Selecting Hardware for SuitePOS

The choices and configurations of hardware are numerous and highly dependent on your retail environment, aesthetics and desire for simplicity.  Based off real-world use cases among our customers and our own personal experience we recommend the following:

Apple Devices (Terminal)

For fixed-lane environments (or pop-up stores) the iPad is best. The smaller iPad has a lot more enclosure options than the larger ones. For example, the Square Stand does not work with the larger iPads.

We do not recommend purchasing in-built cellular service on iPads because most retailers opt for a hotspot failover device instead.

For mobile environments, where the clerk will be on their feet clienteling and conduction sales, we recommend the larger iPhone (or iPod) along with a payment device fixed to the back of the case. 

Enclosures and Stands

There are many choices of iPad enclosures and stands. In most fixed-lane environments you should consider those that hide cables and dongles and can be bolted down. This ensures a clean, secure and hazard-free experience.  If you are using Square for payments, the Square Stand represents value and clean ergonomics. Other popular options include Studio Proper's line of modern powered iPad stands or the more rugged Star Micronics mUnite line.  In addition Kensington, Vidabox, SpacePole, Armodilo and inVue are good brands. 

Flip/Swivel Stands may not be necessary (so long as "tipping" is not used) since most modern processors such as Square or Stripe no longer require signatures for credit cards. 

Square Stand (2nd Generation):

Studio Proper Stand:

Payment Devices

The choice of payment device is highly dependent on the payment processor selected. In each case, the devices supported are modern and contactless, have a small footprint and are without pin pads. All devices are chip and NFC ready with support for wireless cards, Apple Pay and Samsung Pay. 

Square Reader (with dock):

Square Terminal:

Stripe Reader (with dock):

Printers

SuitePOS supports most of the current Star Micronics printer models. We recommend the mC-Print-3 for most environments since they support both hardwired ethernet and bluetooth configurations. 

In terms of speed and reliability, hardwired ethernet is the best choice, followed by Wifi and then Bluetooth. In terms of simplicity, Bluetooth printers are the better choice.

For larger and terminal dense fixed-lane environments, hardwired ethernet or WiFi printers are recommended.

There are also mobile receipt printers, but with emailing and texting of receipts (plus the ability to share LAN printers) these are less common.

mC-Print-3:

mPOP Printer/Drawer Combo:

Ultra-light Mobile Printer:

Part Number (Desk Printers):
P/N 39650010	Star mPOP White (Scanner not supported)
P/N 39650210	Star mPOP Black (Scanner not supported)
P/N 39590900	Under Counter Mounting Kit (mPOP)
P/N 39651290	mCollection mC-Print3, Bluetooth, Ethernet, White
P/N 39653090	mCollection mC-Print2, Bluetooth, Ethernet, White
P/N 39481260	Star TSP650II, Bluetooth, White
P/N 39481361	Star TSP650II, Ethernet, White
P/N 39472010	Star TSP100III, Ethernet, White
P/N 39464810	Star TSP100III, Wireless, White
P/N 39632110	Star SM-S230I-UB40, Bluetooth, Tiny Portable Printer
P/N 39631810	Star SM-T300i, Bluetooth, Rugged Portable Printer

Part Number (Mobile Printers):
P/N 39631810	Star SM-T300i-DB50, Bluetooth, Gray (Heavy Duty)
P/N 39632110	Star SM-S230I-UB40, Bluetooth, Gray (Ultra Lite)

Other colors and accessories available

Cash Drawers

We recommend any cash-drawer that supports standard RJ11/12 connectors (to a receipt printer).  The Star mPOP (Bluetooth Printer and Drawer Combo) is a good option for smaller and less cash intensive environments that seek simplicity.  For drawers that are more robust, we recommend the Star SMD2 line.

Star SMD2 Cash Drawer (RJ11/12):

mPOP Printer and Drawer Combo: 

Part Number (Drawer):
P/N 37964101	Star SMD2-1214, White, 12Wx14D, Printer Driven, CD1 Cable
P/N 37964180	Star SMD2-1317, White, 13Wx17D, Printer Driven, CD1 Cable
P/N 37964260	Star SMD2-1617, White, 16Wx17D, Printer Driven, CD1 Cable
P/N 39650010	Star mPOP White (Scanner not supported
P/N 39650210	Star mPOP Black (Scanner not supported)
P/N 39590900	Under Counter Mountain Kit (mPOP)

Other colors and accessories available

Scanners

The full line of Socket Mobile 700 bluetooth scanners are supported. There are two types of scanners: Laser and Linear Imagers.  Lasers perform better in dark environments (and from a distance). Linear Imagers perform well in most environments with the added benefit of being able to scan QR codes and digital screens in addition to a standard barcode. 

In most retail applications, we recommend the lighter S740 or the more durable D740. They can be used as handheld scanners or mounted on a stand for auto-scanning.

SocketScan S740:

DuraScan (D740:

The Apple device camera is fully supported for reading barcodes and QR codes.

Dual Display

Optionally, SuitePOS uses Apple AirPlay to show the current shopping cart directly to the shopper. Any monitor/TV that supports in-built AirPlay will work.  Monitors/TVs that are less than 24" (eg. Loncevon or Toguard) will require an AirPlay HDMI dongle such as AnyCast, MiraCast or Roku since they do not come with in-built AirPlay.

Loncevon 12":

AirPlay HDMI dongles:

Scales

Star Micronics NTEP-Certified mG sales are supported. These scales can support weighing items that are small and light (with great precision) to larger items up to 18lbs. 

As opposed to a separate scale that prints price-embedded barcode (typically used in deli environments), this scale directly populates the weight into the item quantity field of SuitePOS; making for a seamless operation.

Star mg-S8200 scale with extended platter:

Part Number (Scales):
P/N 37967600	Star mG-S322 NTEP Scale, Bluetooth - High Precision
P/N 37967610	Star mG-S1501 NTEP Scale, Bluetooth - Medium Precision
P/N 37967620	Star mG-S8200 NTEP Scale, Bluetooth - Standard Precision

Standard Precision is good for most retail scenarios

• Related Articles

• Square Hardware Options

  A variety of Square branded hardware and accessories are available for SuitePOS. Square Stand (2nd Generation) This stand is ergonomically pleasing and has a built in payment device and optional swipe reader. We recommend that you also get the Square ...

• Supported Printers Set Up and Port Names

  We support various printers made by Star. These include select Bluetooth printers, 2" and 3" printers, LAN Printers and WIFI Printers. The SuitePOS app automatically detects Bluetooth printers (and connects to them) based on the port name. As such it ...