The number of POS terminal has greatly increased in Nigeria over the years as we have taken up the cashless policy system. POS terminals provide so much benefit for customers and businesses. Cardholders experience peace of mind and convenience without having to go through the rigor of handling and counting cash with the attendant risk of losing money. No matter what product or services you sell, retail, and restaurant alike, a POS system is one of the largest investments you will make. Taking into consideration the system upkeep is also one of the most important steps when venturing into the POS services, which in return ensures that your ROI is realized. The best way to do that is through the care and maintenance that you provide to your POS. Here are four tips to maintain your POS system:
1. Regular Cleanings
Due to being constantly handled and exposed to dust, dirt, grime, and grease, the machines can build up a layer of filth very quickly. These accumulations will eventually break down the components of your POS system. That’s why it is essential to examine your POS machines regularly and remove build-up as soon as it’s noticed.
Here are a few simple things you can do to keep your equipment clean:
- Use a freshly-laundered towel to clean CRT touch screens.
- Never spray the cleaner directly on the screen.
- Printers need to be wiped down, inside and out, with a soft cloth.
2. Treat Equipment Properly
It is certain that apart from you, your staff will be handling your expensive POS system, which makes it critical that each employee is trained on how to handle your POS equipment with care and respect. For example, employees should know that it’s not allowed to repeatedly strike the POS out of frustration because it is malfunctioning. Also, staff members should always avoid spills and drops on the POS machine.
3. Practice Restarting Your Machine
Many business owners don’t realize that restarting their POS systems is the first step in troubleshooting POS system issues. Unfortunately, many owners keep their POS systems running 24/7 and don’t notice when their system begins to show signs of wear. It’s important to keep in mind that you don’t need to turn off your POS system every night and restart it, but it is critical to do so about once a month to rid the system of small glitches.
4. Consult the POS Providers
Performing all of the tasks listed above is vital in maintaining your POS system and also ensuring your ROI, but nothing can replace the occasional care and attention of a professional. You should consult your POS providers to examine and perform maintenance on your POS system at least once a year. Preventative maintenance can potentially keep more expensive fixes and replacements from happening.
Observing these four tips will help ensure that your POS system doesn’t stop functioning prematurely. You will have to upgrade your POS system eventually, but you shouldn’t have to do so due to the breakdown of your system. After exerting the effort it takes to choose and set up a new POS system, don’t let it fail due to lack of maintenance. If you take care of hardware and software and work with your service provider when things get dicey, your system will serve you well.