A POS monitor is one of the most important tools at the cashier’s workplace. The comfort, speed, and accuracy of the cashier’s work depend on the IT team or business owner making the best possible choice in this regard, apart from hiring the right person, of course.
The fewer the delays and errors at the cash unit, the better the customer experience. this could make a difference in revenue earned by the business in the long run. There is a fairly wide range of POS monitor models, including the commonly used 12-inch monitors and 15-inch monitors with and without a touchscreen. In this article, we will look at how to make the right choice when looking for a monitor.
POS monitor as part of a POS system
A POS system is a compact industrial computer with specialized cash register software installed and a variety of specialized peripherals connected. The main element is a POS computer.
A fiscal registrar, a cashier’s monitor, a barcode scanner, and an arbitrary set of other peripheral devices are usually connected to the system unit, which depends on the field of activity and the characteristics of a particular outlet: a programmable keyboard with a reader, a mouse, electronic trading scales, a cash drawer, a customer’s advertising display, acquiring terminal, receipt printer
POS systems require the installation of a dedicated POS monitor. Do not use a regular monitor from an office or home computer at the checkout. It is not designed for the loads that a POS monitor experiences daily: power surges, high humidity, aggressive liquids, large amounts of dust, temperature changes, drops, and shocks.
Home appliances in these conditions are unstable and often break down. And each freeze or breakdown of the monitor at the point of sale leads to downtime of the workplace, queues, a decrease in customer loyalty, and a drop in revenue. To avoid all this, choose specialized POS monitors: they work flawlessly in a store for many years.
Types of monitors for POS systems
POS monitors are most often installed in retail stores, cafes, restaurants, food courts, and reception desks. POS monitors are especially relevant in those places where high performance of the cash register is needed in order to cope with a large flow of customers and heavy accounting programs like 1C. Let’s look at the main characteristics of POS monitors that can affect your choice.
With or without a touchscreen
Most cashier workplaces are equipped with non-touch screen monitors, but the demand for touch models is growing and they will become more popular in a few years.
Monitors without a touchscreen are inferior in convenience and speed of product selection. However, with low or medium throughput of the cash point, this is not critical, and their price is 1.5-2 times lower.
Touch monitors are becoming more accessible and familiar. At the same time, they increase labor productivity, as well as reduce the total cost of the workplace by combining the functions of two devices: a monitor and a programmable keyboard.
Two classes of monitors use liquid crystal screens. In touch monitors, an additional layer is applied on top of the main screen – the touch panel.
With different connection type
According to the connection method, there are monitors with VGA, HDMI, DVI, mini Display Port, and some other interfaces. The main connection type in POS monitors is the VGA interface. Gradually, it is being replaced by more modern interface ports.
Touch monitors have another connection – a USB interface. It is required to transmit the signal from the touchpad to the POS computer.
The presence of a card reader
Some modifications of monitors contain card readers – magnetic card readers. They are used to authorize cashiers and work with customer loyalty cards.
How to choose a monitor for a POS system
When choosing a POS monitor, you should pay attention to several factors. Let’s consider them.
1. Touch or non-touch: If you have a selling point with a large bandwidth, choose a touch POS monitor. It will allow the cashier not to be distracted by the keyboard and serve customers faster. If the cash register is not heavily loaded and there is a desire to save money, choose a regular POS monitor without a sensor.
2. Screen size: Choose a monitor according to the area of the workplace and the intensity of the flow of customers. The more customers, the faster they need to be served, and the more important it is for the cashier to quickly navigate the interface of the cash register program: more function keys can be placed on the large screen, and the signatures for them are larger in size and they are better seen without stress, which means the speed of the operator higher and fewer errors.
For such cash registers, the optimal screen size is 15 inches diagonally. If the flow of customers is low, the functionality is small, and the working space is limited, you can choose a small monitor with a size of 10-12 inches.
3. Installation method: There are models that are installed directly on the counter on their own monitor stand – they are suitable mainly for spacious checkout areas. Most modern POS monitors are equipped with special holes for mounting on a vertical surface.
To do this, instead of a stand, a special VESA-mount is attached to it, which allows you to firmly fix the monitor on the wall and adjust its angle of inclination. This installation method is convenient for the cashier, as it allows you to free up the work area and place scales, a stationary or built-in barcode scanner, a bank payment terminal, and other peripheral devices on the counter.
4. Type of business: For a restaurant, coffee shop, canteen, or grocery store with bulk goods, you should choose a monitor that is better protected from dust and moisture and is easy to clean. If the monitor will be installed directly in front of customers, it is better to choose the most durable monitor, enclosed in a metal or strong plastic case.
Conclusion
In order to make operations at your business’ cash counter faster and easier, select high-quality and modern equipment from suppliers who offer adequate warranties and after-sales services. Also, the system recommendations listed above would be a good place to start.
