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Hardware Considerations
The primary consideration should always be environment.
A POS system must have a clean environment to operate
effectively, efficiently, and to ensure that no warranty
issues come up due to environmental difficulties.
Environment is defined at the power provided to system,
whether cabling specifications are met, and whether
people are trained on the proper operation of the
system.
Do you want to use non-integrated hardware?
Non-integrated hardware presents unique considerations
for installation, such as placement of hardware, cable
management, and keeping the CPU out of harsh conditions.
Failure to evaluate these potential areas can run costs
up on non-integrated hardware.
Do you want to use
non-branded hardware?
Warranties for non-branded hardware are typically long.
Additionally, support is usually difficult other than
shipping the unit because parts are not always readily
available.
Do you want to use Branded hardware?
Warranties for branded hardware is typically one year.
On site or brand field support typically is available.
Parts are usually guaranteed for 5 to 7 years after
production. Branded hardware typically offers fastest
return to service. Branded terminals typically build
add-on features into the unit rather than velcroing them
on, Mag card readers and Bio scanners, for example.
Are you considering outsourcing your own hardware?
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Logistics:
You must consider building or providing a mechanism
that:
l
Works 7 x 24 x 365
l Escalates 3rd party hardware calls
for trouble shooting or outsource costs
l Engages with 3rd party to coordinate
replacement or outsource costs
l Provides a shipping solution and
supports managing serial numbers
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Administration:
You must consider managing contracts for renewals and
managing 3rd party
relationships.
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Reporting:
You must consider creating serialized and end-of-year
reporting of equipment on
site. (Tthis it is usually a financial department requirement.)
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Time:
Your considerations must account for time, and
frequently beyond the normal Monday
through Friday, 8 am to 5pm business hours.
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Risk:
Outsourcing hardware entails the chance of being charged
twice on one call since
Abacus must charge to educate, support or fix things your service
provider does not
understand, or changes to your system that render it inoperable or
unstable.
What form of maintenance
will you perform?
Types of maintenance programs available fall under three
main categories but vary widely. Ensure that all
programs are documented to avoid a shoot-from-the-hip
approach that seems to always come as a surprise when
maintenance is necessary.
What is your strategy for hardware repair or
replacement?
The two important strategies consist of repair on site
or replacement.
Non-branded and non-integrated hardware is not typically
stocked so time to order must be kept in mind. In
contrast, branded hardware is usually a stock item, so
repair and replacement can be carried out as necessary.
How will you handle recalls?
When a manufacturer issues a recall that affects your
capital equipment, you must have the procedures and
management in place to effectively manage that process
to avoid any adverse impact to your business.
Back To
Hardware
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