For a small shop, café or salon, the EPOS terminal is one of the hardest-working pieces of kit you own. Buy the wrong one and you will feel it every day – slow screens, peripherals that drop out, or a unit that cannot run next year’s software update. Here are seven checks to make before you buy an EPOS terminal for a small business.
1. Choose your EPOS software first
Your software decides whether you need a Windows or Android EPOS terminal. Windows runs most established EPOS packages; Android suits app-based systems and keeps costs down. HiStone makes both – for example the Windows HK528 and the Android HK526Q and HK566Q.
2. Buy commercial EPOS hardware, not a consumer tablet
Consumer tablets are tempting, but they are not designed to run 12 hours a day, take card swipes or drive a cash drawer. A purpose-built EPOS terminal has the ports, stand and build quality to keep going.
3. Check the ports
Small businesses often need a receipt printer, cash drawer and scanner on day one. Look for serial (COM) ports, powered USB and an RJ11 cash drawer port. The HiStone HK566Q, for example, has seven USB ports, three serial ports, a cash drawer port and a 24V output to power a printer.
4. Get the screen size right
15–15.6″ is the sweet spot for most small counters. Go bigger only if you have lots of buttons; go mobile if you serve at tables.
5. Think about durability
Spills, flour, grease and dust are a fact of life. Sealed, fanless designs such as the HiStone HK568 are built to cope.
6. Plan for growth
Will you add a second till, a kitchen screen or self-ordering later? Choose a range that grows with you – HiStone covers mobile EPOS, kitchen displays and self-service kiosks from one supplier.
7. Check UK support and stock
A cheap import is no bargain if it takes three weeks to replace. Buy from a UK supplier holding stock and spares.
Recommended small business EPOS terminals
- Café / takeaway on Android: HiStone HK566Q Luna X
- Small shop on Windows: HiStone HK528
- Table service: HiStone HM628N tablet EPOS
Wondering about budgets? Our guide to EPOS system costs in the UK breaks down what to expect.
Talk to B-Spoke Systems about HiStone EPOS terminals
B-Spoke Systems supplies the full HiStone EPOS range in the UK from our Leicester base, for EPOS resellers, software houses and businesses alike. You can build and price a HiStone EPOS terminal in our configurator, book a visit to our Leicester showroom to try the hardware with your own software, or call 0116 260 3100 / email sales@b-spokesystems.com.