I run my pizza wagon in Cambridge & utilise a lot of Squares own hardware so thought I’d highlight some of the reasons why I use each bit of kit (will also do some stuff on accessories too). If you’ve got any questions let me know, or if you’re already using the Terminal what have I missed (or what’s it missing)?
The Terminal is a one-stop-shop device that can truly do it all, from taking simple payments to the integrated online order manager.
Item Library
Keeping all your products organised the refreshed UI has a great favourites screen for quick access to frequent items or categories. Modifiers make it easy to customise dishes, automatically adding the charge for extras.
Order Manager
Set up your online site & customers can place their order to collect or enable local delivery. With configurable prep times, availability for collection & separate hours for deliveries all your orders can be managed from the Terminal.
Built In Printer
Customer receipts & order tickets can be printed out with the inbuilt 58mm printer. Faster than any battery powered printer on the market, this can really speed up service and make sure nothing gets missed.
Order stubs can be printed for your walk up customers to make it even easier to remember what order goes to which customer.
With the integration of the order manager you can be notified of your online orders as they come in & print order tickets to help stay organised.
Solid Hardware
With true all day battery life & powerful 60w USB C charger the Terminal is a real workhorse. The device updates automatically to bring the best security and user experience. All that’s needed is a Wi-fi or Ethernet connection, so it can connect to the hotspot feature of your phone or larger network.
Flexibility
As your business grows the Terminal can be incorporated in to larger setups, connecting to barcode scanners & external network or USB printers.
Staff Management
Staff can all have separate codes to login to to the Terminal to control access & can even clock in/out for digital time cards. It’s a ‘business only’ device so no staff checking facebook or login into your business on their phones.
Customer Interaction
With the option to have an order confirmation screen to make sure you’ve got exactly what your customer wants & also a tipping screen with customisable quick amounts the interface is great at guiding the sale when turned to face your customers.
The Compromises
New UI doesn’t have the order manager quite yet (but it will be there really soon!)- Smaller screen can sometimes make life a little harder for big fingers, but the new UI has improved this loads.
- Can’t connect to networks that have a login screen (like BT hot spots or those needed you to accept pop up T&C’s).
- No Bluetooth accessories. Barcode scanners need to use the USB hub.
Even if you can't use Bluetooth directly with the terminal, you may be able to pick up a Bluetooth receiver to plug in and connect to, as a way to run wirelessly, just thought I'd put this thought out there for anyone who is a bit troubled by this compromise : )
You can get 2.4ghz barcode scanners, but this still needs the USB connection so it would still be a case of using the USB hub for the Terminal.
Within food service not many would need the functionality, but had to come up with more than one compromise 😂
