The UK's Best EPOS Systems

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What is an EPOS System?

EPOS stands for Electronic Point of Sale and is the umbrella term for hardware and software that helps businesses to process payments more efficiently.

Computerising a business at the point of sale has many advantages, including making the entire process highly efficient, eliminating almost all human error and automating what can often be time consuming practices, such as stock control.

EPOS hardware used to mean the traditional till and complementary products (receipt printers, PDQ machines) but today can encompass more modern solutions like iPads and tablets.

Features of Top EPOS Systems

As EPOS technology has continued to improve, so has the system’s capabilities. What was once little more than an electronic till has become a multifaceted web of technology, although the best systems are intuitive and simple to use. How complex a system is will depend on a business’s requirements.

Features include:

• Easy to use Payment Devices
• Inventory Management
• Shop Floor Management
• Reporting
• Special Offers and Membership

Easy to use Payment Devices

Crucial to any bricks and mortar business selling goods or services is the point of sale itself. For businesses with a high turnover of customers, such as high street shops or restaurants, it is essential to provide an efficient method through which customers can pay. EPOS card processing devices are the most popular method of payment equipment, but new technologies, such as Apple Pay, are fast catching up. Electronic tills, with touch screen interfaces, are also a great way to process purchases quickly. This is particularly the case in busy bars that need to process large and complicated orders.

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Inventory Management

Inventory management used to be the part of running a business that owners disliked the most, but staying on top of stock levels is an absolute must. By tracking inventory, businesses can be updated in real time, meaning essential stock may never run out. What’s more, some EPOS can be used to automatically purchase certain products when they run low, saving time and reducing the risk of problems in this area.

Shop Floor Management

This feature is particularly important for businesses in the hospitality sector. Restaurants, for example, can manage seating, take bookings and reduce waiting times for customers. It is also possible to ensure that all patrons are served in a timely manner. Another great advantage is that all orders can be sent directly to the kitchen or bar, speeding up the process and producing a faster turnover in busy premises.

Reporting

Highly specified reporting on all areas of a business is extremely helpful in all sectors relating to EPOS systems. For restaurants, management can see which meals are selling best at which time of the day, month or year. On busy shop floors, staff management can be informed by well-crafted feedback that can help tune business practices and customer interaction. Management can also ensure that theft can be monitored at a minute level.

Special Offers and Membership

EPOS systems make cultivating special offers and membership schemes extremely straightforward, and some software is designed with highly specified features. Retail clothing outlets have used such technology to its advantage for some time by providing loyalty schemes and special offers for members. This is achieved by collecting personal details, such as email addresses and phone numbers. These schemes have helped outlets track shopping habits and provide individualised offers that encourage customers return frequently when, for example, new lines have been added.

Best EPOS Systems by Industry

The retail and hospitality industries are to EPOS as bread is to butter - it would be wrong to consider one without the other! But as the technology develops, so does the number of sectors that employ such systems.

Large warehouses can track goods in minute detail, often using EPOS systems in combination with RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags, which read the movement of vehicles and inventory in real time. The same goes for taxi firms, where touch screen interfaces provide easy to read data for management, making the entire procedure highly efficient. Whether it be health providers, event management or even outdoor markets, EPOS systems can be implemented to great effect.

Developments of EPOS

As EPOS capabilities grow and the technology becomes more affordable, it can be helpful to keep an eye on any new developments in the field. Payment options, such as Apple Pay and other mobile phone payment technologies, are always seen to be pushing the boundaries as to what the technology can do.

Another area that is fast growing is the chatbot, which can be integrated into existing EPOS systems and offer an automated marketing system to customers, both old and new. This can entail reminders of appointments, informing customers of special offers and just keeping your business in the mind of your customers. As the mobile phone has become an ever present in most people’s lives, this can be a powerful tool when implemented correctly.

Best EPOS System Providers

There are many EPOS providers to choose from, but it is important to ensure you choose the right one for your specific needs. Many businesses make the mistake of employing too complex a system, or just a poorly designed one.

Some of the most highly regarded EPOS providers include:

• World Pay
• Intelligentpos
• EPOS Now
• Honeywell
• EPOS Direct
• First Data Merchant Solutions
• Touchbistro
• WASP
• Intelligent Retail
• 3SPOS
• Point One

Worldpay

One of the pioneers of the industry, Worldpay are also one of the most popular EPOS providers on the planet. From simple card payment machines to virtual terminals and payment gateways, they remain a highly trusted source of systems, software and devices for businesses of various sectors. Worldpay are particularly suited to SME (Small to Medium Enterprises, which has led to them becoming ever present in just about every country in the world.

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EPOS Now

One of the new kids on the block, it was founded in 2011, EPOS Now have rapidly grown to become an industry leader within the retail and hospitality sectors. System designs are complex enough to be implemented for large corporations with various EPOS needs, yet the technology is so intuitive that even a beginner can be trained in a matter of minutes.

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Honeywell

Honeywell have a rich history in the industry. After being founded more than 100 years ago, they steadily built a reputation on trust and word of mouth that remains to this day. Working in a variety of sectors, they provide affordable stand alone products and integrated systems for businesses of all shapes and sizes. With a premium on reliability, they are generally thought of as one of the most cost-efficient suppliers available.

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EPOS Direct

EPOS Direct garner consistently positive reviews from users, which is largely due to their hugely impressive customer service team. 24-hour support from anywhere in the world means businesses that employ EPOS Direct systems can always rely on a fast and professional service, whatever the problem is. Such peace of mind has led them to become a popular supplier in almost every corner of the EPOS world.

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First Data Merchant Solutions

Another global giant, First Data are often the provider that comes to mind when people mention affordable EPOS systems, products and services. It is this focus on small business needs that has seen them grow so quickly over the last two decades since their founding, although that is not to say that larger enterprises cannot benefit from their huge range. Whether it be simple chip and pin card readers or complete systems for the health and beauty sector, they are able to provide bespoke services with excellence.

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WASP

Once known purely for their barcode scanners, WASP have developed into a highly thought of EPOS system provider in the last few years. Simplicity and sleek designs are key to their success, as well as affordability and a scalable model that is welcomed by small businesses with limited EPOS requirements. Customer service has always been a part of the WASP brand and they have ensured this remains the case as their reputation for EPOS systems has grown.

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Intelligent Retail

Intelligent Retail are known for supplying easy to use EPOS systems for businesses with little or no experience with the technology. This has led them to design bespoke systems that perfectly complement the needs of their customers, matching the scope of the system to the business’s needs. After several awards over the past few years, they continue to provide quality and innovation in both technology and services relating to EPOS systems.

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3SPOS

Founded at the start of the 21st century, 3POS have remained at the cutting edge of the retail and hospitality industries with their innovative EPOS systems. Easily integrated designs means that businesses can link up every part of their businesses, from payroll to floor management, meaning less headaches, while human error is all but eliminated.

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Point One

With a focus on the hospitality sector, Point One have designed highly specified EPOS software and systems that can be used to great effect across the entire sector. With perfectly balanced systems for hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs, they have grown in reputation and scope over the last few years. Even theatres and outdoor venues have benefitted from Point One’s software and hardware designs.

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