Westerners will not be surprised by such a “wonder” as POS-terminals for a long time. However, with us they are not so common. That is why about what it is and how it works, you should tell in more detail.
So, in essence, this is a hardware-software terminal necessary for carrying out
cashless payments with plastic cards. POS-terminals make it possible to automate the work of cashiers, waiters, bartenders, etc. The above machine allows you to carry out trading operations in the same way as a regular cash register. But with all this, the POS terminal has several original "chips."
For example, a device can accumulate data in order to subsequently analyze it and return the results of the analysis to the seller or owner of the enterprise. Users can quickly find a new product in the catalog and find out all the necessary information about it using an attractive convenient interface. There are also multifunctional terminals of a similar type. Their feature is, above all, the ability to connect various additional devices to them.
The standard equipment of POS-terminals includes a PC system unit, a
programmable keyboard, a cashier’s POS-monitor, a
fiscal registrar, card and barcode readers, as well as a customer display.
How it works? The bottom line is simple: the cashier places or passes the card through a reader, then the client enters a personal PIN code to confirm authorization. The device automatically generates and prints a check. At the same time, data about the completed operation are sent to the processing center.
The benefits that POS terminals have are obvious. Firstly, the payment process is automated and becomes much faster. In addition, continuous records are kept. Due to the fact that cash is not used for payment, there is no time spent on collection. Also, POS-terminals exclude the possibility of a cashier accepting counterfeit money. Under some conditions, the installation of terminals of this type can increase sales - customers are much more likely to perceive unplanned purchases. And finally, the client can be 100% sure that there will be no errors when settling with the cashier.
POS-terminals can be both stationary and mobile. Manufacturers of these systems offer a wide range of options for solving a variety of problems. Fixed terminals are most often found in shops and supermarkets. If we are talking about cash desks in retail chains, then it is more expedient to install mobile-type terminals (they are also called PIN-pads).
High-quality devices can be used with equal success even in rooms where there is high humidity, constant temperature fluctuations and a large amount of dust are characteristic - the creators of the terminals provide their products with reliable protection against these and many other factors.
Scheduled maintenance of POS-terminals is necessary in order to maintain the correct operation of systems and extend their life.
The cost of a POS terminal can be different and depends on the complexity of the system. The simplest models cost about $ 100.