We have collected an extensive list of some of the most commonly used terms and acronyms within the
EPOS (Electronic Point of Sale) industry, including a definition that explains what each term
describes.
A scanner that scans 2 dimensional barcodes; also known as QR codes.
These have 2 dimensions of black and white pixels that reflect light to
produce a code.
A/B testing (bucket tests or split-run testing) is a controlled
experiment with two variants, A and B. It is a form of statistical
hypothesis testing or "two-sample hypothesis testing" as used in the
field of statistics. In online settings, such as web design (especially
user experience design), the goal of A/B testing is to identify changes
to web pages that increase or maximize an outcome of interest (e.g.,
click-through rate for a banner advertisement).
An Acquiring Bank enters into an agreement with a business and provides
a bank account to deposit credit card payments into. It exchanges funds
with the Issuing Bank and places these funds into the Merchant Bank
Account minus any fees.
An applications ecosystem is a set of capabilities and processes that
provides full lifecycle management of an application, from its creation
to end-of-life.
An itemised list of a statement of charges or fees or a written or
printed account or statement of money owed such as an account for food
or drink in a restaurant
A blog originally came from the word “weblog” or a “web log”. You can
think of it as an online journal or diary, although blogs are used for
much more now, like online journalism. A blogger is someone who blogs,
or writes content for a blog. Blogging is the act of writing a post for
a blog.
A drawer, usually set in a cash register or EPOS system, that holds cash
tendered from sales, as well as credit card receipts and other paperwork
and change. Cash drawers should be secure and resistant to force.
Simple mechanical device used for recording sales and storing cash
during a sale or transaction where money is exchanged for goods.
Although technically incorrect, Electronic Cash Registers and EPoS
systems are also referred to as Cash Register.
Customer Facing Display (CFD) is a second screen/display which shows
customers, what they are ordering along with prices and total. It is
also used to display promotions, greetings and other information of
benefit to the customer.
A system for processing credit cards - or other smartcards - requiring
the customer to enter a unique identification number instead of a
signature to authorize a payment
CID means ‘Caller ID’, this is the number of the caller sent down the
phone. TouchPoint and many other EPOS systems are capable of capturing
this number and using it to look up customers in their database for
capturing against telephone orders for home delivery
Hosted service delivered over the Internet to both fixed and mobile
devices. The service or application processing is performed within the
hosted environment, with just the user interface component available on
the user's device via the Internet. The internet is often referred to as
the cloud due to the nebulous way the infrastructure is routes data, the
actual network paths are abstract concepts with no defined route from
start point to endpoint, hence the term cloud based for services
delivered through the internet.
A method of payment that uses a "tap" or "swipe" method on the
credit/debit card to allow low value payments for goods without the need
to authorise the payment through traditional means such as PIN. Aimed to
speed up payment for low value sales. Some contactless payment systems,
such as Apple Pay, may include a biometric element (e.g. fingerprint)
for additional security.
‘Customer Relationship Management’ is a term used for the practices,
analysis and technologies for customer interactions and data throughout
the customer lifecycle; the aim is to improve the business relationships
with customers.
A screen facing the customer connected to the EPoS system that displays
relevant information to the customer such as the sale information,
additional offers, upselling or other promotions, loyalty balance or
relevant advertisements.
A screen or facility used to keep track of information in real time.
Often has various "widgets" to provide information about different areas
of interest.
Digital signage uses digital screens or monitors to provide information,
way finding, place making, exhibitions, public installations, marketing
and outdoor advertising through use of content management systems and
digital media distribution systems. These create a customised experience
for the target user.
‘International Article Number’ (previously ‘European Article Number’)
assigned to products as a unique reference number. 13-digit number
assigned to a barcode
‘Electronic Data Interchange’ is the standardised format for electronic
exchange of data and documents between computer systems and business
partners; for example, between a PoS system and back-office systems from
different vendors.
EFT stands for ‘Electronic Funds Transfer’. EFT provider supplies either
the credit card machine, the service the processes the payment or
receives the money into the business bank.
More advanced than a Cash Register, the Electronic Cash Register uses a
processing unit to allow complex services such as multiplication and
discounts. Similar to a powerful calculator.
The EPoS Dealer is the company that provides services and EPoS equipment
to end customers. Often referred to as resellers because they resell
hardware or software licences from the respective vendors.
Software is often sold under licence to be used, a legal instrument
governing the use and redistribution of the software; the caveats of
which are usually defined through End User Agreements or Terms and
Conditions. An EPoS licence is granted to a User to use the EPoS
software, normally in exchange for money and in accordance with any
applicable End User Agreements.
A computer device that runs the Point of Sale software, this is more
complex than an Electronic Cash register and can be programmed to
perform complex operations, store and create reports, manage stock or
control and interface with other applications.
A scheme enabling registered charities and community amateur sports
associations to reclaim tax on a donation made by a UK taxpayer,
effectively increasing the amount of the donation.
‘High Amount Lock Out’, feature to prevent ringing in very high values
by mistake. EG mistyping £1,000.00 instead of £10.00 the effects of
which can be limited by locking out high values. Mainly used on products
with an Open or Miscellaneous price.
The physical parts of a system such as the screen, hard drive, keyboard.
Rather than the software applications running within the operating
system inside the device.
"Broad category within the service industry including Cafes,
Restaurants, Pubs, Bars, Clubs, Hotels and Cruise Liners. The industry
is built around leisure time and the ability to spend disposable income.
"
iOS (originally ‘iPhone Operating System’) is a mobile operating system
created and developed by Apple Inc. and distributed exclusively for
Apple hardware. It is the operating system that presently powers many of
the company's mobile devices, including the iPhone, iPad, and iPod
touch.
The bank that issues credit cards, such as stamped with VISA or
MasterCard. The cardholder will have a credit agreement with the issuing
bank to supply funds, which is then taken from their bank account.
Kitchen Display System (KDS) displays the orders back to the kitchen
staff. There is no need for printed kitchen receipts. It improves
kitchen efficiency and saves paper. Also allows for quick easy amendments
if a customer changes their mind on an order.
Screen based alternative to a Kitchen Printer, allows for more
interaction between the preparation staff and the PoS, waiting staff or
delivery drivers.
‘Kitchen Printer’. A printer, typically an impact printer (dot matrix)
located in the area where goods are prepared. An example is a restaurant
kitchen, where the order is placed and a printer in the kitchen prints a
ticket with the details of the food that needs to cooked. The concept is
also extended to remote bar locations, delicatessens and warehouses
where goods are prepared and shipped in a location away from the Point
of Sale.
This is when a customer wishes to rent or hire the EPOS solution for a
period of years. Typically this would be for 3 years and paid monthly
via direct debit. The benefits are that you spread the cost along with
tax advantages. Another benefit of Lease Hiring is at the end of the
agreement you could upgrade your EPOS system to the latest version
available at that time, which is easier to do if you are Lease Hiring,
because you send back the old system for a new one. Please note, the
customer has to fulfil standard credit acceptance/clearance criteria for
this option to be available. Full details on request.
A scheme available to account customers, members or the general public
that encourages return custom via various schemes such as discounts,
rewards, points, free items etc.
A magnetic stripe card is a type of card capable of storing data by
modifying the magnetism of tiny iron-based magnetic particles on a band
of magnetic material on the card. The magnetic stripe, sometimes called
swipe card or magstripe, is read by swiping past a magnetic reading
head.
MIFARE is NXP's well-known brand for a wide range of contactless IC
products, some often refer to all proximity devices as a MiFare device
in a similar way to calling a Vacuum Cleaner a Hoover.
A computer network or data network is a telecommunications network that
allows computers to exchange data. Network links can be wired or
wireless, and the Internet is also made up of many interconnected
public networks.
‘Near Field Communications’ allow devices to communicate when they are
in close proximity. There are many different formats and radio
frequencies that devices can operate on, and only compatible devices
will be able to communicate with each other. Examples include
contactless payments via card or smartphone. Accessories that trigger
when NFC enabled devices near, such as night stands or door locks in
hotels.
This refers to products, often fresh food products, where the price is
not looked up by the register/computer at the time of sale but rather,
the price is obtained directly from the barcode.
In EPoS Non-Turnover refers to actions that do not affect the business
turnover, in other words are not counted as sales and do not count
towards sales turnover or profit levels but could affect stock levels.
Omnichannel/Omni-channel is defined as a multichannel sales approach
that provides the customer with an integrated shopping experience. The
customer can be shopping online from a desktop or mobile device, or by
telephone, or in a bricks and mortar store and the experience would be
seamless.
Short for Peripheral Component Interconnect, PCI was introduced by Intel
in 1992. The PCI bus came in both 32-bit (133MBps) and 64-bit versions
and was used to attach hardware to a computer
Data Security Standard, one of the security standards developed by the
PCI Security Standards Council relating to card data storage, processing
and transmission.
Payment Application Data Security Standard. A security standard
developed by the PCI Security Standards Council for applications
involved in credit card transactions.
The Payment Card Industry is the global governing body that is
responsible for the development, management, education, and awareness of
the PCI Security Standards.
Stands for ‘Process Data Quickly’. A machine that takes credit/debit
cards and processes a transaction with an Acquiring Bank or Payment
Gateway Provider. Can be a chip and PIN device, or a simple Magnetic
Card Reader
‘Pin Entry Device’, normally for taking credit card payments like a PDQ
machine but will have a Chip & PIN facility rather than just a
magnetic swipe reader.
A ‘personal identification number’ (PIN, pronounced "pin"; often
redundantly PIN number) is a numeric password shared between a user and
a system that can be used to authenticate the user to the system.
Typically, the user is required to provide a non-confidential user
identifier or token (the user ID) and a confidential PIN to gain access
to the system.
Stands for ‘Price Look Up’ and dates back to the early days of cash
registers when you could call up pre-set prices by entering a number and
pressing the Price Look Up button
A machine readable 2 dimensional barcode made up of a pattern of black
and white squares, tradionally containing URLs but are often used in pos
to encode discount vouchers and customer sign on information
A fast food restaurant, also known as a Quick Service Restaurant (QSR)
within the industry, is a specific type of restaurant that serves fast
food cuisine and has minimal table service.
A method of using a small mobile point of sale device to collect a list
of items that customers in the queue for the till are purchasing, in
order to speed up the throughput at the till and so 'bust the queue
The actual time during which a process or event occurs. Relating to a
system in which input data is processed within milliseconds so that it
is available virtually immediately as feedback to the process from which
it is coming, e.g. in a missile guidance system.
A receipt is a written acknowledgment that a specified article or
payment has been received. A receipt records the sale of goods or
provision of a service. Not to be confused with a bill or invoice.
A report provides details about information gathered in an easy to
understand format. In relation to EPoS, reports include details about
sales, stock, commission, and employee working hours, commission.
‘Software as a Service’. A term used for software running within a
server, set of servers or virtual environment that is dislocated from
the user. Often referred to as cloud-based services, hosted by the
service provider and delivered over a network and typically sold on a
subscription basis.
Search engine optimisation (SEO) is the process of affecting the online
visibility of a website or a web page in a web search engine's unpaid
results—often referred to as "natural", "organic", or "earned" results.
‘Stock Keeping Unit’. A retailer's product and service identification
code, often portrayed as a machine-readable bar code that helps the item
to be tracked for inventory
‘Short Message Service’. Messages delivered over the mobile phone
network, originally simple text based messages of limited character
length but have evolved to refer to any form of message or image content
delivered through the mobile phone network.
Company developing and providing the software that performs the Point of
Sale Function. May be different than the hardware provider or the EPoS
dealer. Also referred to as Software Vendor.
Often refers to the physical EPoS system rather than the software that
runs on it, but it can also refer to peripheral devices such as the
credit card machine.
‘Uninterruptible Power Supply’, is a power back-up battery with alarm,
which alerts the user to an external power failure, where data should be
saved and the system then requires shutting down before the battery
itself goes flat (dependant on battery size and charge level). Depending
on the UPS specification, the system may be able to operate during the
power outage for a period of time. These units typically also have surge
protection, to avoid damage to the system in the event of a power
spikes.
Similar to a Z Read in so much that it prints out your day’s totals, but
an X Read differs in that it allows you to take a peak without actually
resetting them back to zero
