Tablet point of sale: the hardware

A tablet till comes down to four elements: an Android tablet, the till app, a backup power supply and, if you print receipts, a Bluetooth thermal printer. Everything else — stand, case, data plan — improves comfort but does not condition how it works.

• • An Android tablet of about ten inches, battery in good condition.
• • A power bank or a small UPS against outages.
• • A modest data plan, for the backup.
• • A Bluetooth thermal printer, if you print receipts.
• • A case and an angled stand to protect the whole setup.

The right choice depends mainly on three constraints: power, network and counter space. Here is how the three families compare, without going into prices — they vary too much from one supplier to another.

In a shop where power and network are irregular, the tablet wins on the two criteria that matter most: it keeps running when the electricity cuts, and it does not depend on a permanent connection if the software works locally.

An Android tablet is enough. Look for a screen of about ten inches, enough RAM for the app to stay smooth, and free storage for product photos and local backups.

A recent entry-level model suits better than an old high-end one. What wears out a till tablet is not the work demanded, it is the battery and the number of charge cycles.

Three criteria weigh more than the others when choosing:

• • The battery: a capacity that lasts a day of selling, and a possible replacement.
• • The screen: about ten inches, readable in strong light.
• • The system: an Android version still supported, to receive security updates.

The setup is done in one go. In this order, it avoids discovering a problem on opening day.

1. 1. Fully charge the tablet and the printer.
2. 2. Install and open the till app.
3. 3. Enter the shop, the currency and the language.
4. 4. Load the catalogue and the prices (a first batch is enough to start).
5. 5. Pair the Bluetooth printer and print a test receipt.
6. 6. Make a test sale, then cancel it.
7. 7. Check that the backup is active and goes out at least once.
8. 8. Place the stand and keep the power bank within reach.

The test sale is the step most often skipped, and the one that avoids the most trouble: it confirms in a minute that the till opens, the receipt prints and the total is right.

Power cuts are the norm, not the exception. Provide a power bank or a small UPS, and keep the tablet charged at the end of the day rather than letting it drain.

Avoid unplugging the tablet mid-backup. If you do not know when it runs, leave it plugged in for a few minutes after closing.

A modest data plan is enough: the backup only sends the day's changes, usually once a day. Tethering from a phone helps out when the dedicated line drops.

Test the connection at least once a week. A backup pending for weeks ends up weighing, and you always notice at the wrong moment.

A Bluetooth thermal printer does the job for till receipts. Check that it accepts the paper format you can easily find locally: it is the consumable that costs, not the printer.

The choice of hardware also depends on the software: our till software for tablets in the DRC works without a permanent connection, which changes what to demand from a tablet.

Always keep a spare roll. A receipt that cannot be printed at the moment of payment is a source of pointless argument.

A case and an angled stand protect the tablet and stop it falling off the counter. Keep it away from direct sun and heat sources: a hot tablet slows down and its battery ages faster.

The price of a tablet till depends on four items, and it is rarely the tablet that decides the final bill.

• • The tablet: a recent entry-level model covers the need.
• • The printer and its paper: a recurring cost not to forget, often underestimated.
• • The software subscription: monthly, it replaces buying a licence to keep updated.
• • The accessories: case, stand, power bank, data plan.

So the useful question is not “how much does the tablet cost”, but “how much does a till that does not stop cost”. The details of the plans are on the Pricing page, and the comparison of modules on Features.

A tablet that is too old, with a battery that lasts an hour. A single tablet with no up-to-date backup, which loses everything if it breaks or is stolen. Leaving it plugged in permanently in a hot place. And buying the printer first before testing the app.