R Lee
Member
Registered: 15th Aug 03
User status: Offline
|
I have a takeaway and I want to change my current EPOS system in the future.
At the moment, I am running 2 touchscreen PCs with windows XP and a piece of software that handles the ordering side (same as McDonald's, KFC, etc). These machines cost a bomb to replace so...
What other alternatives do you think would be suitable?
Ideally, I'd like to slim everything down. Is there anything in the form of a tablet that could handle it?
Raspberry pi?
Do you reckon an average person (myself) would be able to build something custom to suit?
Software easy enough?
Sorry if everything is a bit vague. Just getting the ball rolling
|
Neo
Member
Registered: 20th Feb 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
|
Loads of epos solutions, most will run on anything and you can just buy a touchscreen. Stuck a system in at a school a while back that uses a couple of dell aio machines that were about £400 each. The epos company were trying to sell their stupid touchscreen machine for about a grand each iirc.
|
DaveyLC
Member
Registered: 8th Oct 08
Location: Berkshire
User status: Offline
|
I believe there are a few hosted ones around, that way you can use any old tablets browser
|
pow
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 06
Location: Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire
User status: Offline
|
I'm building a meal ordering system for my school at the moment that's all sql and php based so it'll run on anything... It's not proving easy but meh. The other solution is to buy a pc like a Dell 3030 that are touchscreen for like £400 instead of the stupid tills and run the software on that.
|
willay
Moderator
Organiser: South East, National Events
Premium Member
Registered: 10th Nov 02
Location: Roydon, Essex
User status: Offline
|
Why do the machines cost so much to replace? do you have a model number to check you arent being spanked?
Does it control a cash drawer too?
Generally the machines are made up of normal hardware and then a large margin.
Fuck building any system by yourself, you need something thats going to work 24/7 and not a home project that will drive you nuts. - thats regarding software btw, hardware can be a little different.
[Edited on 17-07-2015 by willay]
|
willay
Moderator
Organiser: South East, National Events
Premium Member
Registered: 10th Nov 02
Location: Roydon, Essex
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by DaveyLC
I believe there are a few hosted ones around, that way you can use any old tablets browser
Yep they have been doing the hosted ones for a while now, I wasnt convinced back when I saw them but they do serve a purpose. If you do go down this route I would suggest ensuring you have redundant internet connectivity
|
Dom
Member
Registered: 13th Sep 03
User status: Offline
|
Plenty of tablet orientated/hosted EPOS solutions around - Oddo, Good Till, Vend, Shopify, MyCart.
But i'm not sure a hosted EPOS solution is that great of an idea considering the monthly costs, hardware costs (more so if you go down the iOS route) and on top of those you have the issues of being internet reliant.
With a standalone solution, majority of the cash is for the software and (any) support; you can pick up the hardware quite cheaply.
What's the reason for change anyway? Or are you after new features/functionality?
quote:
Originally posted by willay
Fuck building any system by yourself...
This times a billion! 
[Edited on 17-07-2015 by Dom]
|
pow
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 06
Location: Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire
User status: Offline
|
Thanks for the vote of confidence guys
|
willay
Moderator
Organiser: South East, National Events
Premium Member
Registered: 10th Nov 02
Location: Roydon, Essex
User status: Offline
|
better spending your time on other things imo
|
Andrew
Member
Registered: 5th May 04
Location: Skoda Octavia Estate, Ford Puma
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by pow
I'm building a meal ordering system for my school at the moment that's all sql and php based so it'll run on anything...
You have way too much time on your hands
Bit of a challenge mind!
|
Neo
Member
Registered: 20th Feb 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
|
Unless it's massively unique, why reinvent the wheel. Surely school systems like Cunningham's have all the functionality you'd need Dave linking to ipay and doing allowances, free meals, biometrics etc
|
Richie
Member
Registered: 3rd Dec 02
Location: Newport, Wales
User status: Offline
|
http://www.unicentaopos.co.uk/ is something you might want to look at. Can trigger all sorts, can use barcode scanners, scales, cash drawers ect. Will export to things like Sage too.
|
R Lee
Member
Registered: 15th Aug 03
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by Dom
Plenty of tablet orientated/hosted EPOS solutions around - Oddo, Good Till, Vend, Shopify, MyCart.
But i'm not sure a hosted EPOS solution is that great of an idea considering the monthly costs, hardware costs (more so if you go down the iOS route) and on top of those you have the issues of being internet reliant.
With a standalone solution, majority of the cash is for the software and (any) support; you can pick up the hardware quite cheaply.
What's the reason for change anyway? Or are you after new features/functionality?
quote:
Originally posted by willay
Fuck building any system by yourself...
This times a billion!
[Edited on 17-07-2015 by Dom]
Being in this trade for a number of years, The main reason is future proofing myself.
With limited options a few years back, I had no choice but to pay £1300+ for each.
The systems I use now are currently doing fine, with the exceptions of really hot days, which causes a major melt down during busy periods.
The software, although capable at the moment, isn't the slickest.
I don't think I'll end up building one, because I'm too busy, and mainly lack the knowledge
Do any of you guys have any experience with software? How is it tailored to your menu?
If I use a tablet, how would it connect to the cash drawer and printer?
|
Richie
Member
Registered: 3rd Dec 02
Location: Newport, Wales
User status: Offline
|
Plenty of options there. DK Aircash wireless bridges allow you to use conventional RJ11 drawers over wifi/bluetooth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJkKnqr3Pss
Same goes for wifi/bluetooth POS printers.
But you can do it cheaper with a PC to hook it all up to per machine. RJ11 to USB converters are about £10 ect.
|
pow
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 06
Location: Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by Neo
Unless it's massively unique, why reinvent the wheel. Surely school systems like Cunningham's have all the functionality you'd need Dave linking to ipay and doing allowances, free meals, biometrics etc
Because 80% of them are shoddy as fuck and the other 20% don't do all that I want!
|
