EPOS Now POS System Overview
What EPOS Now POS Offers U.S. Businesses
EPOS Now is a cloud-based POS system designed for retail and hospitality businesses. The platform combines POS software, payment processing, business management tools, and hardware within a modular ecosystem that can be adapted to different operational requirements.
EPOS Now POS comes in both retail and hospitality configurations, allowing these businesses to manage transactions, inventory, reporting, customer information, and day-to-day operations through one platform. Hospitality venues can access tools designed to support ordering workflows, table service, and customer-facing operations. Retail operations can use the platform to manage stock and track sales activity.
The system uses a cloud-based back-office environment, allowing information to be accessed remotely. Sales, inventory, products, and data can all be monitored and updated in real time from compatible devices, without needing to be on-site.
In addition to its core POS functionality, EPOS Now supports a range of third-party integrations, including ecommerce, accounting, marketing, loyalty, staffing, and delivery management. This allows businesses to connect the platform with software already used within their operations, including CRM, email marketing, and accounting software.
How EPOS Now Operates in the U.S. POS Market
EPOS Now operates in the U.S. POS market as a subscription-based platform that combines POS software, payment processing, hardware, and business management tools within a single platform. The system is designed primarily for retail and hospitality businesses, offering functionality that can support newer or smaller operations and growing multi-location organizations.
Its modular approach allows businesses to customise their system with a combination of software, hardware, and services to meet their specific needs. This flexibility allows businesses to deploy a complete system that includes terminals, payment devices, and software, or create a customized setup using their preferred hardware configuration.
EPOS Now combines cloud-based software with a range of hardware options, enabling businesses to process transactions, manage inventory, monitor performance, and oversee daily operations through a centralized system. The platform’s cloud-based back office allows operators to access reporting and business data remotely while maintaining visibility across locations and departments.
To process card and other digital payments, businesses can choose between EPOS Now Payments or compatible third-party processors. This allows businesses to select a payment processor that offers their preferred payment structure rather than being limited to EPOS Now’s native processing infrastructure.
EPOS Now offers a range of integrations through its AppStore. The platform can integrate with accounting software, ecommerce platforms, loyalty programs, staffing tools, delivery services, and other operational applications. This further expands the platform’s functionality, allowing businesses to tailor the system to their requirements.
Typically, EPOS Now is used by small and mid-sized businesses that require a customisable system, sitting between basic payment acceptance and complex enterprise-level systems. As businesses grow, additional hardware, integrations, reporting capabilities, and multi-location management tools can be added to support expansion.
Who EPOS Now Is Best Suited For
Retail businesses: EPOS Now retail POS systems offer features such as inventory management, barcode functionality, reporting tools, and ecommerce integrations. This functionality makes it a suitable choice for retail operations seeking visibility over stock levels, sales activity, customer information, and day-to-day operations.
Hospitality venues: EPOS Now restaurant POS configurations are designed specifically for hospitality businesses. Order workflows, payment processing, and customer-facing systems work alongside hospitality-specific features such as table management and online ordering to support both front-of-house and back-of-house operations.
Growing SMBs: EPOS Now is well-suited to small and mid-sized businesses that require more functionality than a basic payment acceptance solution. Its modular structure allows businesses to add hardware, integrations, reporting tools, and operational features as requirements evolve.
Multi-location operations: Businesses operating across multiple locations can use EPOS Now’s centralized management tools to oversee inventory, reporting, pricing, and operational performance across all sites through a single platform.
When EPOS Now May Not Be Suitable
Businesses with ultra-simple POS needs: Businesses that only require rudimentary payment acceptance and basic POS functionality may find EPOS Now systems overly complex, with many features being redundant.
Businesses wanting flat-rate simplicity: Businesses seeking a highly simplified pricing model may prefer providers that offer fewer configuration options and more straightforward packages.
Very low-volume merchants: Businesses processing a small number of transactions each month may find it difficult to justify the investment in software, hardware, and additional operational tools.
EPOS Now Pricing Model Overview
EPOS Now pricing follows a subscription-based model that combines POS software, hardware, payment processing, and optional support services. Businesses can choose from a range of hardware and software options to build a system that aligns with their industry and operational requirements.
EPOS Now hardware comes in both bundle and single-purchase options. For example, businesses can select from complete POS setups that include terminals, payment devices, receipt printers, cash drawers, barcode scanners, and other peripherals. However, businesses also have the flexibility to purchase additional hardware, including adding terminals as their operations grow.
EPOS Now’s payment processing options also impact the overall cost of ownership, with transaction fees, processing rates, and associated costs requiring evaluation. Businesses can choose to use EPOS Now Payments or connect to compatible third-party payment processors. This gives operators a greater level of control over their payment processing needs, allowing them to find a payment structure that best suits their sales volume.
Businesses should also consider the cost of optional services and integrations. EPOS Now supports a large ecosystem of third-party applications covering ecommerce, accounting, marketing, loyalty, staffing, and delivery management. While some integrations may be free to use, others may introduce additional subscription costs.
Setting up a POS system often involves configuring products, inventory, user permissions, reporting preferences, payment processing, and hardware devices before the system is ready for everyday use. Smaller businesses with simpler operational needs may be able to handle this themselves. Businesses with more complex requirements, multiple locations, or larger product catalogues may require additional implementation support during deployment.
When evaluating all EPOS Now fees, businesses should consider software subscriptions, hardware requirements, payment processing, onboarding needs, and any additional integrations together. This way, businesses can view the system as a complete operating platform, rather than focusing on individual component costs.
EPOS Now POS Features and Capabilities
Inventory management: Inventory management tools allow businesses to monitor stock levels across their operations. Features include barcode management, low-stock alerts, automated purchase orders, and real-time inventory updates, helping retail and hospitality businesses maintain visibility over inventory.
Reporting and analytics: The platform includes reporting tools that provide visibility into sales performance, inventory activity, customer trends, and staff productivity. Reports can be accessed remotely through the cloud-based back office and customized to focus on the most relevant metrics, allowing operators to make better-informed decisions based on real-world data.
CRM and customer management: EPOS Now includes customer management tools that allow businesses to create customer profiles, track purchase history, and manage loyalty programs. Through integrated marketing tools, businesses can improve their customer engagement and retention efforts.
Staff management: Businesses can manage employee activity through role-based permissions, user accounts, a built-in time clock, staff scheduling, and staff monitoring tools.
Ecommerce integrations: For businesses selling online, EPOS Now integrates with ecommerce platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce. These integrations help businesses connect online and in-store operations, synchronizing products, pricing, and sales activity across channels.
Multi-location support: Multi-site management tools allow businesses to oversee inventory, reporting, pricing, and operational performance across multiple locations. This helps growing businesses maintain visibility and consistency as they expand.
EPOS Now POS Hardware Overview
POS terminals: EPOS Now’s countertop POS terminals cover day-to-day transaction processing, inventory management, and business operations. Businesses can also choose dual-screen configurations that include a customer-facing display.
Card readers: EPOS Now payment processing hardware comes in both fixed and portable models, enabling businesses to accept chip, contactless, and mobile wallet payments through a range of checkout environments.
Printers: EPOS Now supports receipt printers and label printers for both retail and hospitality environments. These allow businesses to produce receipts, barcode labels, and operational documents directly from the POS system.
Barcode scanners: Barcode scanners can be integrated into the platform, supporting faster checkout processes and inventory management. Retail businesses can use scanners to track products, update stock levels, and streamline day-to-day operations.
Modular peripherals: Additional hardware options include cash drawers, customer-facing displays, kitchen display systems, staff swipe cards, and other accessories. This allows businesses to expand their setup as their requirements change or additional locations are added.
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US POS System Providers
How EPOS Now Compares to Other POS Providers
EPOS Now vs Square: Both EPOS Now and Square support retail and hospitality businesses. EPOS Now takes a more modular approach, allowing businesses to customize their hardware, integrations, and software functionality. Square instead focuses on flat-rate payment processing and flexible month-to-month plans.
EPOS Now vs Lightspeed: While both providers serve hospitality businesses, Lightspeed is often chosen by businesses that require advanced inventory management, reporting, and multi-location functionality. EPOS Now instead places greater emphasis on hardware flexibility and integrations.
EPOS Now vs Clover: Clover combines payment processing, POS software, and proprietary hardware within a single ecosystem. EPOS Now offers greater flexibility in hardware configuration and payment processing arrangements, allowing businesses to build a POS setup that meets their operational needs.
EPOS Now vs Shopify POS: Shopify POS is designed around ecommerce and omnichannel retail operations, connecting online stores and physical locations. EPOS Now focuses primarily on in-store POS functionality, with configurable hardware, payment processing, and business management tools for retail and hospitality businesses.
FAQs
How much does EPOS Now cost?
EPOS Now uses a subscription-based pricing model that combines POS software, hardware, payment processing, and optional services. Total costs can vary depending on the hardware configuration, payment processing arrangement, number of locations, and any additional integrations or support services selected by the business.
Is EPOS Now available in the US?
Yes. Although EPOS Now originated in the UK, the company operates in the United States and provides POS solutions for retail and hospitality businesses across the U.S. market.
What businesses use EPOS Now?
EPOS Now is used by a range of retail and hospitality businesses, including retail stores, restaurants, cafés, bars, and multi-location operations. The platform is designed for businesses that require tools for inventory management, reporting, payment processing, and day-to-day operational oversight.
Does EPOS Now include payment processing?
Yes. EPOS Now offers its own payment processing solution, EPOS Now Payments. Businesses can also connect compatible third-party payment processors, providing additional flexibility when selecting a payment processing arrangement.
How does EPOS Now compare to Square?
Both EPOS Now and Square support retail and hospitality businesses, but they take different approaches. Square is generally associated with simpler deployment, flat-rate pricing, and flexible month-to-month plans, while EPOS Now offers a more configurable platform with a broader range of integrations, hardware options, and operational management tools.
Is EPOS Now suitable for restaurants?
Yes. EPOS Now offers a hospitality-focused POS platform designed for restaurants, cafés, bars, and other food-service businesses. The system includes tools that support ordering workflows, payment processing, inventory management, reporting, and other hospitality operations.
