and Total Cost of Ownership
It’s tempting to focus on the lowest price, but the true cost of a till includes installation, downtime, repairs and replacement over several years. Commercial-grade equipment usually costs less over its life than consumer devices that were never designed for the shop floor. When choosing EPOS hardware, consider total cost of ownership rather than purchase price alone.
Choosing EPOS Hardware for Different Types of Shop
Every retail format has its own priorities. Here’s how the advice above applies in practice.
Convenience Stores
Convenience stores handle a high volume of small baskets, often with peaks in the morning and evening. When choosing EPOS hardware for a convenience store, prioritise fast terminals, presentation scanners and reliable receipt printers. A self-checkout kiosk can absorb rush-hour demand, while the staffed till focuses on age-restricted and tobacco sales.
Fashion and Lifestyle Retail
In fashion, the look of the counter matters as much as speed. Slim all-in-one terminals suit modern store designs, and mobile devices let staff check sizes, find stock in other branches and take payment on the shop floor. When choosing EPOS hardware for fashion, think about the customer experience as well as the transaction.
Garden Centres and Farm Shops
These businesses often combine retail, weighed goods and a café. Scales, rugged terminals and handhelds for bulky outdoor items are all useful. Choosing EPOS hardware that can be shared across departments keeps reporting simple and training consistent.
Pharmacies
Space behind a pharmacy counter is usually tight. Compact terminals, small-footprint printers and reliable scanners are essential. When choosing EPOS hardware for a pharmacy, also check compatibility with any pharmacy-specific software.
Multi-Site Retailers
For chains, consistency is key. Standardising on a small number of models simplifies support, training and spare parts. Pre-configured, asset-tagged hardware means each store receives identical equipment ready to install, which is one of the biggest advantages of choosing EPOS hardware from a distributor with in-house staging.
Common Mistakes When Choosing EPOS Hardware
- Buying for today, not tomorrow – underpowered terminals quickly feel slow as software evolves.
- Ignoring peak periods – too few tills create queues when it matters most.
- Mixing too many models – a varied estate is harder to support.
- Overlooking peripherals – incompatible printers or scanners cause delays on installation day.
- Forgetting staff – the people using the system every day should be involved in the decision.
A Quick Checklist Before You Buy
Before you place an order, run through this short checklist. It brings together everything above into a few simple questions to answer when choosing EPOS hardware:
- Does it run my software? Confirm the operating system, drivers and peripherals with your software provider.
- Is it fast enough? Check processor, memory and storage against your software’s recommendations, with room to grow.
- Will it fit? Measure counter space and plan cable routes before deciding on all-in-one or box POS.
- Can it cope with my busiest day? Make sure you have enough tills, kiosks or handhelds for peak trading.
- Is it built to last? Look for sealed, fanless, commercial-grade designs.
- Who supports it? Confirm warranty terms, repair times and spare-parts availability with your supplier.
- Can I see it first? Wherever possible, try the hardware before you buy.
Answering these questions honestly will steer you towards the right choice and help you avoid costly mistakes. If any answers are unclear, our team will be happy to help you work through them, and that support is part of choosing EPOS hardware with confidence.
How B-Spoke Systems Can Help
B-Spoke Systems has helped retailers, resellers and software houses with choosing EPOS hardware since 2003. As the UK distributor for HiStone, we hold stock in Leicester and can configure, image and test every device before it ships. Visit our retail EPOS systems page for an overview of the range, see the full list of EPOS hardware products or book a visit to our Leicester showroom.
Choosing EPOS Hardware: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important factor when choosing EPOS hardware?
Software compatibility comes first, followed by performance and reliability. Hardware that runs your software smoothly and keeps working through busy periods is the foundation of a good system.
How many tills does my shop need?
Base the number on your busiest trading periods. Count transactions per hour at peak times and allow enough tills, kiosks or handhelds to keep queues short.
Should I buy or lease EPOS hardware?
Both options can work. Buying usually costs less over the long term, while leasing spreads the cost. Consider cash flow, tax position and how long you plan to keep the equipment.
Can I mix old and new hardware?
Often, yes. Many retailers add new terminals or kiosks alongside existing equipment and replace older tills over time.
How long should retail EPOS hardware last?
Commercial-grade terminals are designed for several years of daily use. Regular cleaning, software updates and a sensible specification at the start all help to extend their working life, and a good supplier will support the hardware throughout.
How do I get advice?
Call 0116 260 3100, email sales@b-spokesystems.com or contact us online and our team will help with choosing EPOS hardware for your business.
About B-Spoke Systems: B-Spoke Systems is a UK EPOS hardware distributor with more than twenty years of experience in EPOS distribution. We supply, configure and support HiStone EPOS hardware for businesses, resellers and software houses. Find out how our EPOS distribution service can support your next rollout.