POS System With Scale: Reviews
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directly integrated weight Scale function. In businesses like self-serve Frozen Yogurt, Candy Shops, Bakeries, Salad Bars, and some Cafeterias customers pay by weight for purchased items. In such businesses, integrated POS scale expedite the sales process by automatically ringing up weighted items and calculate the total amount. Since the POS systems automatically reads the weighs the items palced on the scale, employee error or deliberate shrinkage is eliminated. So you can handle big line of customers in a very short time. Naturally, different operations will require different types of scales based on on-the counter needs including size and functional needs.
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A POS system that’s able to print barcodes lets grocery stores and other retailers create UPC labels for products sold by weight. However, there are many situations where printing a barcode isn’t practical, so the clerk has to enter the weight manually for the POS system to calculate the price.
An alternative is to use a POS system with scale capabilities. This automates checkouts in many situations and improves the accuracy of transactions, among other benefits. Here’s a look at the best features of connecting a scale to a retail POS system.
Digital POS scales are weighing devices that are specifically designed for use with point of sale systems. As such, these hardware components come with one or several connecting ports, which are used to connect the scales to the POS terminal.
Once connected to the right peripheral devices in your POS, the scale will automatically calculate the price of each item you weigh; based on its weight.
Step-by-Step: How to Connect a Scale to Your POS System
The process of setting up a scale to work with a POS system has five basic steps:
- Choose the hardware: Typically, this will include a printer such as Epson’s T88V-i thermal internet printer and a digital scale such as the Brecknell 6710U checkout scale that connects to the printer via a serial interface. Also required is a PC, laptop, or tablet that’s on the same network as the printer.
- Connect the scale and printer: Using the appropriate plugs and ports, you will connect the two devices.
- Configure the scale: Make sure the scale is set to the correct mode type, which is usually Type 5. When the printer is turned on, it will print the network IP address automatically.
- Configure the printer: Following the printer instructions, you will set up the device to your specifications.
- Configure the scale: Open the POS app on the PC, laptop, or tablet, and follow the instructions in Settings to configure your scale. The scale is now ready to use with the POS system.
Special Considerations for Grocery Store POS Systems
One feature that sets grocery stores apart from other retailers is the perishable nature of their inventory, A POS system for grocery stores has to accommodate managing an inventory that changes frequently, often has a limited shelf life, and includes items such as produce that aren’t amenable to tracking via UPC barcodes.
By using a POS system with attached scales, grocery stores are able to improve the customer experience and ensure inventory is tracked accurately by automating the process of calculating prices based on a product’s weight. This is especially important considering that most groceries have multiple checkout stands that may be staffed by part-time or temporary workers with little experience, such as high school students working evenings or weekends.
To improve ease of use, many scale-enabled POS systems provide checkout clerks with a picture and description of items so the employees don’t have to worry about entering the correct code for items that are sold in bulk. After selecting the product shown on the POS display, the system calculates the item price based on weight and prints the weight, unit cost, and final price on the receipt.
Scale-enabled POS systems also meet the needs of workers in the grocery’s delicatessen by automatically generating labels showing the weight, price, and barcode of items that have been weighed on the scale.
How Grocery Stores Can Keep Pace with Heightened Customer Expectations
Like most retailers, grocery stores rely on repeat business for their success. These days, offering the same-old grocery store experience may be driving some customers away. Young consumers in particular have come to expect more personalized shopping experiences. Customers of all ages want to have more control over their transactions, including payment methods and automated processes that keep the checkout line moving.
Using scale-enabled POS systems is one of many aspects that grocery stores must consider when looking to upgrade their business processes. The first step is to conduct a technology needs assessment to determine which of the store’s operations are bogging down. The assessment also considers which POS features will generate the most return on investment while staying within the store’s budget.
Considering the relatively low price of POS-connected scales, the ease with which they are installed and used, and the productivity boost the devices provide, it’s likely that grocery stores will find a POS system with scale capabilities is a worthwhile investment. These are among the benefits of using a scale-enabled POS checkout terminal:
- Fewer price checks: In addition to replacing long lists of UPC codes for fruits and vegetables with pictures selected via touchscreen, the systems eliminate many of the time-consuming price checks that slow the checkout process for customers and employees.
- Fast processing of multiple payment methods: Today’s tap-to-pay and other automated transaction feature also make it simpler to process coupons, apply customer loyalty and other discounts, and accept government food assistance vouchers and payment cards.
- Up-to-date inventory tracking reduces spoilage: POS systems give grocers a snapshot of their inventory in real-time, which helps them avoid running low on popular items. It also helps prevent over-ordering products that move more slowly, which is particularly important when dealing with dairy, fruits, vegetables, and other products with a limited shelf life.
Grocery store owners know how important it is to maximize their investment in technology to ensure every penny spent on a POS system translates into many, many pennies returned. By using a POS system with scale capabilities, the stores are able to make employees more productive, checkout processes more efficient, and inventory less wasteful. It all adds up to more positive customer experiences and a boost to the bottom line.
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Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
What type of businesses use POS Scale integration?
– Self Serve Frozen Yogurt
– Bakery
– Candy & Chocolate Stores
– Coffee Shops
– Produce and Grocery
– Salad House
– and more…
How long does it take to read the weight from the scale?
Once the product is placed on the scale the cashier must simply activate the menu button and accept the weight already read by the software.
Will my POS Scale communicate with the POS System?
Yes, the data from the scale is captured by the POS system software. The total product price is then calculated based on the unit cost.
Can my customer see the weight of the product being placed on the scale?
Yes, the weight is shown on the main pos scale display. The weight will also be displayed on the customer display. A red light on the display will also indicate that the scale is at zero when empty. In addition a “Zero” button will allow the cashier to easily zero out the scale.
What’s included with the scale?
All scales include a 6ft serial connection scale cable. Also included a bracket used to attach the scale display tot he scale body.
Do I have to calibrate my scale?
No, the scale will ship out from the main warehouse already factory calibrated. For businesses that are dependent on the scale system, a calibration weight is highly recommended to avoid costly downtime. Note: If the scale is mishandled it might lose its’ calibration.
How often do I need to calibrate a POS scale?
Generally, scales require calibration every 12 to 18 months. On average a certified scale service agent will charge $85 to $150 for local calibration per visit. T
How much does it cost to calibrate my POS scale?
On average a certified scale service agent will charge $85 to $150 for local calibration per visit.
Is the POS Scale certified by the department of weights and measures?
Yes, the scales and software must be NTEP (National Type Evaluation Program) certified. (Legal for Trade, NTEP Class III, USA COC #00-096)
What is the warranty associated with your scale?
The scales usually include a one-year warranty provided by the manufacturer. Your dealer will process any warranty issues for customers on active support plans.
Types Of Businesses
Salad Bars And Cafeterias
In most cases, such retailers charge fixed prices for the various dine-in meals. In other cases, the businesses are known to charge fixed prices on individual menu items. However, such criteria will not work for take-out food.
Convenience Stores
People shopping form convenience shops are often in a hurry. To ensure that you do not delay them even further, you should invest in a system that allows for accurate processing of their purchases. Well, most of the products in convenience stores are individually priced.
However, you will still need a POS scale for such products as prepared foods, produce and other products that have to be sold by weight.
Frozen Yogurt
Yogurt lovers are known to buy these products in certain measurements and quantities. If you own a frozen yogurt shop, you need a weighing scale that can integrate with your POS system. This is particularly the case because such shops are known to sell to self, service customers.
Seafood Markets
Just like meat, most seafood products are sold by weight. While moving the entire fishes is relatively easy, you will still need to keep track of your stock. To be able to do this more accurately, you will need a POS scale to weigh both the frozen and fresh seafood products.
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