iPad POS

[mnatalini]

Hi there

I'm opening a new bakery/cafe. Has anyone any experience with iPad POS?

Thank you!

Max

 

[arcon5]

Not any experience with it but a couple of things I'd be thinking about are


how are they secured to ensure they cannot be stolen
how durable are they in that environment, especially when you may have slightly wet hands for example or when your serving quickly and tapping it a little harder than they are designed


A touch screen monitor may be much cheaper and inexpensive if you look at eBay

 

[NextPoint]

If you look at the Apple stores, they use iPads fixed in glass enclosures to make them secure. Hardware isn't a problem - whether it is an iPad or something similar. Have you thought about how you would want your POS to work?

 

[fx7solutions]

I would say that you need to consider two things: backup facilities (will you have a backup of data if your iPad would be stolen or broken?) and back office operations. Speaking about the latter: I don't know how many products/lines you would have in your bakery, but typing in even 100 lines would be faster on standard keyboard I think. We are offering EPOS which works on the PC/touchscreen terminals and have an option to run o iPad/iPhone.

PM me if you want to know more.

 

[connectbiz]

If you have the time, you should check out ConnectBusiness. We have developed a 100% cloud-based iPad POS app that syncs with a robust web app. The iPad app includes point of sale, customer relationship management, real-time inventory tracking, and several other features. It's perfect for a bakery or cafe, as it allows you to operate the store using the iPad, while you can check progress, reports, etc. from anywhere with the web app.

If you're interested please send a PM or check out connectbizapp.com.

Thanks for your time.

 

[sirbrandy]

An iPad POS is a very interesting idea! Would love to see it implemented too. Haven't really seen it done in a real situation but would be great if my business could start using that one.

 

[John_Orcus]

I would be wary of using ipads for POS, for a number of reasons.

Firstly, the touchscreens will not last 5 minutes in an average retail/hospitality environment.

Secondly, they are high on the list of stealable items.

Thirdly, they are unlikely to integrate well with other POS hardware - printers, pin entry devices etc.

Fourthly, they aren't cheap.

The Apple shops use them and I can understand why, although they will have their dedicated software on them, and are probably replaced every couple of months.

 

[businessthinsider]

Hey check out iPadEnclosures .com, they are the industry leader for iPad POS setups. This is a fast growing area, there are tons of great app options, I'd recommend looking through their app library to find the app that would work for your environment. The iPad is an awesome tool, it is extremely durable and will last you a long time, and it is much cheaper than a traditional POS system. Good luck with the shop,

D

 

[Vectis]

I would be wary of using ipads for POS, for a number of reasons.

Firstly, the touchscreens will not last 5 minutes in an average retail/hospitality environment.

Secondly, they are high on the list of stealable items.

Thirdly, they are unlikely to integrate well with other POS hardware - printers, pin entry devices etc.

Fourthly, they aren't cheap.

The Apple shops use them and I can understand why, although they will have their dedicated software on them, and are probably replaced every couple of months.

Just to answer point 1. We have two kids aged 5 and 3 and they share an iPad. If it can withstand the treatment it gets from them on a daily basis then it can certainly withstand being used each day in a bakery.

As to the other points about suitable apps etc, I wouldn't know. But as far as being durable, it's fine.

 

[garyk]

Hmm flourery baps fine, flourery ipads?

Not sure they are durable enough.

 

[Eagle]

I always regarded the iPad as a POS.

 

[AmburApp]

I would be wary of using ipads for POS, for a number of reasons.

Firstly, the touchscreens will not last 5 minutes in an average retail/hospitality environment.

Secondly, they are high on the list of stealable items.

Thirdly, they are unlikely to integrate well with other POS hardware - printers, pin entry devices etc.

Fourthly, they aren't cheap.

The Apple shops use them and I can understand why, although they will have their dedicated software on them, and are probably replaced every couple of months.

1.) I agree with Vectis - Kids are more dangerous than your servers. So far we've had no breakage issues, only one report of theft - and that customer didn't have their iPad safely secured in a case.

That answers #2 - Just get a case.

3.) Ambur integrates with both Star Micronics and Epson printers, both of which are international companies.

4.) Our average client pays between $2,500 and $3,500 USD. No need to worry about monthly fees, and all of the Apple devices can be replaced 7 days a week at your local Apple store.

We already have clients in 17 different countries and all but 5 US states, including England and Scotland.

Download our free demo on the App Store, or check out our website below.

Jeff
1.888.770.2205
www[.]AmburApp[.]com

 

[Nuno]

Interesting article in Quartz about iPad POS
Killer quote:
"Square’s COO has predicted that a majority of retailers in the US will be using an iPad instead of a cash register within 18 months.."

(Quartz is a new, great, biz info site with one the worst WordPress installs I have seen.)

 

[HGSecurity]

I always regarded the iPad as a POS.

I always thought that was the meaning of POS as well

 

[lesliedocherty]

Just to answer point 1. We have two kids aged 5 and 3 and they share an iPad. If it can withstand the treatment it gets from them on a daily basis then it can certainly withstand being used each day in a bakery.

As to the other points about suitable apps etc, I wouldn't know. But as far as being durable, it's fine.

Disagree, don't think it would last a period of time, getting used every day

 

[bovine]

Never underestimate the ability of staff to mess something up! Ipads are fine, but how often do you think you will need to replace them? Our customers of epos systems are generally looking to replace at about 5 -8 years. I cant see anyone keeping an ipad for that long. My first gen ipad runs noticeably slower than it first did and incredibly slow in comparison to my new iphone 5.

The apps and the support is they key. Most of the apps for POS that I have seen are SaaS, so you have ongoing costs. There are some that are currently free in certain configurations (airpos for one). The lifetime cost can actually work out quite a lot higher than a more conventional installation.

Why would you want ipad anyway? Why not an android tablet which is cheaper? Just dont buy the cheapy ones, I broke 2 in a week when testing (my ipad was fine though!)

We have recently installed Casio VX100s, which are an interesting take on this market- its an android based terminal with a built in printer and connections for printers and scanners. Its not cheap, but it is probably a better concept than using ipads. Airpos runs on it quite happily.

My biggest concern is stopping the staff dicking around with other applications when they should be working. I believe iOs has some functions to restrict acccess (aimed at kids really) but not looked at it yet.

 

[JamiePMortimer]

Have a look at mpowa.com (I'm not linked to them in any way) they offer that very solution & are beginning to roll out a chip&pin version. You need a merchant account (or you can get one from them)

 

[JamiePMortimer]

Killer quote:
"Square’s COO has predicted that a majority of retailers in the US will be using an iPad instead of a cash register within 18 months.."

(Quartz is a new, great, biz info site with one the worst WordPress installs I have seen.)

Square have also teamed up with Starbuck in the US to start using their product in their stores.

The same product is available in the UK under mpowa.com & they're starting to roll out a chip&pin pad

 

[gmeyrick]

As far as I'm aware, the nearest thing to Square (and which is available in the UK) is iZettle. I'm a new member so I'm not allowed to post URLs but type "iZettle" into Google and you'll find it.

The software doesn't seem quite as sophisticated as Square (e.g. no receipt printing, no "Square Wallet" equivalent) but, you never know, it might be worth looking into.

 

[JamiePMortimer]

As far as I'm aware, the nearest thing to Square (and which is available in the UK) is iZettle. I'm a new member so I'm not allowed to post URLs but type "iZettle" into Google and you'll find it.

The software doesn't seem quite as sophisticated as Square (e.g. no receipt printing, no "Square Wallet" equivalent) but, you never know, it might be worth looking into.

As per my previous post mPowa is exactly the same. Square even issued a cease & desist order because their advert was identical.

http://techcrunch.com/2012/07/12/square-mpowa-trademark-legal/

 

[MancunianCreative]

I would be wary of using ipads for POS, for a number of reasons.

Firstly, the touchscreens will not last 5 minutes in an average retail/hospitality environment.

Secondly, they are high on the list of stealable items.

Thirdly, they are unlikely to integrate well with other POS hardware - printers, pin entry devices etc.

Fourthly, they aren't cheap.

The Apple shops use them and I can understand why, although they will have their dedicated software on them, and are probably replaced every couple of months.

On point one - were developing an App for a construction company to be used on building sites.

 

[Louie]

Just noticed this topic for the first.

I've been using iPads in my retail store for around 6 months now. Both still working fine and not been stolen (in secure cases attached with a Kensington lock), use with a wireless Bluetooth scanner and linked to a shared Epsom printer via an airport express. Not the easiest to set up but cheaper than most dedicated POS systems. No monthly fees. Can put restrictions on them to stop staff doing anything they shouldn't be. Can do other office tasks on them with out the need for a PC. Take up little space. Low power consumption and run for a few hours if there is a power cut.

Using an app called CASHY-POS. Only down side is stock management if you have more than one till point as they don't share sales with each other to remove from a central inventory although you can transfer product data between them via a desktop.

Use an external chip and pin machine also.