3 POS Trends In Retail – And How They Effect You!

A recent study published by Vertical System Reseller (VSR) highlighted the three most requested POS features and what impact they will have on maintenance and repair.

MOBILE

Of course! Mobile POS capabilities were the most requested choice by far (75%) when it came to the POS feature that end-users and value-added resellers would most like to see. Having flexible hardware like this raises additional concerns when it comes to prolonging its longevity. Not only will it have to contend with the normal wear and tear that ‘fixed’ terminals handle, but mobile POS hardware is more susceptible to loss, drops, and encountering hazards like liquid spills.

Mobile POS often triggers failures with the network card too. This can be the common reason behind faults on certain models of Zebra printers and Motorola handheld devices.

So, although mobile POS is popular and offers many benefits, Maintenance Managers need to plan for possible increasing failures and repairs on this kind of equipment.

TABLET INTEGRATION

Tablets are a most requested POS feature amongst 37% of the VSR respondents. Although many different types of Tablets are appearing it seems that iPads are set to dominate this market. Tablets need to be handled with care within a retail or hospitality setting. Maintenace Managers need to make provision to counter theft, and the high risk of accidental damage that may not be covered by warranty. Fortunately, third party repair vendors can typically handle most common Tablet repairs and you don’t need to rely on the manufacturers for expensive out of warranty repairs.

TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAYS

This feature is requested by 23% of the respondents. The touchscreen functionality can make a POS terminal more intuitive and easy for the operator to use. However, given the technology that’s behind it, they’re susceptible to wear and tear with prolonged use in a busy retail or hospitality environment.

This part of the market is being addressed with the appearance of an increasing number of touch screen monitor manufacturers. However, some of their screens seem to have very poor quality with the touch screen itself failing quite quickly. So, buying cheap hardware can prove costly in the long run!

With touchscreens, it’s often the case that certain parts of the screen are used more than others and the wear becomes noticeable and ultimately prevents on the touch functionality from working correctly. Also, the bulbs that light the display have a finite life. Discoloration of the screen indicates that they need replacing, and their complete failure will make it seem like the screen has completely shut down. Thankfully, cost effective touchscreen repairs are still a good option for most all makes of screens.

If actively looking to add these new features to the POS inventory at a multi-site operation, a Maintenance Manager can guard against some of the more common issues that can cause fault with mobile units. For example, by selecting ruggedized devices or adding protective casing. The latter could add valuable branding opportunities if the marketing department is involved, as a bespoke case could make a tablet look like a menu in a dining establishment or feature the latest specials for example.

Have you already implemented any of the POS technology mentioned across your retail stores or hospitality venues? What advice would you share with your peers about effective maintenance? Please use the ‘Reply’ section below to share your experiences and guidance.