EPOS hardware should be selected around the environment and workflow, not simply bought as a bundle. Kitchens have heat and grease, bars have liquid and limited counter space, while retail counters may need scanners and customer-facing displays.
Core till equipment
Terminal
Check operating-system compatibility, screen size, touch responsiveness, available ports and whether the unit is designed for continuous commercial use. If reusing a Windows computer, verify its specifications and support status before installation.
Receipt printer
Confirm paper width, connection type and compatibility with the cash drawer. Ethernet printers are useful when the printer is not beside the till; USB is simple for a single directly connected counter.
Cash drawer
Check physical dimensions, note compartments, key availability and the connection used to trigger opening. The drawer commonly connects through the receipt printer rather than directly to the computer.
Card terminal
Confirm whether payments are entered manually or integrated with the EPOS software. Integration can reduce amount-entry errors, but check whether it locks you to a processor or contract.
Hospitality additions
- Kitchen or bar printers
- Splash-resistant printer covers where appropriate
- Customer or order collection display
- Handheld ordering devices
- Bump screen or kitchen display system
- Caller-ID or online-order integrations for takeaways
Plan printer routing before purchase. Hot food, cold food and drinks may need different destinations.
Retail additions
- Barcode scanner
- Label printer
- Customer-facing price display
- Weighing-scale integration where applicable
- Stock-counting device
Test scanners using the barcodes you actually receive. Damaged, small or reflective labels can behave differently from demonstration stock.
Network checklist
Document:
- Router location
- Wired Ethernet points
- Wi-Fi coverage at every device location
- Guest Wi-Fi separation
- Internet failover if required
- Static or reserved printer addresses
- Network administrator access
Where practical, use wired connections for fixed tills and kitchen printers. Do not place business-critical equipment on an unrestricted public guest network.
Power and cabling
Allow for enough protected sockets without daisy-chained extension leads. Consider an uninterruptible power supply for the router, main till and network equipment. A short outage should not corrupt a transaction database or leave staff without a working counter.
Order the less exciting items too:
- Correct-length network and USB cables
- Cable labels and clips
- Spare receipt rolls
- Spare printer power supply where appropriate
- Cleaning materials approved for the equipment
- Drawer keys stored securely
Compatibility questions
Before ordering, obtain written confirmation of:
- Supported operating system and version
- Printer models and connection methods
- Cash-drawer voltage and connector
- Scanner configuration
- Card-terminal integration
- Warranty and replacement process
- Driver availability
- Who provides support when two suppliers are involved
Plan for failure
Identify the single component that would stop trading if it failed. If one receipt printer also opens the only cash drawer, that printer is a critical dependency. A tested spare may be inexpensive insurance.
Keep a simple hardware register with serial number, purchase date, warranty, location and configuration notes. Test replacement procedures before a busy shift.
Once the equipment list is settled, follow the EPOS setup guide and include every item in your total cost comparison.