Category Archives: Point of Sale

What is the Future of Receipt Printers?

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Receipt printers play an integral part in the customer experience. Every transaction at the point of sale (POS) generates a receipt; these paper (or digital) takeaways are proofs of purchase and potentially so much more. A good receipt printer enables store owners and managers to print coupons, raise brand awareness, and issue customer surveys. As receipt printer technology progresses, you can expect even more functionality, higher quality printing, and faster connections.

What does the future hold for receipt printers? These six features will become even more important as businesses evolve.

1. Front-Loading Paper Design

Front-loading printers are designed for easy loading and low maintenance. It’s inevitable that cashiers will need to change the printer paper at least once while there’s a line waiting. Quick access for a paper swap can shave time off the wait, which keeps the line moving.

2. Multiple Connectivity Options

Consumers expect always-on connectivity for uninterrupted service, so don’t limit yourself. Purchasing a printer that has multiple connectivity choices, including Ethernet, Wi-Fi, traditional USB, lightning USB, Bluetooth, and cloudPRNT, allows for versatile, reliable use throughout retail locations. Mobile checkouts are mainstays in busy retail operations, so multiple connectivity choices will ensure your receipt printer is always up and running.

3. Easy Software Integration

The days of downloading multiple drivers, clicking around to integrate printers and software, getting frustrated and finally calling tech support is over. No one has time to sit on the phone to troubleshoot problems, so expect to see plug and play setups, with everything you need right in one box and online.

4. Hardy and Compact, but Still High-End and Stylish

Bigger isn’t better, and in the future, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a receipt printer that takes up a lot of real estate on a checkout counter. Instead, expect stylish, compact designs, even for printers that are tough enough to work in any modern environment.

5. Thermal Printing

A thermal receipt printer is quiet and uses a printhead to apply heat that transfers characters and images to receipt paper and labels. Thermal receipt printers have a higher resolution than impact printers, so they print crisp, clear images. For merchants that want a nicer looking receipt, or print coupons and marketing information, thermal printers may be the right choice.

6. Value-Added Services Included

You want more control from your POS system over services that were previously managed through third-party companies, such as surveys, promotions, coupons, and even digital signage. Star Cloud Services was created to bring next-generation customer engagement solutions to retailers by transforming their receipt printers into cloud-connected devices. This gives business owners total control over the what and how of communicating with their customer base.

Star Cloud Services include:

  • AllReceipts: a free cloud-based, digital receipt application that allows customers to store and manage receipts on their mobile devices
  • PromoPRNT/Promotion creator: a simple coupon creator that designs promotions for receipts
  • PromoPRNT/scheduler: schedule the duration of a coupon campaign by selecting a time, date, and printer for each coupon/promotion
  • Customer surveys: a direct line of communication with customers, printed on the receipt, to get their feedback on how your business and products are performing

Business owners shopping for a new receipt printer shouldn’t choose one that’s obsolete before it’s even out of the box. Look for a printer that is a front-loading device for fast paper changes, and one with myriad connectivity options for mobility and flexibility. Don’t let your receipt printer limit you — choose one that includes value-added services that gives you control over how and when you communicate with customers.

The Future of Printing with Star

4 Indicators That It’s Time to Upgrade Your Salon POS System

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Salons and spas require special point of sale (POS) features like walk-in management, appointment schedulers, customer relationship management (CRM), loyalty functions, reminders, online booking, payment processing and more. It doesn’t matter if you own a hair or nail salon, blow-out bar or a full-service spa, salon POS systems aren’t a “one and done” investment—they require upgrades to keep up with your industry and new client demands and expectations.

Do you have a fast salon POS system that engages clients at checkout, tracks clients via CRM, accepts any form of payment, facilitates loyalty programs and accepts appointments online? If they can’t do these things and extra seconds are adding up to longer wait times, then it’s time for an upgrade. Here are four signs it’s time for a refresh:

  1. Hardware is outdated and no longer compatible with new software

New functionalities designed to enhance customer service become available regularly, so your hardware needs to support these platforms. Watch for the signs that a hardware failure is imminent:  crashing, inexplicable component malfunctions, or software running slowly. Don’t wait until the system is offline, which means work slowdowns, data loss and longer wait times. Obviously, if your hardware is so old it can’t run new software, it’s time for a replacement. Set a regular schedule for evaluating salon POS system hardware to make sure all components are running well.

  1. Your existing system is not scalable

If growth and additional locations is your goal, it’s important to have a scalable system that allows you to easily add terminals and locations to your network. Scalability is also important if you need more checkouts temporarily, because once the terminal is added to the network, the device will be running the same solution with the same data accessibility. If your current solution isn’t scalable or you’ve been putting it off because it’s a hassle, it’s time for an upgrade.

  1. Your POS system doesn’t provide actionable data and analytics

A salon POS system should be a workhorse that makes your life easier. A few clicks should give you comprehensive reports that allow you to view sales, customer information, appointments and inventory data in real time. These systems also include a variety of reporting options that give you comprehensive intelligence by the shift, hour, day, week, month or year. Without this information, it’s impossible to optimize employee scheduling, see what products are in stock, what’s selling out and what’s ready for markdown. Without actionable data and analytics, you can’t make changes that will improve your business or maximize efficiency.

  1. Customer service is less than stellar

Constantly apologizing to customers because “the system is slow today” or making them wait to checkout is a poor finish to a relaxing massage, exciting new haircut or a fresh manicure. Your salon POS system should empower you to give each client personalized attention by tracking customer purchases and preferences and offering coupons, based on their buying habits. It should also facilitate loyalty programs, marketing initiatives and engage the customer during their final moments in the salon. However, if a fast (or slow, depending on your hardware) checkout is all you have to offer before your clients leave, then it’s time for an upgrade.

Even though there are other business changes you’d probably prefer to finance, your salon POS system needs regular TLC. In fact, not keeping your POS system current will cost you money and time and customer service will suffer. Don’t get caught off guard—monitor your salon POS system for signs of failure and address them right away.

Retail Stores are Boosting In-Store Customer Experiences with Receipts

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At Star Micronics, we’ve been innovating POS Tech customer engagement solutions for years as an innovation hub for POS.

Recently we have solved how retail stores can achieve digital receipts and micro receipts that engage customers, and this year we’re rolling out PromoPRNT, a seamless feature that allows stores to easily reach their customers with POS Ads in-store on receipts.

 

A Star printer at Souvlaki George, 2017.

PromoPRNT as an Innovative Location Marketing Tool

  • PromoPRNT is a new service available to Star Micronics Cloud (formerly called Star Cloud Services) registered members that empowers retailers to create printed promotions in addition to receipts.
  • PromoPRNT is a suite of tools that allow small businesses to easily reach their customers with the creation, design, and execution of location marketing campaigns on receipts.
  • Ultimately, with these PromoPRNT tools, retailers will be able to deliver incentives directly to shopper’s hands at a fraction of the cost of other marketing tools.

Mobile In-Store is Catching On

According to a survey by iVend Retail’s 2018 Global Path to Purchase, 60.1% of shoppers said they used their smartphones in brick-and-mortar stores. This means mobile is an important touch-point for physical retailers and stores to elevate the customer experience. In 2017, Star created a seamless way for customers to upload their receipts to their smartphones called AllReceipts.

Customer-centric apps allow retailers to boost their sales. A good example of this is how Starbucks has created a seamless way to do mobile ordering.

 

Photo Credit: Kate Taylor, Business Insider.

 

Deployment 2.0 of Starbucks reworks the workflow of employees to better optimize their time that caters to the new mobile ordering feature at Starbucks locations, with a dedicated place for customers to pick up their orders.

Starbucks insists that digital sales are a key for its future and displays one of the top in-app experiences of any global retailer. Dedicated employees for mobile ordering tasks means Starbucks have sped up their customer-experience to enable mobile ordering to become an ever-increasing portion of their sales.

In-Store Mobile Experience Trends

Shoppers who receive special offers via mobile while they are inside physical stores show higher conversion rates than in other customer journeys, according to Retail Dive. Mobile is also increasingly the starting place for research into products and retail locations that are local. At Star, we recognize the importance of both digital and physical cues for shoppers and thus have dedicated digital receipts and location marketing suite of services that is an omnichannel solution to better engage the modern shopper.

 

 

Digital Signage that combines Mobile Loyalty with Digital Displays

With more consumers using mobile at physical retail locations, Star also has another new program that leverages POS Digital Signage, with digital signage partner, Sophatar.

Sophatar® POS Signage is another new service available to retailers who are registered Star Micronics Cloud users, for a low monthly subscription cost. Combining POS Data, with digital signage screens, the solution is able to increase the basket size of the most popular selling items at hospitality, grocery, retail, and apparel boutique locations.

In this article, we have covered how retailers and brick-and-mortar small businesses can easily combine mobile, location-marketing receipt tech and POS digital signage to create a better in-store customer experience that increases retail sales.

 

3 Things Cannabis Retailers Need to Know About Cannabis Receipt Regulations

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Running a marijuana dispensary requires in-depth knowledge of the local laws and meticulous recordkeeping including retaining copies of each cannabis receipt.

Running a medical or retail marijuana dispensary requires in-depth knowledge of the local laws and meticulous recordkeeping including retaining copies of each cannabis receipt. As of April 2017, 29 states have legalized medical marijuana, which can be used to treat several illnesses, including multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, inflammation, pain, mental disorders and substance abuse, among others. In addition, 9 states have legalized recreational use. That means cannabis retailers are legally operating in more than half of the U.S.

Their businesses can be very different, however, depending on the states in which they are located.  One difference is startup costs. For example, annual licensing fees range from $3,000 in Colorado to $75,000 Connecticut. States may also require a minimum of liquid capital, some places as high as $250,000, so it’s imperative you protect your investment with perfect recordkeeping of every transaction. Retaining a copy of every cannabis receipt ensures your dispensary follows state and local laws and protects your business in the event of an audit.

What should the receipt include? How can you prove your business is operating in compliance with state and local laws? The cannabis receipt provided to the customer proves you are collecting all the relevant taxes and dispensing marijuana legally.

If you are considering opening a marijuana dispensary or you want to make sure your business is operating in compliance with your state’s laws and make sure you are correctly formatting and recording cannabis receipts, your point of sale (POS) system is the perfect tool to manage this requirement.

1. Check the Specific Requirements in Your State

Understand your state’s tax laws to ensure you are charging the correct amount. For example, in California, retailers charge a consumer-excise and sales tax, while in Colorado, cannabis is subject to different taxation, whether it’s classified as medical or retail marijuana. It’s important to stay up to date on changing tax laws to ensure you are collecting the correct percentage. Failure to comply could subject your business to fines and added scrutiny.

 2. Manage Copies of Cannabis Receipts

Use your POS system to send a backup copy of each cannabis receipt to the cloud or store the backup offsite. If you are issuing receipts with carbon copy paper, staple or clip the receipts together. It’s also a good idea to keep important financial records, licensing information and other sensitive financial paperwork in a secure place outside of the dispensary. Retain all records for a minimum of three years in case of an audit.

 3. Include All Required Information on the Cannabis Receipt

Although the exact information you include will depend on your state’s laws, most receipts will include store name and address, the category of taxable products or product category name/product name. Receipts should also include a code or other identifier for the product’s taxes. There may be additional requirements, however. In Oregon, it’s required to list the sale subtotal before tax, amount of state tax, local tax, total sale amount and identifying receipt number. A disclaimer stating that receipts are required for customer tax disputes is also required.

The cannabis industry is promising for dispensaries, but it is tightly regulated by the states where marijuana has been legalized. Give your business the best chance for compliance and success with a POS system equipped with state-of-the-art printers to meet regulatory requirements while providing convenient customer experiences at the checkout.

Contact the experts at Star to learn more about ideal solutions for the cannabis industry.

The Ultimate Guide to Building Your iOS POS System

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iOS POS systems look sharp sitting on a counter or mounted on a wall, so it’s no wonder why retailers and restaurants are drawn to these sleek setups for their establishments. Whether you need fixed terminals or a mobile solution, an iOS POS system can fulfill all your needs.

 Are you in the market for a new iOS POS system? If so, keep these points in mind while you’re shopping around.

1. iOS Device

If you’re using an iPad or other iOS technology you already own, make sure it has the most recent update that the hardware will support. If you have older devices, make absolutely sure the POS software you want to run supports your hardware — before you invest in it. A better strategy is to choose your POS software first — find a solution that offers features and functionality you need to run your business — then select the hardware. All iPad POS solutions aren’t the same. Look for options such as clock in/out, split checks, payments, scheduling and inventory tracking that can help you run your business.

2. iPad Enclosure

Although iOS POS systems are feature-rich, they aren’t ruggedized devices. An iPad or iTouch is a consumer-grade device, nowhere near tough enough for retail and restaurant workplaces. iOS devices that get wet or hot will have functionality issues, so protecting your technology with a specialized enclosure is imperative to staying online. iPads left unattended are targets for loss and theft, so opt for an enclosure that allows you to secure the device to a wall or counter. Some enclosures can be fitted to stands that flip and swivel into a customer-facing position, so shoppers can sign for credit card transactions or add a tip.

3. Peripherals

iOS POS systems differ from more traditional POS solutions when it comes to peripherals. If you need a 2D barcode scanner, scale integration, receipt printer and customer display, make sure your solution has options to keep everything connected. Printing receipts from an iOS POS system can present a particular challenge for merchants. A great solution is Star Micronics’ TSP654II AirPrint, the First Receipt Printer on the market with AirPrint™ Certification. TSP654II printers allow merchants to print from their iOS devices without installing specific printer drivers.

4. Aesthetic Appeal

One of the iPad’s main selling points is the tablet’s stylish design. If you selected an iOS POS system, chances are you care about how it looks. Don’t cover up a glossy iPad with a clunky enclosure or pair it with nondescript peripherals. Make sure your enclosure and peripherals enhance the iOS POS system and are as chic as their surroundings. Star Micronics offers mPOP™, Mobile Point of Purchase, the first hybrid for tablet POS that combines a cash drawer and printer peripheral. The unit’s ergonomic but fully integrated design works with the tablet or mobile device of your choice, so you can have a mobile solution without compromising space, quality design or functionality.

iOS POS systems can be a great choice for your store or restaurant if you strategically design a system that will meet your business’ needs, withstand a harsh commercial environment and complement your brand with the look you want. Work with an experienced POS solution provider to help you incorporate those elements into your solution — and more— to help you get the most out of your investment.

5 Benefits of Digital Signage Solutions

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As you plan your strategy, consider how your business could be reaping the benefits of digital signage.

Smart marketing includes the goal of making the best investment of precious advertising dollars on activities that people will see. As you plan your strategy, consider how your business could be reaping the benefits of digital signage.

Shopping habits have certainly changed as consumers are more technology-oriented and sophisticated than ever. Digital content is now a primary trusted source when shoppers are considering a new purchase or searching for the best deal. Digital content affects where we choose to shop and what to buy, and smart business owners are adapting their operations to find the most effective ways to communicate with their customers.

Effective communication is one of the primary benefits of digital signage. It is an interactive gateway that allows businesses to communicate directly with customers, engaging them while they are in the store. This strategy pays off—according to Independent Retailer, digital signage can increase overall sales volume by nearly 32%. Additional benefits of digital signage include:

1. Attention-Grabbing Displays

Consider this: digital signage is one of the most customizable forms of publicity and a virtual guarantee that the message will be seen by its target audience. Merchants may use the same digital interface to influence customer behavior by creating eye-catching displays and showcasing brands or services, which will ultimately drive sales and boost profit margins.

2. Dynamic, Contextual Content Updates

Digital signage is easy to control and can be modified quickly, allowing it to be incorporated into virtually any environment. Depending on the setup and service you choose, you may be able to store your own graphics and update the signage as often as you want. This is especially useful during holiday shopping time, or if you want to promote doorbusters and flash sales during certain hours.

You can take this a step further by implementing a digital signage solution that incorporates an AI element to determine your most popular sales items and which items are commonly sold together. Or, perhaps to identify items that have seen a sudden drop in sales. Such a solution would then display these items, promoting them to in-store customers to increase sales and boost profits.

3. Cost-Effective

Another one of the benefits of digital signage is that it provides an additional revenue stream for enterprising business owners. After the system is installed, retailers or restaurateurs may opt to pay off their original investment by selling advertising space to companies or brands that will complement the store’s operations. These ads elevate the status of certain brands, services or suppliers that want to raise brand awareness and raise their numbers in the store, target market or sales territory.

Moreover, making information available via digital messaging helps businesses reduce the cost of traditional campaigns, by saving money on printing, distribution and waste materials that will be discarded after the promotion has ended.

4. Boosts Impulse Purchase Sales

Digital signage is a valuable tool for businesses because it conveys important messages, in-store specials, promotions or advertising directly to patrons during a critical moment—while they are contemplating making a purchase. This will help increase revenues by giving shoppers an extra push to complete a transaction by displaying information about impulse buys, promotions and other specials.\

5. Increases In-Store Digital/Social Media Presence

Business owners should use social networks to increase brand awareness, drive repeat business, generate new customers and address customer satisfaction issues. By providing additional information directly to customers via digital signage, stores can generate additional sales revenue, recruit new people for their loyalty programs and even display digital endorsements from Facebook, Twitter and other websites such as Yelp, TripAdvisor and more.

As technology seeps into every aspect of our lives, it seems like a natural progression to incorporate the benefits of digital signage into your business strategy to enhance customer experiences—and store revenues. Digital signage is an effective marketing tool that’s worth exploring: Businesses that have incorporated this electronic medium are already harnessing its power and using it to boost traffic and increase sales, boost traffic.

4 Must-Have POS Solutions to Increase Customer Engagement

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If you’re not using point of sale (POS) solutions to communicate with and engage your customers, there’s a good chance they’re going to go elsewhere.

The retail landscape is extremely crowded, and your customers have a wide variety of choices when deciding where to shop. A blowout sale isn’t enough to draw foot traffic—it’s important to ensure that each person who visits your business feels appreciated and engaged. If you’re not using point of sale (POS) solutions to communicate with and engage your customers, there’s a good chance they’re going to go elsewhere.

Of all the channels available to consumers, brick-and-mortar stores offer the instant gratification and service experience that shoppers crave. Make sure their time in your shop sets your business apart from the competition. A high-level of attention can turn first-time shoppers into repeat customers that may even evolve into brand ambassadors who refer their family and friends to your business.

POS solutions offer you several tools to help increase customer engagement and make visitors feel valued.

  1. Digital signage

Digital signage is an interactive gateway that allows a business to communicate directly with a consumer, engaging them while they are contemplating making a purchase in-store. This electronic medium is a highly customizable form of publicity and a virtual guarantee that your target audience will see your message.

Many POS solutions have digital signage functionality built-in, so users can change messages frequently. This user-friendly platform will help increase revenues by displaying information about impulse buys, promotions and other specials to customers.

Sophatar Digital POS Signage is the next generation of intelligent customer-facing displays. See how Sophatar can help increase your customers’ basket size in this interview with Bart DeCanne at NRF 2018.

  1. Custom coupon offers and promotions

Shoppers love saving money and receiving free items or services. Coupons give your customers an incentive to try a new product or make a repeat purchase. Merchants can use their POS solutions to reduce the cost of printing coupons and digital campaigns by generating offers in-store. Printing coupons on customer receipts allow you to reach a higher percentage of shoppers for a fraction of the cost of a print or digital campaign. Many POS solutions are equipped with templates of coupons, discounts and offers to customize receipts. Printing a coupon on the receipt means you can be sure the customer receives it.

  1. Digital receipts

Shoppers are rarely able to keep track of all the receipts they receive, but these proofs of purchase are often required to make a return. Returns are less frustrating for shoppers who can locate the receipt in their email, saving them the trouble of rooting around in bags, pockets or cars. The ability to make hassle-free returns moves customer service lines faster and increases the chance that people will shop at your store again.

Offering digital receipts gives businesses the opportunity to collect customers’ email addresses, which can also be used to email coupons, promotional information, and other announcements.

  1. Customer engagement surveys

Take advantage of every opportunity to engage your customers. A customer service survey is a direct channel of communication that gives you an inside look at how your business and products are performing. Typically, customers are offered an incentive like a discount coupon, free item or a chance to be entered in a contest for completing the survey. These surveys should be included on the receipt because it shows you care about a customer’s experience.

Engaging every shopper who comes into your store will go a long way toward ensuring they will return. POS solutions can make engaging customers easier and equip you with tried and true methods of capturing attention and offering personalized service that will help build customer loyalty.

3 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Apple POS System with AirPrint Receipt Printers

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iPad POS systems are extremely popular in retail, restaurant and hospitality venues. It’s easy to see why — an Apple POS system is sleek, attractive and compact — so they look great and they’re small enough to be used in tight spaces.

iPad POS systems are feature-rich, affordable and easy to and use, but printing receipts from an Apple POS system can present a challenge for merchants. Although Apple offers its AirPrint® technology, which allows users to print photos and documents from any iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, AirPrint wasn’t available for receipt printers.

To meet this need, Star Micronics developed a suite of printing solutions including the StarPRNT SDK and PassPRNT, so receipts could be printed using a Bluetooth-enabled receipt printer. Most recently, Star Micronics unveiled its new TSP654II AirPrint, the first 80 and 58mm receipt printer to be Apple AirPrint certified.

What does this mean for Apple POS system users?

1. No need to download or install drivers

There’s no need to get the help desk involved in connecting a wireless printer to your Apple POS system. Forget about workarounds and downloads: users will be able to wirelessly print receipts without installing specific printer drivers, extra configurations or software. Star’s TSP654II AirPrint includes both Ethernet and WLAN capabilities, so it will work seamlessly with Apple iPads, iPhones, iPods and Macbooks on any private network.

2. Print receipts and orders right from your Apple POS System (Mac, iPad or iPhone devices)

AirPrint support is pre-installed on iOS devices, so you can use this familiar interface to connect to and begin printing from the new printer. The TSP654II features a fast, 300 mm per second print speed, high-quality 203 dpi print, compact footprint and aesthetic design. Faster print speeds at the Apple point of sale will help shave a few seconds off each transaction, which means less waiting and more efficient customer service.

3. Control your cash drawer from your Apple POS System (Mac, iPad or iPhone)

A printer-controlled cash drawer must be connected to a receipt printer if you want it to open automatically at the end of a transaction. Although AirPrint has limited ability to control cash drawers, it gives developers previously using the StarPRNT SDK another option when programming printer control.  The TSP654II is available in charcoal black or ultra-white to match the Star CB2002 cash drawer options.

Why choose the TSP654II AirPrint from Star Micronics?

Until now, there hasn’t been a “plug and play” receipt printing solution for Apple POS systems. The TSP654II is the first Apple certified receipt printer that works seamlessly over any private network, with any Apple device. In addition to high-speed printing, the new printer includes “drop in and print” paper loading and an improved guillotine auto-cutter. The TSP654II is a flexible printing solution that can be used in vertical or horizontal mode and includes a wall mount bracket in the box. A splash-proof cover is also available for added durability. The TSP654II is compatible with Star Cloud Services’ digital receipt solution and the AllReceipts App.

Apple POS systems are popular among business owners because they’re affordable and easy to learn and use. Despite their popularity, it wasn’t simple to print a receipt from an iPad POS solution—until now. Star Micronics’ new TSP65411 is the first AirPrint-certified receipt printer on the market, that allows users to print from their Apple POS system without any extra steps. In addition to groundbreaking technology, the new printer also includes the quality features and design details that meet Apple’s high operational standards.

3 Reasons Why Merchants Should Choose Hybrid Tablet POS

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Some retailers are shifting away from a legacy point of sale (POS) terminal toward flexible, scalable tablet-based solutions. And for good reason. Tablet POS solutions are affordable, powerful platforms that increase mobility, generate comprehensive analytics and securely store data. Many tablet POS systems are cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions that update automatically.

Although SaaS solutions are easy to use, some merchants have been hesitant to implement them because they rely on an “always on” internet connection. A cloud-based system won’t function if the connection is spotty, which could wreak havoc during a big sale or holiday shopping time.

Cloud-connected or hybrid POS solutions are a smarter choice for store owners who want the convenience and mobility of a cloud-based system, but can’t give up the reliability of a wired POS network. Sounds good? We think so, too. Here’s why you should consider a hybrid tablet POS system for your store:

  1. Versatility: A hybrid tablet POS system gives you all the benefits of a cloud-based system, including real-time reporting — with one essential difference. If your store loses its internet connection, your hybrid tablet POS system will still run, but the real-time updates won’t sync until the internet connection is restored. A hybrid system can be used in any position: with the tablet mounted on a counter or wall or carried on the sales floor.
  1. Ergonomics/Aesthetics: Hybrid tablet POS systems are attractive and chic, but they’re more than just a pretty face. These solutions are perfect for small counters, pop-up stores or other spaces where space is limited. Hybrid tablet POS systems have a small, practical footprint that won’t take up every inch of the counter, so there’s room to display impulse purchase items and gift cards. The checkout line is a customer’s last stop before they leave the store, so a tidy cash wrap with attractive technology leaves a positive, lasting impression as shoppers depart.

 

  1. Scalability: If you are considering a future expansion or need to have more checkouts temporarily, a hybrid tablet POS system gives you the flexibility to easily add terminals and locations to your network. There are no licenses or technicians necessary, it’s essentially a “plug and play” operation. It only takes a few minutes to configure the tablet or mobile device and sync it to the network. Once it’s on the network, the device will be running the same solution, with the same data accessibility.

Choose a hybrid tablet POS that can accommodate multiple peripherals. Star Micronics’ mPOP solution is one of the most comprehensive options on the market. We’ve recently added several new peripheral options, so the solution can be used as a complete check-out in nearly every retail category.

The new peripheral options include:

  • Three Star Micronics scales that can be used in candy shops, farmer’s markets and grocery stores
  • 2D barcode scanner for retailers that want to accept QR code coupons or access item information
  • Two-line, blue backlit customer display that shows shoppers their transaction information as well as advertising messages
  • New cash drawer port that supports an additional external cash drawer for busy shifts

Hybrid tablet POS solutions are a perfect solution for retail store owners who are hesitant to implement a SaaS system due to connectivity issues but want the freedom of mobile POS. A hybrid system empowers store owners and staff with all the benefits of a cloud-based solution, without ever turning away a sale because the internet is down.

For more information on the Star Micronics mPOP solution, contact us!

4 Ways to Prepare for Your New 2018 POS Integration

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For an easy POS integration in 2018, follow these four steps

It’s almost 2018, and a new year means setting sales numbers to zero and making a new start. Position your business to make 2018 a great year by giving your customers the shopping or dining experiences they want while enabling your staff to work smarter, not harder. A new or upgraded point of sale (POS) system will allow you to have the POS integration your business needs now and also gives you some room to grow.

Here are four things to do if a new POS integration is on your wish list this holiday season:

  1. Speak with your staff about what they need to make their jobs run more smoothly.

Talk to your staff to understand their challenges and the technology that can help them do their jobs more easily and efficiently. A retail store’s counter staff and sales associates or a restaurant’s servers and line cooks are on the front lines of dealing with customers and hearing their feedback — especially when your business doesn’t live up to their expectations. Your employees’ input can help you identify which POS integrations are important for reducing wait times, increasing order accuracy and providing a higher level of customer service.

  1. Choose a system with these five capabilities.

When making an investment in a new POS system, ensure it has at least the POS integration capabilities to support these five types of solutions:

  • Sales reporting and analytics: Gain better insight into sales numbers and profit margins, identify top selling items.
  • Inventory management: Maintain proper inventory counts and gain transparency into which store locations have items available.
  • Customer relationship management: Collect important data about customer buying habits and preferences, which can be used as the basis of a marketing campaign.
  • Employee management: Time clock functionality, scheduling, and integrated payroll processing will automate some of the most time-consuming processes.
  • Check out tools: Make sure your POS system integrates with peripherals that help the checkout run smoothly, including barcode technology and fast, accurate scanning capability.

 

  1. Select a dealer partner that will train your staff and provide support so you get the most out of your investment.

Choose a reputable POS provider with a solid track record of success. Before signing on the dotted line, ask what types of training and support services are available. Star Micronics offers top of the line support through its website. Adding functionality to your POS system will require expert training to make sure your staff understands how to use new functions and features and how your business can leverage them to get the greatest ROI. Be sure to inquire about the availability of on-site training, tech support hours, repair services (on- or off-site) and additional support that’s available.

  1. Determine whether you will be using mobile POS, how, and when.

Carefully consider the choice to integrate mobile POS with your POS system. Mobile POS is a reliable way to increase table turn or reduce waiting at the check-out. Servers can take orders and process payments right from the table, which cuts several minutes of waiting for hungry diners. In retail stores, adding tablets or ruggedized mobile devices allows employees to search for inventory or process transactions right from the sales floor. Some retailers may opt to remove some of their traditional cash wraps and replace them with mobile devices, which frees up floor space for additional products. When you upgrade, evaluate whether adding mobile capabilities is a smart strategy for your business.

Star Cloud Services can offer all of these steps and more. After initial set up of your Star Micronics printer, you have a whole suite of tools ready to help improve your business. Star has an excellent support team for any issue that can arise, giving one less thing to worry about while managing your business. Mobile POS is also a large part of Star Micronics printers. We offer multiple printers that can even change from portable to desktop with a simple addition of a charging cradle.

A new POS integration can help optimize operations at your store or restaurant, improve inventory management and ease the workload on employees. If you’re considering purchasing a new POS system or upgrading the one you already own, choose one that enables integrations that automates processes, manage inventory and helps your business run more efficiently. The New Year gives you a fresh start, so make it the best one you can with a cutting-edge technology refresh.