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What Are Epos Systems?

You've probably heard lots about EPOS systems, but how do they work? and how could they help your business? 

No matter your size or industry, an EPOS till system can benefit both the way your business operates and your bottom line.

 

But what is an EPOS system?  How can an EPOS system benefit your business? What are the differences between a retail EPOS system and a hospitality EPOS system? To find out the answers to these questions and more, keep on reading.  

What Is an EPOS System?

EPOS stands for Electronic Point of Sale and these are state-of-the-art systems that are designed to make running your businesses easier than ever. EPOS systems are broken down into two key parts. 

 

EPOS Hardware 
These are the actual things you can touch. The screen, the cash drawer, and any add-ons you may want to include such as card readers, barcode scanners, and weighing scales.

 

EPOS Software 
The software is what powers your system. It's where you will be able to process transactions, manage your inventory and view insightful reports through one device. 

 

EPOS systems are able to operate standalone or integrate with others to form a larger network and their versatility makes them perfect for multiple business environments. For example, if you're running an online retail business then you can set your EPOS system to easily integrate with eCommerce software and include add-ons such as barcode scanners and scales. 

 

If you need an EPOS system for your busy bar then you can tailor the software to your venue's specific seating plan, create different menus such as happy hour deals, and pair them wirelessly with card readers to offer table payments. 

What Is an EPOS System Used For?

EPOS systems are able to carry out a variety of tasks to help you run your business more efficiently. 

 

Processing Transactions 
Probably the most obvious use for an EPOS system is to quickly take and process payments. This centralises the ability to accept electronic payments, calculate costs and print a receipt for your customers. EPOS also allows you to take payments in person, online, over the phone, and even directly through social media and more traditional online marketplaces. 

 

Managing Your Inventory
With real-time inventory management built into the system, you will know exactly how much inventory you have, what your hottest-selling products are, and identify ones that aren't so popular. 

 

Tracking Customer Data 
Your system will store valuable customer data allowing you to build a profile on them which can then be used to personalise your marketing directly towards them.

 

Generating Insightful Reports
With the amount of data your EPOS system collects you will be able to dig down into what makes your business tick and gear future strategy around your findings.

 

Staff Management 
Every staff member can be given their own unique login which can then be used to track clock-in and out times, timesheets and performances. 

 

What Are the Advantages of an EPOS System?

So now you know what an EPOS system is and what it can do, but how exactly can it help your business? 

 

Grow Your Profits

 

EPOS boosts your profits in many different ways, some less obvious than others. Firstly, if you're upgrading from a cash register you will see that it hugely improves the speed you can take and process sales. More sales means more profit. As everything is computerised, costly errors will be kept to a minimum as correct pricing and required change will be built into the system and clearly displayed to your staff.

 

With EPOS you will also be able to tap into new revenue streams and diversify your audience. EPOS can connect directly to leading food delivery apps and with food delivery in the UK alone being worth a staggering £10.5 billion, is this really a market that you can afford to miss out on? 

 

eComm software can also be easily integrated and some EPOS systems will even allow you to sell directly via social media platforms as well as more traditional online marketplaces. 

 

Improve Your Staff Management

 

Each staff member can be given a unique log in which is going to help improve overall staff management in numerous different ways. The clock-in-clock-out feature will help you track how many hours each staff member has worked with pinpoint accuracy. You can also integrate accounting software into your EPOS system making payroll a breeze. This can also help you effectively track any extra pay your staff may be entitled to such as overtime, bonuses, commission, or tips. Some EPOS systems come with the ability to manage staff rotas. 

 

The reports that your EPOS system generates can give you some deeper insights into your staff being able to see who your top performers are and who may need some extra support. With insightful and easy-to-access reports, you will be able to identify peak hours which can help you staff smarter and prepare certain items that are popular at these times. 

 

Boost Your Efficiency

 

Long, laborious and tedious, stock takes are now a thing of the past as everything is centralised through your EPOS system. Real-time inventory reporting gives you accurate insights into your inventory letting you know the value and the location of items. 

 

If you have 6 bottles of chardonnay on the bar with another 10 in your stock fridge then the EPOS system will be able to identify where they are and when they need replenishing keeping all of your staff members informed at all times. 

 

Some EPOS systems can even be programmed to automatically re-order stock that is running low.

 

Increase Customer Loyalty

 

With just a few pushes of a button, you will now be able to easily see information about who your customers are, what they are buying and how much they are spending. All of this data can be used to create personalised marketing emails and SMS messages which are going to grab the reader's attention and make them take action.

 

Does Sarah the vegetarian love your margaritas? Why not let her know that Friday happy hour is two-for-one cocktails? Maybe don't send her your promos for Wednesday's steak night though. You can even build your loyalty scheme directly into your EPOS system without the need for physical loyalty cards. 

 

Integrate Your Payments With Ease

 

People now have an expectation when it comes to how they want to pay. EPOS systems typically come with card terminals as part of the package which seamlessly allows you to take electronic payments from cards, phones and other electronic devices. 

 

Serving a table of 8 who all want itemised bills? No problem. Hospitality-focused EPOS systems make splitting bills a simple task, keeping things running smoothly and your guests happy. Having all of this already linked to your EPOS system, combined with the already-mentioned accounting software means that your end-of-day cash-up is now as simple as ever. 

What Are the Different Types of EPOS Systems?

Not all EPOS systems offer the same features and one may be more suited to your business than others. 

 

Below are the three main types of EPOS systems available. 

 

Traditional EPOS Systems 
Perfect for businesses with a larger workforce and for those that have a bigger inventory and process a lot of daily sales. 

 

Tablet EPOS Systems 
Tablets offer more flexibility allowing you to utilise EPOS technology in your venue or on the move and can still integrate with additional hardware. 

 

Mobile EPOS Systems 
If your business is mobile then these systems are perfect for you. They may even come integrated with a card reader combining payment and EPOS technology in one handheld device.

 

Be sure to check out another one of our posts if you want to learn more about the different types of EPOS systems. 

Compare The Best EPOS Deals

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You could save £1000s

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Do you already use an EPOS system?

Our form only takes 60 seconds to complete.

Compare prices from these merchants:

Our Partners
  • Active Workspace Limited
  • CommercialExperts.com
  • Cybertill Limited
  • EPOS Now Exc
  • EPOS Now Limited
  • Fiserv (Europe) Limited
  • Take Payments Limited
  • The Good Till Co Limited Trading As SumUp Payments Limited
  • Toast Inc
  • WorldPay (UK) Limited
  • Yumapos UK Limited
Our Products
  • Business Accountancy
  • Business Epos Systems
  • Business Telephone Systems
  • Commercial Waste Collection
  • Digital Marketing
  • Fleet Tracking
  • Invoice Finance
  • Merchant Accounts
  • Website Design

FAQs

Your Questions Answered

EPOS systems can help increase your efficiency in several ways, some of which are listed below:

  • Serve more customers faster 
  • Automatically re-order low-quantity stock
  • Centralise hours worked and wages owed to staff
  • Streamline stock takes 
  • Identify peak hours and staff accordingly 

This will all depend on what system and provider you choose to go with. Some providers will charge you upfront installation costs whilst others won't.

 

A smaller, more basic singular system will come in far cheaper than multiple top-of-the-range with additional hardware add-ons. 

Cloud computing in EPOS is where the information collected by your EPOS system is stored online as opposed to locally on the system itself or self-hosted servers. 

This can be quite a difficult task as each business has different needs. Some things you may want to consider though are: 

 

  • Costs - Are there any additional monthly fees?
  • Support - Is it 24/7?
  • Features - Do they meet your specific needs? 
  • Contract Length - How long do you have to commit to the provider?

 

Remember that it pays to shop around. To get a range of free, non-committal quotes from some of the UK's leading providers just tap here.

If you're a small business then an EPOS system can help you in many ways. EPOS systems allow businesses to:

 

  • Grow their profits 
  • Enhance their customer service & loyalty 
  • Boost their efficiency 
  • Adopt more accurate inventory management 
  • Improve their overall staff management 
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Read more about how to save your business money
Benefits an EPOS System Could Bring to Your Business

In today's competitive business landscape, it is more important than ever for businesses to have a system in place that can help them operate efficiently, effectively, and profitably. EPOS systems, or electronic point-of-sale systems, can provide businesses with several significant benefits, including improved efficiency and productivity, reduced costs, improved customer service, increased sales, and better decision-making.Four Benefits of EPOS Systems for Your BusinessesEPOS systems are computer-based systems that help businesses manage sales, inventory, and customer data. They have become increasingly popular in recent years, as businesses of all sizes have recognised their benefits. Suppose you are considering implementing an EPOS system in your business. In that case, there are several factors to consider, such as the size and type of your business, your budget, and your specific needs.  Make sure you do your research and compare different EPOS systems to find the best one for your business. Here are three of the biggest benefits of EPOS systems for businesses:1. Improved Efficiency and ProductivityEPOS systems can automate tasks such as order taking, payment processing, and stock management. This can free up staff to focus on more important tasks, such as customer service and sales. In addition, EPOS systems can also provide businesses with real-time data on sales, inventory levels, and customer trends. This data can be used to make better decisions about everything from pricing to staffing levels.2. Reduced CostsEvery business could do with cutting its costs, and using an EPOS system can often be a way of doing just that. For example, they can help to reduce shrinkage and fraud. They can also help businesses negotiate better deals with suppliers by providing them with accurate data on their purchasing habits. In addition, EPOS systems can help businesses reduce their labour costs by automating tasks. This can be especially beneficial for small businesses with limited staff resources.3. Better Decision-MakingEPOS systems can provide businesses with valuable data that can be used to make better decisions about everything from pricing to staffing levels. Businesses can use EPOS data to identify which products are selling well and which products are not. They can also use EPOS data to track customer trends and identify new market opportunities. Overall, EPOS systems offer a number of significant benefits for businesses of all sizes. They can help businesses improve their efficiency and productivity, reduce costs, improve customer service, increase sales, and make better decisions.4. Loyalty Rewards for Your CustomersEPOS systems can be used to implement and manage loyalty programs in several ways. They can be used to track customer purchases and award points, allow your customers to redeem rewards, and send personalised offers and promotions to loyalty program members. A loyalty scheme is easy for customers to join and participate in and can be made flexible enough by an EPOS system to adapt to the changing needs of your business and its customers.Get an EPOS System for Your Business Overall, EPOS systems can be a valuable tool for businesses that are looking to implement and manage their business better.  By using EPOS systems, businesses like yours can create loyalty programs that are more effective and engaging for their customers. Don't delay, click the start free quote button

Best EPOS Systems in 2024

It is essential that your business is equipped with the right tools to drive sales, boost your profits and take you to the next level in 2024.  This is why we have put together a list of some of the best EPOS systems in the UK.  Whether you're just starting out or are looking to switch to an EPOS system that better suits your industry, this page has something for you. What Is the Best EPOS System?As you will see in our list that's coming up, although all providers offer a similar service, some are more suited to your business than others.  A few quick things to consider include your budget, your industry, and the size of your business, EPOS PricingEvery provider is different when it comes to how you will pay for your EPOS system. Some may only offer software meaning you will have to source the hardware yourself elsewhere. Others will include everything in one convenient package. You may have to pay money upfront to one provider whilst others may only charge you a monthly fee.  Another type of pricing that you will have to consider is if they offer a payment solution and if they do, what fees will you be paying for this, as these can quickly add up. For example, one provider may offer you a £0 upfront cost and a flat card rate of 2.5% with a £15 monthly rental fee for the terminal. Another may charge you an initial fee of £200 but with a flat transaction fee of 1.5% and only £10 per month for the terminal.  Although it may be tempting to avoid any upfront costs, if the transaction fees are higher and you process a lot of payments, paying that £200 will soon look like the better option.Top 5 UK EPOS SystemsOK, so here we are, the Top 5 UK EPOS Systems.  The terms "best" and "worst" are subjective. What works for you might not work for someone else, so we won't be ranking EPOS systems in a specific order. Instead, we have selected 5 different EPOS providers and described how each one can help a particular kind of business. We're going to let you know who they're best suited for, the prices, why we think it will be a great fit for you and any pros and cons that come with these providers. 

EPOS System for Restaurants

What Is An EPOS System?An Electronic Point Of Sale system (EPOS) is a modern way for your business to manage its sales. Unlike a traditional Point of Sale (POS) system, an EPOS system works by linking up each of your business processes to the same computer system, making them easier to manage and, more importantly, creating smoother customer service. Where a POS system requires a more hands-on approach with things like taking orders from your customers, an EPOS system makes processes like this easier, relieving a lot of the common daily stresses and mishaps that can occur in a busy environment.How Could An EPOS System Benefit Your Restaurant?The hospitality industry is fast-moving, and your restaurant needs to stay on a level playing field with its competitors. Adopting an EPOS system could help you do just that. The right EPOS system could ensure that your waiting staff can contact the kitchen at the touch of a button, easily take orders from a customer, and adapt to situations quickly. An EPOS system could also benefit you as the owner, as it would allow you in-depth insights into how your business is performing, enabling you to fine-tune your processes accordingly.  1. Improved CommunicationThe enhanced communication offered by an EPOS system can almost eliminate human error. The complexities of kitchen management, the uncertainty of paper tickets, and the difficulties of front-of-house confusion can all be addressed by a system that streamlines multiple lines of communication and reduces the margin of error.2. Access Deeper Business InsightsImplementing an EPOS system can allow you to closely monitor your business processes more easily than you've been able to previously. Because an EPOS system tracks, logs, and analyses each of your business processes, you can track stock, spot wastage, and calculate profit with ease. Knowing this information can enable you to boost your profitability and cut down on waste. 3. Payment FlexibilityEPOS systems allow your staff to carry modern wireless card machines with them, allowing them to easily take payment in a variety of ways, such as contactless payment, Apple Pay and Google Pay. This improves customer service and means all of your payments can be taken quickly and easily. How Much Does A Restaurant EPOS System Cost?The cost of implementing an EPOS system for your restaurant will depend on the provider you go to, as well as how much equipment you require. Some restaurants only require EPOS computer software, whereas some require multiple tablets, card machines, and cash drawers.  Some providers require money upfront, whereas others charge a monthly fee. It's important to assess both the advantages and disadvantages of each EPOS provider as doing so will likely save you money in the long run.