We are the developers of SELLmatix Point of Sale software, and we do not supply or support hardware
ourselves. Our software currently runs in 18 countries and 5 languages, and it would be impossible
for us to handle hardware sales and support worldwide.
There are dealers in some locations who provide turnkey solutions including both our software and
suitable hardware, but an increasing number of users purchase their own hardware and
install their system themselves. This can result in a significant cost saving provided
you know what to buy are are willing to do some configuration work.
Either way, we are constantly asked to recommend equipment and this takes time and effort.
So we created these pages to list equipment and suppliers that we know are good.
However the equipment and suppliers we list are only a small sample of the equipment that
can be used with SELLmatix. There are many other options that will work equally well.
Please Note: Dealers that supply complete systems, purchase equipment wholesale and sell it
to you retail, (just like you do), and often, and often use part of their margin to offset
runup, configuration, support and training costs. If you buy your own equipment, and want a
dealer to install and configure it, you should expect to pay a fee for that service.
Service and Equipment Repair
In the event where you have a problem with your equipment, you will need to contact the company
that supplied it, not us. While we can provide general information on our forum, we can not provide
hardware service, support or warranty claims.
Selection Criteria
- ReliabilityThis is the number one consideration for Point of Sale Systems.
POS systems process high volumes of transactions, often with a lot of dust, dirt and heat.
Having equipment fail is not an option, because if customers are delayed and unable to complete
their purchase easily, there is a risk they wll go elsewere, next time the shop.
This means that the equipment must be much more rugged and reliable than "normal" business or home
computer equipment. Most equipment made specifically for POS by reputable manufacturers meets
this requirement, but equipment from newer manufacturers with relatively unknown brands may not.
Before we recommend a device, we make sure that it is reliable, either from direct knowledge, or
from feedback from dealers and clients.
- Ease of ConfigurationAlmost any POS hardware or computer can be configured
to run SELLmatix. Some equipment can be difficult to configure, particularly old devices that
use an RS-232 interface, unless you know what you are doing.
Of course, being difficult to configure does not mean the equipment is poor quality or
unreliable. But because more and more of our customers are installing systems themselves,
there is some equipment we, (with 30 years experience) could configure blindfolded, that a
retail shop, (or many technicians), would have no chance of configuring.
Therefore, the devices we recommend are devices which are relatively easy to configure and set up,
and where an average local technician would be able to set up reliably.
- FlexibilityMost POS equipment has a long service life, and goes through multiple
configuration changes before it is eventually retired. We won't recommend device that are tied to
a particular operating system, or particular configuration.
For example, almost all systems have their operating system upgraded at some point. And an increasing
number of retail systems switch to Linux, because of its cost, stability and security.
We won't recommend a device unless it has drivers for both Windows and Linux.
Even for users who only use Windows, there are some devices which only have drivers that work
on Windows XP or earlier, when used in certain configurations. That includes some of the most
popular devices, and in certain cases we do note such devices where they are still heavily sold.
- Operating CostThis refers to the cost of using the device, not the purchase price. For
example, there are many Ink Jet printers mostly designed for home use, where the cost of ink is very
high.
With POS devices, particularly printers, the cost of consumables needs to be very low because
of the volume of transactions.
- Purchase CostObviously this is important, however we think that this is about where
it ranks in terms of importance. In our view, the factors above are more important over the life of
the system,
However, there are some exceptions because some very low cost devices have started to appear on
the market in the last few years. For example, there are certain specially designed POS terminals
on the market with touch screens, specially ruggedized, and water resistant which makes them especially
useful in wet areas of bars. We have seen these sold for $US3,000.00 and up.
On the other hand, shortly before this was written, Amazon.com had Dell Duo notebooks which can
be flipped and used either as a Notebook, or a Tablet, with a Touch Screen, for $US500.00 and change.
That means that an establishment that bought the Dell Duo, would have to have it completely destroyed
six times over before they paid the same amount as the purpose built units. We have several customers
who bought the Dell units in the last 12 months, and so far, not one has given any problem.
There are similar savings to be had with Android devices, and using Android Cell Phones to enable
waiters to take orders in post pay restaurants and bars.
- Parts and Repair CostThese days, this is becoming less and less of an issue because the
price of new equipment is falling. In an increasing number of cases, it is cheaper to replace the
device than have it repaired.
However, if you are paying a premium for a high quality device that claims to be specially designed
for retail conditions, you should carefully look at the cost and availability of parts.
If you are using a generic "white box" computer, and the power supply fails, you can get a new power
supply from a local supplier, normally for under $30, and they will have it in stock.
But if you are using a a purpose built, water resistant POs terminal in a custom aluminium case,
none of the parts inside are standard, and normal replacement parts won't physically fit. Since
these are made in small manufacturing runs, the price for parts will be higher, and in two years time,
if the power supply fails, and the manufacturer is building new, different models and they are made
in China, your investment in expensive equipment that will last a long time, might not loook like such
a good idea.
- AppearanceIt is nice nice to have "pretty" equipment, with graphic logos on receipts
and customer accounts, inclusing multiple colors etc. but in our view, this comes last in order of
importance.
Fortunately, you normally can get reaasonable graphical quality, much better than old clunker receipts
and displays for about the same cost as devices offering poor quality output and appearance. For example,
thermal printers offer far superior print quality and speed, plus they quiet and the only
consumable is thermal paper which costs the same as the plain paper and ribbon in
horrible old dot matrix receipt printers. So appearance does count, at least to some extent.
Obviously you are free whatever equipment you want. There are many other options to the equipment
we list that will work equally well, from other suppliers that are equally good. It makes sense
to look around and compare prices and equipment, and doing forget to include freight and shipping
in your calculations.
Some of the links on our hardware pages generate a small commission (around 4%), if you purchase
by clicking that link. If you decide to buy the equipment we recommend from the suppliers we suggest,
we ask you to use these links because that helps to offset the cost of providing this information
and keeping it up to date.
Finally, we have just created an area on our forum (which is currently empty), where you can
review and comment on the hardware you buy. Please post your experience with your equipment, because
in time this will become a useful resource for others deciding what to buy.
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