POS Hardware Explained

Equipment Reference Guide

A collection of the various equipment we use and explanation of it's purpose in your point of sale system.

POS Hardware

Terminal
Cash Drawer
Receipt Printer
Card Reader
Terminal
A Terminal is a specialized computer system used to manage sales transactions in a retail or hospitality environment. This is the heart of your operations when operating the OrderCounter POS software.


Cash Drawer
This hardware component is used to store the cash for transactions. The drawer is typically located under the Terminal and can be locked to provide security for the money inside. The cash drawer can be opened from OrderCounter by using the "No Sale" function.

Receipt Printer
This device is used to print receipts or other types of documentation in retail, hospitality, and other business environments. These printers are typically connected to a Terminal or Cash Drawer and are designed to print receipts quickly and efficiently. They are typically connected to a cash register via a RJ-11 (Telephone) Cable and connect to the terminal directly using a printer cable or through the network using an ethernet cable.
​

Card Reader
The card reader is used to read payment cards, such as credit or debit cards, during a sales transaction. The card reader is typically connected to the Terminal or Switch, and it enables the merchant to accept payments from customers who use payment cards. We do not store information from these devices.

​

Networking

Router
A router connects the local POS network to the internet or to other networks. The router is responsible for routing data between the local network and external networks, ensuring that information is delivered to the appropriate destination. The router controls your connection to your internet. 

TP-Link TL-MR6400 4G Wireless Router Black
Switch
A switch connects multiple Terminal, Card Readers, Receipt Printers, and other peripherals to create a local area network (LAN). The switch is responsible for routing data between devices on the network and ensures that information is delivered to the appropriate destination. Unlike a Router, a switch does not provide a network connection but connects them.
Ethernet Cable
An Ethernet cable connects various devices, such as Terminals, Card Readers, Receipt Printers, and Routers, to each other and to the network. Ethernet cables use a standard interface called RJ-45 and are designed to provide high-speed data transfer rates over relatively long distances.
Telephone Cable
Telephone cables to connect peripherals such as printers or card readers. This is because some older systems were designed to use the same cabling infrastructure as telephones, which made it easier to install and maintain the system. You will mainly see telephone cables used to connect Receipt Printers to Cash Drawers.
​
Printer Cable
A printer cable is a type of cable used to connect a terminal or card reader to a Receipt Printers. The cable is typically a serial or USB cable, and it allows the Terminal or Card Reader to send print commands to the Receipt Printers.
​
 

    • Related Articles

    • Quick Reference Guide

      Control Panel Transaction Management Tips & Tills Editing Menu Items Editing Categories Create New Type Sets Create New Option Sets Add Sets to Items Multi-Item Edit Recommended Item Sets Editing Modifier Text Add Timeset to Category Adding ...

    • What are Order Types?

      Order types change how the system behaves. For example, if you choose “Takeout,” the first screen will ask you to choose a customer. If you choose “Table order,” it will ask you to choose a table. This is an important part of the system and should ...

    • Creating Menu Categories

      “Menu Categories” are groups that contain Menu Items, the buttons used to actually sell an item. Each menu item must belong to a Category To manage Menu Items, go to Control Panel > Menu management > Menu Categories (Create / Edit) You can display up ...

    • Adding & Creating Menu Buttons/Items

      Menu items are the sale items available for customers to purchase and are crucial for the daily operations of any retail or food service business. In the OrderCounter Hybrid POS system, these items are organized into categories, facilitating ...

    • Navigating The Knowledge Base

      The knowledge base is where you will be able to find information on OrderCounter and the products and services we offer. Quick Reference Guide This guide is a compilation of essential tips and shortcuts that you might need when daily driving ...