Six Tips to Maintaining Your POS Hardware

Proper POS hardware maintenance is key to smooth operations and avoiding costly downtime. Here are six quick tips to keep your equipment in top shape.

1. Schedule Routine Cleanings

Printers
Regular cleaning of your printers can extend their lifespan and prevent issues like paper jams, faded print, smudged documents, and unexpected downtime.

It is essential to properly clean thermal print heads to remove contamination or residue that may accumulate over time.

Terminals
Clean your terminal’s (MSR) card swipe routinely to protect its magnetic head and minimize residue buildup.

Use a mild detergent and damp microfiber to clean the touchscreen and terminal housing. A mixture of not more than 70% isopropyl alcohol can also be used to disinfect.

2. Replace Your Legacy Infor KDS Kitchen Display System's Filter

To maintain optimal performance, replace your KDS filters monthly or whenever you see residue build-up.

Only use the foam filter provided by Infor to ensure proper controlled airflow cooling. It is essential to always have the proper filter in place to extend the life of your KDS.

3. Be Gentle with Your Hardware

Terminals 
Use the fleshy part of your fingertip to touch the touchscreen on your terminal. Avoid hard or sharp objects such as metal, acrylic fingernails, knives, credit cards, etc., as these can lead to scratches or cuts that may affect the operation or calibration of the touchscreen.

Printers
Keep your printers away from heat sources like heating lamps as excessive heat can damage components and even melt parts of the printer.

4. Check for Damage

Frequently inspect cables and power cords for signs of wear. Damaged or cut cables can pose safety risks and cause data loss or even service disruptions.

Maintaining good cable management helps prevent cords from being tangled, crushed, or tripped over, ensuring a safer and more organized workspace.

5. Store Supplies Properly

Keep your thermal sticky paper stored in a cool dry place and avoid direct sunlight. Proper storage helps to ensure that your sticky thermal paper doesn’t leave residue in your printer or affect performance.

6. Replace Parts Prior to Useful End of Life, Before Failure.

Replace your Universal Power Supply every two to three years to maintain the longevity of your POS investment. This preventive approach helps you avoid unexpected breakdowns.

By following these six maintenance tips, you can extend the life of your POS hardware, keep your business running efficiently, and minimize downtime and repair costs. 

Ready to implement these tips and maximize your POS system's performance? Be sure to stock up on essential maintenance supplies.