What’s new in POS Hardware

Summary

     Tammy Mastroberte, Contributing Editor for Hospitality Technology discussed the latest advances to point-of-sale (POS) hardware.  Mastroberte starts off with a brief overview of the current hardware used like smartphone devices with attached card readers.  Starbucks is already using POS terminals that allow the customer to pay from their own smartphone.  This article lists and gives a brief overview of six POS terminals and two mobile POS devices.  Fujitsu America offers two new models that offer almost half the footprint and lower power consumption and can also be configured to run as a server with the ability to support multiple applications and terminals.  Logic Controls developed an all-in-one POS system that has an incorporated fingerprint reader.  MICROS System offers an all-in-one PC based workstation featuring a wide operating temperature, spill resistant case, and integrated magnetic card reader.  NCR Corp. came out with two new all-in-one POS systems.  The first has an energy efficient processor and runs the latest graphical touch-based operations.  The second system is designed for small/medium sized businesses is energy efficient without requiring a fan.  PAR Technology has two that offer shock and spill resistant covers.  The smaller model has an integrated card reader.  Radiant Systems, Inc. now offers a value-priced terminal with lower energy consumption.  Mastroberte discusses two new mobile POS payment stations.  Action Systems, Inc. and Verifone Inc. both have portable card readers.  Mastroberte closes the article with discussing a few of the numerous printers that are new to the market.  They all are addressing the issues of speed, dust and spill repelling, and versatility. 

Reflection

     The advances in POS terminals and payment hardware is amazing and yet worrisome.  My main concern is the customer being in control of the payment submission.  It is difficult enough for the trained staff to rectify a computer issue when they are the one that entering the transaction.  I can also foresee many unnecessary bank fees for these errors as the number of incorrect credit card charges increases.  Banks already are attempting to make up for the fee losses the new government regulations created for them and this situation shows strong potential for increasing the interaction with banks.  Aside from my concern about fees, the new technology does make me excited for my future in the Hospitality industry.  I can envision the need for many of the new advances I can utilize when operating my future hotel.  The new shock and spill resistant casings along with the smaller and more appealing look of the new terminals will make for a more inviting look in both the dining rooms and the open common areas.  The portable payment units will make impulse purchases easier and hopefully increase revenue.  The biggest advance in my opinion is the PC compatibility offered.  This will streamline the transfer and computation of data to provide a much more “real time” look at everything from inventory to profit.  Improvements in POS hardware will make the staff more efficient, the service quicker, and hopefully everything will happen at a quicker pace.  This all will provide increased revenue through increased customer satisfaction.

Mastroberte, Tammy. (2011, March 03). What’s new in POS Hardware.  http://hospitalitytechnology.edgl.com/top-stories/What’s-new-in-POS-Hardware-70775