PoS PRINTERS
“Within hospitality, the same applies as the printer may need to receive orders and print orders from multiple devices as in the case of online and/or table ordering. However, there are additional considerations including the location of the printer as it can be affected by kitchen equipment such as microwaves, which can interfere with WiFi connectivity. If the printer is in a bar or kitchen, it may need a splash proof cover to protect it or require one with a certified IPX2 rating. In certain kitchens, a matrix printer may be more suitable than a thermal printer and the printer may need to be wall mounted. “Customers are also usually looking for a variety of hospitality or retail hardware that work together; printers, scanners, tablets stands, cash drawers, touch screens and other hardware.” Jay adds that resellers should look at what customers are currently using the with regards to PoS technology and software and find out their ongoing needs before making recommendations on their individual requirements. “There is no one size fits all,” he says. “They should look to work with manufacturers that supply high quality goods and have plenty of products within the channel. They also need to look at previous experiences of the manufacturer to see that they will still be able to supply during shortages. They also need to work with a manufacturer that can provide in-country technical support and has dedicated local service centres in case there are problems at the point of integration or for ongoing maintenance of products. Reputable companies now offer extended warranties on their products for a small additional fee, which can be passed onto the customer for extra piece of mind.”
cost savings on labour and maintenance.” Jay adds that linerless labels are becoming particularly popular in retail, hospitality, logistics and warehousing operations “with the option for differing adhesive strengths depended on the desired application.” Jay notes that another PoS trend is for blue receipting. “Blue receipt paper is an eco- alternative to traditional white paper, which is made without chemicals that can often be found in the latter. This type of media has gained great interest within retail settings such as supermarkets and hospitality. “However, blue paper requires different sensors compared to white papers so often new hardware is required. With the initial cost of hardware often being quite high, BIXOLON has brought out new optical sensor technology on its SRP-380, SRP-350V and SRP-350plusV series, which can auto detect white or blue media and print accordingly without the need for manual setup changes allowing flexibility on media used.” Customer conversations For resellers selling into this market there are plenty of opportunities, but conversations with customers will depend on what they are looking for. “For example, it depends if the retailer is looking to just sell instore or develop an online presence as well,” says Mark. “If a self-service kiosk is required, the choice of printer depends largely on the design of the kiosk and the application. A packaged printer such as the Star mC-Print thanks to its compact design and range of connectivity options is ideal for applications requiring cloud technology. Alternatively, a kiosk printing mechanism, such as the Sanei range of printers, is more suitable for limited space enclosures. Seamless transition The Star mC-Print series offers multiple interfaces in one printer to allow for the seamless transition from traditional PoS to tablet and cloud PoS, enabling remote order printing directly from web and cloud-based apps while handling local print jobs from the point of sale. The Star TSP143IV is USB and LAN out the box but can be upgraded to a WLAN product with a modular device such as the Star MCW10 Wireless LAN module, and benefits from CloudPRNT technology.
Resellers should look at what customers are currently using the with regards to PoS technology and software and find out their “
ongoing needs before making
recommendations on their individual requirements.
”
Jay Kim managing director
bixoloneu.com
printinthechannel.co.uk
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