Point of Sale Equipment: Keyboards and touch screens
One of the first choices you will have to make about your point of sale equipment is whether to go with a touch screen or a programmable keyboard. Most businesses choose touch screens. The only market where keyboards are more popular is grocery stores, where the ability to program individual keys for specific item codes and prices is appreciated.

Touch screens are more intuitive to use than keyboards for many users. They also provide more flexibility in the user interface and programming. Most touch screens sold these days are based on flat-screen LCDs instead of traditional CRT monitors. While LCD touch screens are slightly more expensive (typically $600 - $1,000 instead of $400 - $500), they last longer, use less electricity, and take up less space. They also look much better. With both CRT and LCD displays, avoid "overlay" touch screens that are added on to regular monitors - they are more prone to breakdowns and add an unnecessary complication to your system.

When it comes to keyboards, some models are standard 101-key models that you find with any computer. Others are smaller, more POS-specific devices, such as the flat-panel membrane keyboards common in fast food outlets. Often, POS keyboards come with built-in magnetic stripe readers for processing credit cards. Programmable keyboards usually go for between $150 and $300.

No matter which you choose, make sure you consider the environment where it will be used. Both keyboards and touch screens are available with varying levels of spill- and dust-proofing.

Point of Sale Equipment: Scanners
All scanners work in the same basic manner, reading a bar code and sending the resulting numbers back to the computer. They typically connect to the system through Y-connectors called wedges that make them function as an extension of the keyboard. Bar code scanning improves speed and accuracy during checkout.

Low-end scanners are based on charge-coupled device (CCD) technology. These scanners are inexpensive, but usually have a very short range - the item being scanned needs to be 1 to 3 inches from the scanner. In a typical retail setting, that should be fine.

Laser scanners, which use a beam of light to read bar codes, offer better scanning ability with the ability to scan at longer distances. Some laser scanners are "autosensing," meaning they turn themselves on when an item is placed in front of them, scan the code, and then turn off again. Omnidirectional scanners send out 15 or 20 lasers simultaneously, letting you scan a bar code from any angle. And the top of the line are embedded scanners, which are omnidirectional scanners that are installed below a counter, as is common in supermarkets.

Choose a scanner based on your customer volume. If you do not usually have more than a customer or two in line, CCDs or entry-level laser scanners should meet your needs. A fairly constant flow of customers might call for an autosensing model, and very high volume businesses should investigate omnidirectional or embedded scanners. Prices range from below $100 for the most basic CCD scanners to $350 or more for omnidirectional laser scanners.

Point of Sale Equipment: Handheld terminals
The latest type of input device is the handheld, wireless terminal. Essentially a PDA, each handheld terminal wirelessly transmits orders back to a base station. A distinct advantage for restaurants is that they increase the amount of time servers spend on the floor taking orders and interacting with customers, because they never have to go back to a terminal to enter orders.

Newer still are write-on handhelds: instead of trying to compress a touch-screen interface onto a tiny PDA screen, these devices allow servers to simply write the orders down. Handwriting recognition software parses the order then sends it on to the kitchen and bar as needed.

Handheld terminals are understandably more expensive than traditional touch-screen order terminals. However they can make up for the cost by allowing your servers to spend more time upselling more desserts and drinks. If you are evaluating handheld terminals, make sure you ask about the "drop test" - units are rated for toughness according to how much of a fall they can survive. To find out if your business is a candidate for handheld POS terminals, compare multiple POS equipment vendors to learn what products and services they offer.

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