The right POS system hardware determines how efficiently your team handles transactions, inventory, and daily operations. Each piece of equipment, from terminals to scanners, affects speed, comfort, and reliability at the counter and in the back room.
Our goal is to help you select hardware built for your real environment. By focusing on durability, compatibility, and ease of use, we make sure your POS setup performs smoothly day after day.
What Types Of Hardware Should You Look At First?
The layout of your counter sets the rules before you even pick a device. If you are crammed against a wall or built into a tight corner, a large monitor or bulky pole display may not make sense. A customer-facing screen that points at a shelf or another machine will also not help anyone.
At Cheers POS, we start helping you by asking these questions:
- How much counter space do you actually have?
- Where do customers stand in relation to the terminal?
- Is there room for a separate customer display?
Additionally, your staff matters just as much. Older team members often prefer a larger screen with less glare so they can read text easily. Younger staff are usually more comfortable with smaller, smartphone-style displays and are less bothered by glossy screens. Matching the screen size and finish to your team keeps everyone more relaxed at the register.
Key Takeaway: Hardware should fit your counter and your people. If the screen is hard to see, the display faces the wrong way, or devices fight for space, even the best software will feel frustrating.
Choosing Devices for Back-Room Inventory Work
Because our system is cloud-driven, you can log in from many devices. The real question is which option lets you work the fastest without extra steps. In the back room, that often comes down to how your screen, scanner, and keyboard work together when you are counting inventory.
Tablet vs. Laptop for Inventory Counts
A tablet sounds convenient, but the workflow can slow you down. You scan an item, bring up the on-screen keyboard, tap into the number pad, type the quantity, and confirm. That turns into multiple taps for every line.
On a traditional laptop riding on a small cart, you can pair a wireless scanner, scan the item, type “2” on a physical keyboard, hit enter, and move on. Over hundreds of items, that difference in steps becomes very real.
Checking Scanner Compatibility
You also want to confirm that your device plays well with your scanner. If you plan to use a Zebra or other Bluetooth scanner, make sure your tablet or laptop connects reliably and stays paired during a full shift.
The right POS system hardware should let you move smoothly through counts and adjustments without constant reboots, pairing issues, or reconnects.
Pro Tip: Before you commit to a mobile setup, run a real test. Walk the aisles or back room and scan 20 items using your proposed device and scanner. If it feels clunky in a short test, it will only feel worse on a full inventory day.
Need expert help with POS system hardware? Contact Cheers POS for a free consultation.
Practical Hardware vs “Cool” Gadgets
We meet a lot of owners who love the idea of being the “tech-forward” store. They buy tablets, kiosks, and extra gadgets because they look modern. Over time, many of those devices end up in a drawer because they do not actually make the work easier. In some cases, phones have replaced tablets for quick reference, and the real heavy lifting still happens on a solid terminal or laptop.
When we help you decide, we ask simple questions. Does this device help you ring faster, count faster, or manage inventory better? Can your staff use it with one or two steps instead of four or five? If the answer is no, it might be a nice-to-have, but not a must-have.
Bundles, Support, And Card Reader Security
Hardware is only as good as the support behind it. We offer bundles that we have tested in real stores, so we know the pieces work together. Our goal is to stand behind major units for five years or more. When something breaks under normal use, you should know who to call and what coverage you have.
You may ask any provider:
- How long do you support the devices they sell?
- Do you handle repairs or coordinate with the manufacturer?
- What happens when a unit fails on a busy day?
Card readers have an extra layer of concern. Credit card devices carry encryption that is tied to your business. They usually cannot be reused by another owner. If you exit the business or sell the store, those units should be replaced so your data does not stay on hardware in someone else’s hands.
Key Takeaway: Good hardware is not just about specs. It is about tested bundles, long-term support, and clear plans for how card readers are deployed, replaced, and retired.
Work With Cheers POS To Choose Hardware That Fits
The right mix of terminals, displays, scanners, tablets, and card readers can make your store smoother to run, easier to train, and more secure. We use our experience with real retail and liquor environments to match devices to your counter space, your staff, and your workflows. Our focus is on practical choices, proven bundles, and hardware that we are willing to stand behind.
If you want help choosing a POS system hardware that actually fits the way your store operates, we are ready to step in. Contact Cheers POS today to schedule a demo, review hardware options, and build a setup that supports your team from the counter to the back room.
