Can’t Touch This: Durability a Weak Link in Mobile Point of Sale


Screen Shot 2013-12-11 at 2.39.36 PMWith many of today’s style-savvy retailers demanding both lower prices and higher aesthetics in their point of sale (POS) solutions, many value added resellers (VARs) recommend an iPad, or some other mobile tablet, in this style-starved market.

From our insider perspective, that approach is unsustainable, penny-wise and pound foolish. Given the strong presence Sintel Systems has in the retail restaurant marketplace, and in particular the frozen yogurt segment, we share this information with our customers and franchise hopefuls looking for smart advice for the long term.

Operating a tablet 12 hours a day for a year amounts to over 4,000 hours, far beyond normal consumer usage. It’s easy to imagine that a POS screen is hit thousands of times each day, with the majority of functions comprised of users hitting virtual buttons with varying force.

The fact is, consumer tablet devices lack the commercial and industrial durability necessary to offer continuous reliability in high-volume environments such as frozen yogurt stores, restaurants, and pizza parlors.

We at Sintel worked for a long time to address what the market wants, and needs, before we introduced our Model 5i this past year. The current market is demanding style, but also requires durability and long-term reliability — and the 5i delivers it all.

The 5i is the perfect point of sale terminal suited to high-concept cosmopolitan settings. The “i” is indicative of intelligence in design, with a 15″ zero bezel or 17″ inch screen, along with a customer 10″ display (a key feature tablets lack). Larger than the average 10″ tablet, either 5i size facilitates employee interaction with the screen — an essential consideration.

Also, while we offer a 3-year warranty, tablet warranties are typically 1 year — a testament to the tablet’s low durability expectations (also, those warranties often include limitations on wear and tear).

Unfortunately, as many of us are aware, the lifespan of consumer mobile products is often aligned to the product life cycle. This isn’t necessarily by manufacturer intent, but perhaps simply a function of balancing costs with the durability of a product in a market where many consumers may want to replace their device with a newer model, typically after 18 months.

By contrast, the 5i is engineered specifically to withstand high-traffic, high-volume use over a longer period of time.

Now let’s look at cost. Both an iPad and the Model 5i POS system require scales (gram or ounce); receipt printers; cash drawers; software; and training and support. So the only difference is the terminal. The cost of a good iPad ranges from $700 to $1000 with only a 1-year warranty and no customer display.

Comparatively, the Model 5i has a customer display that is the size of an iPad (10″), is accompanied with a 3-year warranty, and has a 15″ zero-bezel touch screen. All this for less than twice the cost of an iPad when purchased in a package — and it will far outlast a consumer tablet that’s just not up to the task.

Sintel forms lasting partnerships with our clients that you simply can’t get from a reseller, allowing larger franchises to grow and providing startups the foundation for future growth from the very beginning by acting as a franchise incubator. Our expertise can help you avoid common pitfalls of entry into this thriving but complex industry — including the rapid pace of technological change.

If you are interested in learning more about Sintel’s 5i POS system and how its beautiful design and powerful features, combined with our knowledge and support can help create an atmosphere that secures customer satisfaction, call us for a free phone consultation.

Sintel Systems is the only full-service provider of tailored Point of Sale systems across retail, restaurant and service industries, including frozen yogurt shopspizzeriassushi restaurantscafés and retail stores.

As a single source for business solutions, our experienced, knowledgeable team negotiates the complex POS landscape for you to enable you to find the right POS system for your business and budget. Hardware – Software – Support

Questions or Comments: Contact us 855-POS-SALES www.SintelSystems.com

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