Welcome to the B-Spoke Systems EPOS Blog
The B-Spoke Systems EPOS blog is where we share practical advice, product news and industry insight for retailers, hospitality operators, software houses and resellers across the UK and Ireland. Our team has been working with point-of-sale technology since 2003, and this EPOS blog brings that experience together in one place, from buying guides and how-to articles to news from trade shows and updates from our Leicester showroom.
Whether you are choosing your first till, planning a self-checkout rollout or looking for a dependable hardware partner for your software, you will find something useful here. New articles are added regularly, so bookmark the EPOS blog and check back for the latest updates.
Start Here: Our Most Useful EPOS Guides
If you are new to the EPOS blog, these articles are a great place to begin:
- Choosing the right EPOS hardware for your retail business – a complete guide to tills, scanners, printers, scales and self-checkout for shops.
- EPOS hardware for hospitality with HiStone and ICRTouch – how terminals, kitchen displays and handhelds work together in restaurants, pubs and cafés.
- Mobile EPOS and self-service kiosks – how handhelds and kiosks are changing the way UK businesses serve customers.
- The all-new HiStone UK showroom – a look inside our refurbished Leicester showroom.
- Two decades of ISO9001 excellence – how quality management shapes everything we do.
Topics We Cover on the EPOS Blog
Our EPOS blog covers a wide range of subjects. Here is an overview of the main themes and where to find out more.
Retail EPOS
Articles for resellers and software houses on retail tills, self-checkout, scales, stock control and the customer experience. For an overview, visit our retail EPOS systems page.
Hospitality EPOS
Advice for restaurants, pubs, bars, cafés and hotels on front-of-house terminals, kitchen display systems, order-at-table and self-order kiosks. See our hospitality EPOS systems page for more.
Trade and Channel News
News and guidance for software houses, resellers and integrators, including product updates, configuration services and trade programmes. Read about our trade EPOS hardware for software houses.
Digital Signage and Displays
Ideas and advice on menu boards, promotional screens, interactive displays and video walls using Hisense commercial displays.
Events and Company News
Reports from UK and European trade shows such as the Retail Technology Show and EuroCIS, along with news about our team, our facility and our partners.
EPOS Glossary: Key Terms Explained
Point-of-sale technology comes with plenty of jargon. To help readers of the EPOS blog, we have put together a quick glossary of the terms you are most likely to come across.
EPOS
Electronic Point of Sale. The combination of hardware and software used to record sales, take payments and manage stock at the till.
POS
Point of Sale. Often used interchangeably with EPOS, it refers to the place and system where a customer completes a purchase.
All-in-One Terminal
A touchscreen till that combines the computer, display and often a customer-facing screen in a single unit. Browse our all-in-one POS terminals.
Box POS
A compact computer that sits separately from the display, allowing flexible counter layouts. See our box POS systems.
Kitchen Display System (KDS)
A screen in the kitchen that shows orders in real time, replacing paper tickets. Explore our kitchen display systems.
Self-Checkout
A kiosk that lets customers scan and pay for items themselves, commonly used in supermarkets and convenience stores. View our self-checkout kiosk systems.
Self-Order Kiosk
A touchscreen kiosk that allows guests to browse a menu, customise an order and pay without queuing at a counter.
Mobile POS
A handheld device used to take orders, process payments or check stock away from a fixed till. See our mobile POS systems.
Line-Busting
Using mobile devices to serve customers in a queue before they reach the till, reducing waiting times during busy periods.
Scale POS
A till with an integrated weighing scale, used for loose or weighed goods. View our scale POS systems.
Customer Display
A second screen facing the customer that shows items, prices and totals during a transaction.
Thermal Printer
A fast, ink-free printer that uses heat-sensitive paper to print receipts and kitchen tickets.
Cash Drawer
A lockable drawer connected to the till, usually opened automatically by the receipt printer when a cash sale is completed.
Gold-Disc Imaging
Creating a master copy of a configured operating system and software, then deploying it identically to multiple devices. It is one of the services we explain often on the EPOS blog.
Asset Tagging
Labelling each device with a unique identifier and recording its serial number, making warranty claims, audits and support easier.
Drop-Shipping
Delivering hardware directly from the distributor to the end customer’s site on behalf of a reseller.
Integrated Payments
Linking a card terminal to the EPOS software so the amount is sent automatically, reducing errors and speeding up transactions.
PCI DSS
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, a set of requirements for organisations that handle card data. Find out more from the PCI Security Standards Council.
Digital Signage
Screens used to display promotions, menus, information or advertising, managed digitally rather than with printed posters.
Interactive Display
A large touchscreen used in meeting rooms and classrooms for presenting, annotating and collaborating.
Tips for Getting the Most From Your EPOS
Alongside detailed articles, the EPOS blog shares quick, practical tips that can make a difference straight away:
- Keep software and firmware updated – updates often improve security, stability and performance.
- Clean touchscreens and scanners regularly – a clean device responds better and lasts longer.
- Train new staff properly – a short induction on the till saves time and reduces mistakes.
- Review reports weekly – sales and stock reports highlight trends you might otherwise miss.
- Plan for peak periods – add handhelds or kiosks before your busiest season, not during it.
- Keep spare consumables – receipt rolls and cleaning supplies should always be on hand.
- Know who to call – keep your support contact details visible near every till.
Ask Us a Question
Is there a topic you would like to see on the EPOS blog? Perhaps you are weighing up all-in-one terminals against box POS systems, wondering how kitchen displays would work in your kitchen or planning a self-checkout trial. Send us your questions and we may feature the answer in a future article. You can call us on 0116 260 3100, email sales@b-spokesystems.com or contact us online.
About the Team Behind the EPOS Blog
The EPOS blog is written by the team at B-Spoke Systems, an ISO9001-certified EPOS distributor based in Leicester. We are the UK distributor for HiStone EPOS hardware and supply Hisense commercial displays, serving retailers, hospitality operators, pharmacies, software houses and resellers across the UK and Ireland. Our sales staff, technicians and operations team all contribute their experience, so every article on the EPOS blog is grounded in real-world projects. Learn more about B-Spoke Systems or browse our EPOS hardware products.
EPOS Blog Frequently Asked Questions
How often is the EPOS blog updated?
We add new articles regularly, including buying guides, product news and event reports. Check back often or follow us on social media for updates.
Can I share articles from the EPOS blog?
Yes. You are welcome to share links to our articles with colleagues, customers and partners.
Do you write about specific software?
We are hardware-led and software-neutral, but we occasionally feature software partners such as ICRTouch where it helps explain how hardware and software work together.
Where can I see the products mentioned in articles?
Most of the hardware we write about is on display in our Leicester showroom, and full details are available on our product pages. If you cannot find what you are looking for, contact our team and we will point you in the right direction or arrange a demonstration.
Can resellers use EPOS blog content?
Resellers and software houses are welcome to link to our articles. If you would like product images or descriptions for your own website, contact your account manager.