Our retail EPoS systems include both till-based systems as well as PC-based systems with or without a touch screen. Browse through the list of retail shop EPoS systems above for full details. You can Buy Online or Call us on FreeFone 0800 634 9898. Also see our EPoS Systems Buying Advice below.

Why are Primemark's EPoS systems so much cheaper?
Firstly, due to the large volumes of EPoS hardware we supply all over the UK and elsewhere, we command better purchasing prices direct from the manufacturers so we can pass on the savings to you, the end-user. All our EPoS systems are brand new, boxed with full manufacturers warranty, original Microsoft Windows XP license, all cables / power supplies included and supplied with 12-months telephone support on a UK FreeFone number as well as by email. On-site installation and staff training services are available - please call us to discuss your EPoS system requirements and for an instant quote.

Secondly, the EPoS application software usually forms one of the highest component costs in an EPoS system. We dont have the expensive development overheads of writing and maintaining bespoke EPoS software ourselves. The Windows-based EPoS software in our PC-based EPoS systems is an established off-the-shelf international product that is in use at thousands of sites all over the world and due to the large number of users, it can be included at a very affordable price.

Main Differences between the EPoS Systems
Most of our PC-based packs feature the Wasp Quickstore EPoS software package - a feature-rich EPoS software package that is very easy to setup and operate. All Primemark's retail EPoS systems include a receipt printer, barcode scanner and cash drawer.

Click on each of the systems above for a full specification. Below is a summary of the main differences.

With the T500 retail EPoS system, you will require your own Windows PC. You can install the Quickstore EPoS software and connect the 3 EPoS hardware peripherals to your PC.

The T1000 retail EPoS system is a complete solution with hardware and EPoS software running on a conventional mini-tower PC with keyboard, mouse and flat-panel LCD monitor (NOT a touch screen). An optional stand-alone touch screen can be added to this package if required.

The main difference on the advanced EPoS systems is the integrated touch screen computer - touch screen systems are much easier and faster for staff to use, take up less space, look smarter and there are less cables involved.

The Sharp UP820 retail EPoS system is a modern, till-based system with advanced features including stock control, barcode scanning and incorporate a 6" colour touch screen. Although it is not Windows-based, it provides a wide range of functionality, permits multiple tills to be networked together readily and is offered at a sensible price.

The T1500 retail EPoS system is a complete touch screen solution featuring the Posiflex Jiva 8000 touch screen system which comes with a 12-month return to base warranty and QuickStore EPoS software.

The T2000 retail EPoS system is a complete touch screen EPoS system solution which features the latest Posligne Galeo touch screen system which provides a 3-year manufacturers warranty, including on-site service (UK mainland) for the 1st year with a next working day response. It also comes with the QuickStore EPoS software.

The T3000 pack is a complete touch screen EPoS system solution which features the advanced Posligne Odysse touch screen system with its sleek design that is available in a choice of colours with matching receipt printer. It has a much faster Intel processor. It comes with a 3-year manufacturers warranty, including on-site service (UK mainland) for the 1st year with next working day response. The T3000 includes the new advanced Metrologic Quantum laser barcode scanner as standard and the QuickStore EPoS software.

A barcode label printer, mobile stock taking computer and other types of barcode scanner are optionally available with each of the EPoS systems. Also see our Retail Weighing Scales.

EPoS Hardware Only?
If you have your own EPoS software or wish to use another EPoS software package such as Sage Point of Sale, we can still supply compatible EPoS hardware including cash drawers, receipt printers, keyboards, barcode scanners and touch screens. Our EPoS hardware prices are much lower than most EPoS software suppliers due to the high volumes we ship. Contact us for an EPoS system quotation. You'll be surprised at how much money you can save on the exact same EPoS equipment!

Networking Multiple Terminals
You may have multiple workstations (PC's or touch screen terminals) networked together on your EPoS system at one store. For pricing on the additional stations, peripherals and software licenses, click on your required EPoS system above and then scroll down to the options at the bottom of the page. Alternatively, Contact Us for a EPoS system quotation.

Our EPoS systems can either be till-based or PC-based solutions running under MS-Windows. We can provide all the required components including the EPoS software, touch screens, cash drawers, receipt printers, point of sale barcode scanners, mobile barcode scanners for stock taking, accessories, consumables and other related items as well as full staff training and support services.

All our EPoS systems can be implemented quickly and cost effectively. EPoS software is availablle for simple self-installation or with our support services including installation, configuration, staff training and ongoing support/maintenance.

Finance facilities, if required, for larger system installations can be arranged through Natwest / Royal Bank of Scotland Group.

FREE EPoS SYSTEMS BUYING ADVICE

Call us on UK FreeFone 0800 634 9898

to discuss your Retail EPoS system requirements



Also read our EPoS System Buying Guide below

Retail EPoS Systems - Buying Advice

Our retail shop EPoS systems fall into 2 types:-

(1) Tills / Cash Registers

Tills provide a low-cost solution for small and medium sized retail stores. The various components - the software, the keyboard/keypad, the receipt printer, the cash drawer, the operator display and customer display - are all integrated into one neat unit that requires one mains power point.

A medium-specification till system for a shop with integrated cash drawer, receipt printer, journal printer, operator display, customer display panel, and a barcode scanner with stock control can be implemented for less than £600 (+vat).

Cash Tills / Cash Registers provide good basic functionality in terms of registering sales, printing the receipt and operating the cash drawers. Some of the more sophisticated tills support barcode scanning, stock control and can be networked together. They are also able to provide sales analysis, stock control and management reports to show revenue, product performance, product-category performance and staff performance.

Some people still have an old-fashioned perception of a cash till as a large, mechanical machine. However, the current high-specification range of modern computerised electronic cash registers can offer sophisticated functionality in a sleek design with integrated stock control, barcode scanning, 2-station printing, VAT/tax tables, stock re-ordering and much more.

Advanced features including support for promotions like mix and match, buy 2 get 1 free, discounts, links to a kitchen printer, data link to a PC or compact flash card, customer accounts and staff security levels and multi-level pull-down menus for product selection.

On machines like the Casio TE-2200 and Sharp UP800/UP810, the cash drawer section can be dismantled from the main cash register for under-counter mounting. This provides a more sleek looking cash register which can be fixed to your retail counter, using less space and looking much better.

With a cash register, you can either just punch in prices to register sales transactions and print a receipt or you can setup all your products and related information before use. The former method provides you with an instant EPoS solution, the latter will involve some initial time but yield more meaningful sales, management and performance reports.

The disadvantage of tills is that there are only handful of major manufacturers (Casio, Sharp, SAM4S, Olivetti etc) so choice is limited, the software features are hardcoded into the machine so features cannot be readily customised, updated or enhanced and new machines are only released every few years, the character-size limits for product/category descriptions is limited, and the machine (or individual components within the machine) cannot be readily upgraded - it has to be replaced entirely. The advanced cash registers also usually require an experienced person to do the setup and programming, which may not be straightforward on some machines.

If the EPoS system requirements of a retail business are basic and the budget is limited, then cash registers provide an affordable, low-cost EPoS solution for almost immediate implementation.

Click Here to see our full range of cash registers

(2) PC-based EPoS Systems

Most PC-based EPoS systems, due to the larger size of the screen, are easier for shop staff to use and more user-friendly. Well-designed EPoS software will only present the operator with the buttons/options relevant to the immediate task they are performing, so it means staff can interact faster with the EPoS system and provide faster service to your customers with greater accuracy and fewer errors. A touch screen provides a further advantage.

PC-based EPoS systems usually consist of separate components - cash drawer, receipt printer, barcode scanner, display pole, magstripe reader etc. This means you can choose the specification of individual EPoS hardware components. For example, you may want a larger-capacity cash drawer or a faster receipt printer, or a different design barcode scanner. An EPoS system with modular components allows you to make these choices.

You can either use a normal PC with a normal VGA or touch screen monitor attached to it, or you can use an integrated touch screen system. On the latter, the PC components (motherboard, processor, memory, hard disk) are usally integrated into the touch screen monitor or in a base unit attached to the monitor. This provides for a much neater format as there are fewer cable attachments and helps give your retail shop a tidy appearance. Integrated touch screen systems also give your store a more modern, sophisticated look.

The cost of an integrated touch screen EPoS system is usually determined by 4 major factors:-

(a) the brand - which usually reflects the quality of the design, the durability and reliability of materials used internally and externally, and the warranty/service options available.

(b) the performance specification - the processor, memory and hard disk configuration.

(c) the size of the touch screen (12", 15", 17" etc)

(d) the additional peripherals attached (eg. magstripe reader, fingerprint sensor, dallas key reader etc).

Obviously the EPoS equipment from established international manufacturers with higher specification and on-site support will cost more than lower-specification equipment from less-established suppliers.

From Primemark, a basic shop EPoS system (EPoS software, receipt printer, cash drawer, barcode scanner) for use on your own Windows PC starts from around £675. A complete system with hardware and software starts from around £1160.

Most touch-screen EPoS systems are Windows-based, so it means anyone with basic Microsoft Windows knowledge and experience can connect and configure the various components - receipt printer, cash drawer, barcode scanner and so on. A few systems (eg. the Casio QT-6000, Sharp UP-800/UP-810, Sharp UP 3500) use a proprietary operating system and software.

As for installing the shop EPoS software, this usually depends on the software vendor. The more established, widely-used international EPoS software packages can be readily installed by most users themselves, even on a multi-user network. The less established packages will not have such streamlined installation procedures, and may require attendance by an engineer or remote-access to setup and configure. In either case, for a multi-user system, the tasks of network cabling and configuration of workstations to connect to the network, will most likely require an experienced PC professional to perform them.

Most EPoS software packages have a set startup routine, either via on-screen 'Wizard' or following through a User Guide, to setup the reference data. This would include items such as staff login names, passwords, security levels, product manufacturers, product categories, product details, barcodes, pricing details, supplier details, stock information - current stock levels, minimum/maximum stock levels. It may also include defining requirement such as VAT/tax tables, layouts of forms/reports, and other operational characteristics.

Depending on how extensive your product range is, you will need to allow anywhere from a few hours to a few days to perform the setup of the reference information. Some people are put-off EPoS systems by this lengthy initial exercise, but if it is considered as a one-off investment, the ongoing benefits well outweigh the cost and time of setup.

Many off-the-shelf EPoS software packages are intuitive and very easy to use. Most users who have basic MS-Windows application software experience can figure their way around the EPoS software, consulting the on-line help where necessary, and work out how to perform the common tasks on first use. Less established EPoS software from smaller vendors or more sophisticated systems from larger vendors may be more complicated to setup and operate, and a staff training session may be required.

Generally, EPoS software, provides a much wider range of management reports related to stock, sales, staff, suppliers, profit and customers. The ability to print to an A4 printer, with either charts and graphs or statistical reports and summaries, as well as the facility to transfer data between sites and to a head office gives it a considerable advantage over cash registers. Combined with the cosmetic advantage it gives your store, the ability to choose and vary individual EPoS hardware components, the easier use for staff, the faster throughput for customers and the upgrade path to grow with your business, you should try to opt for a Windows-based EPoS system unless your requirements are very basic and/or your budget is very restricted.

 

EPoS System Components

In our standard retail EPoS systems, we have chosen popular EPoS hardware components which are suited to most requirements. However, you may wish to consider changing some of the individual EPoS hardware components in the package based on the considerations detailed below.

Touch Screen

The size of touch screen you choose for your retail EPoS system will depend on your personal preference as well as how much information appears on each screen. If you are operating a small cafe with a handful of drinks and a small selection of sandwiches, then a 12" screen will be sufficient. If you have many products, and your EPoS software displays or collects more information, you should opt for a 15" or 17" touch screen.

The difference in footprint (how much space it uses on your counter top or desktop) is not that significant between the different screen sizes, but it will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer based on the design. Remember to check the dimensions of the touch screen, base unit and other components of your EPoS system to ensure you can accomodate them in the available space you have.

If you intend to flush-mount your EPoS touch screen into the counter horizontally, then obviously checking the dimensions of the touch screen and the angles through which it can be adjusted becomes very important.

If your retail environment is polluted (eg. dust) or there is excessive dirt (food, drink) on the operators fingers, make sure your chosen EPoS touch screen uses the correct technology to minimise damage and facilitate accurate operation. See our Touch Screen section for guidance.

Cash Drawers

Most EPoS cash drawers designed for UK currency have 4 note compartments (for £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes) and 8 coin compartments (for 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2 coins). Some cash drawers have extra compartments for slips/cheques. Cash drawers vary in build quality, overall size and cash holding capacity. Check these parameters are suitable for your business requirements.

The cash drawers we supply with our EPoS systems are automatically opened by the EPoS software, with a cable connection to the PC or via the receipt printer. Some cash drawers can also feature a sensor so the software can detect when the drawer is open or closed. Cash drawers with an RS232 interface are designed to connect directly to the PC. Cash drawers with an RJ interface connect via receipt printer. Manual operation cash drawers (with a push button) are also available. Although most cash drawers are provided with a key, we do not recommend using the key for constant operation as it will eventually twist and break. The key is designed to lock the drawer at the end of a shift.

Cash drawers are also available in mini or micro sizes where space is confined, as well as smaller flip-top formats where the cash is accessed from above and the lid folds out. Casing colours vary between beige/white, grey and black. Some flip-top cash drawers are available in a silver coloured lid.

Receipt Printers

Receipt printers for EPoS systems are generally available as mini thermal printers or mini impact (dot-matrix printers) with a print width between 57mm and 80mm. Thermal printers print onto thermal paper using a heated print head and dont require any ink ribbons/cartridges. They are also very fast, silent and are capable of printing text and graphics at high speed. Impact printers require an ink ribbon or ink cartridge, make a noise while printing, and may have limited character/graphics capability.

Impact printers are more useful for kitchen printing, where thermal paper may not be suitable due to heat/moisture. They are also suited where a higher quality permanent print is required or where you wish to print onto slips, vouchers, coupons, 2-ply or 3-ply stationery.

Recently, colour inkjet receipt printers are also becoming quite popular however, depending on the volume of receipts you print, the cost of replacement ink cartridges should be taken into account..

There are many brands of receipt printer on the market. However as receipt printing is such a critical operation which could stop your store from trading if it fails, we generally recommend the 3 main brands Epson , Samsung Bixolon and Star Micronics. The Epson TMT88IV is a very widely used thermal receipt printer throughout the retail industry. The Star TSP100 and TSP600 series are also very popular and proven choices. The Samsung Bixolon SRP350 and SRP370 are also used widely.

If you will be printing graphics on your receipt such as your logo, or using it also for kitchen printing (eg. chinese characters), then make sure your chosen EPoS printer supports these features.

If your EPoS software supports it, receipt printers can also provide an auto-cutter facility so the receipt is automatically cut when printed so it can be simply lifted off the printer. The alternative tear-bar versions require you to tear-off the receipt manually which can slow you down in a busy retail environmet or, if not pulled correctly, could tear into the printed portion of a receipt. Auto-cutter printer operation is faster and more reliable.

For the EPoS systems provided by Primemark, we will ensure the chosen receipt printer has the correct interface for the connection to the PC. If you have your own PC equipment, you should check the interface ports available on your hardware before choosing either USB, RS232 Serial, Parallel or Ethernet interfaces. If you will be using your own EPoS software, you should also check which interfaces it can support.

Barcode Scanners

Barcode scanners for EPoS systems can either be hand-held units that can be used by hand and with desktop stand, or they can be fixed-mount units placed on or integrated into a counter.

Laser barcode scanners with wider read heads will scan more items faster and accurately. CCD barcode scanners will require careful close alignment with the barcode and may sometimes require several scan attempts.

See our section on Barcode Scanners for further advice on choosing the right barcode scanner for your EPoS system.

If your EPoS software supports it, you may also wish to consider using a mobile PDA with barcode scanner for stock taking.

Credit Card Processing

Established EPoS software packages provide a software module to authorise and process credit/debit card payments, in which case you can connect a Chip and Pin Terminal or Pin Pad directly to your EPoS system. It will connect to the bank either by a dial-up modem and phone line, via an internet connection or through WiFi or GPRS.

If your EPoS software does not provide card processing, then you can operate an independent Chip and Pin Terminal alongside your EPoS system. You will use the terminal to authorise card payments and then record the payment method on your EPoS software. The summary report from your terminal and the payments reports from your EPoS software should be matched at the end of each shift.

Forms & Reports

If you will be using your EPoS software to print forms and reports, you may also require a conventional A4 desktop printer for your EPoS system.

Barcode Labels & Tags

Many EPoS software packages allow you to generate and print your own barcode labels / tags for your stock. If you intend to use this facility, you will require a barcode label printer and appropriate stationery. See our section on Barcode Printers for advice.

You can either print standard tags with product description, price and barcode, or using Primemark's range of advanced colour label printers such as the Primera LX400 or LX810, you can print full-colour barcode labels with photos and graphics.

Customised Retail EPoS Systems

The above EPoS systems which we have put together as package solutions are among the most popular configurations requested by our retail customers. However, we can also tailor an EPoS system and make a package for your own requirements. Call us on FreeFone 0800 634 9898 to discuss your EPoS system requirements or use the Contact Us form.

See our list of EPoS terminals which includes the IBM SurePos range as well as other leading brand electronic point of sale equipment.

Primemark only supplies EPoS hardware and peripherals from the major international brands backed with warranty and support. There are plenty of clones of top brand EPoS equipment available, however, use of these lower quality EPoS hardware products an be a false economy if it exposes your retail business to operational risks in the event of failure and/or reduced performance and reliability. We recommend only choosing EPoS hardware products from established manufacturers that has been tried, tested and proven - at Primemark, due to the high volumes we ship, these top quality EPoS hardware products and EPoS systems are available at exceptionally low prices.

Related EPoS Products:-

Restaurant / Hospitality EPoS Systems
for restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs, sandwich shops, nightclubs, hotels, bakeries and delicatessen

Salon EPoS Systems
for hair dressers, hair and beauty salons, nail salons and spas

Integrated Touch Screen EPoS Systems
wide range of integrated touch screen terminals with integrated PC for use with your choice of EPoS software

EPoS Software
for retail, restaurant and salon use

Cash Registers
full range of Sharp, Casio and SAM4S (Samsung) cash registers and tills

Touch Screens
12" 15" 17" and larger touch screens for various application including retail, hospitality, office and industrial use as well as kiosks for public display applications and exhibition use