Fast-developing technology has come up with a variety of
features of features in point of sale, or POS, printers that
provide for the different uses at a point of sale. Remote
printing is now the "in-thing" for restaurant owners--customer
orders are directly printed in the kitchen with number and order
size.

Printers in a POS system are the main output devices and usually
have one or two independent cash register ports attached. Such a
printer and cash register will share a single port with a PC and
leaves other PC ports free for other peripheral devices of the
POS system. Traditional electronic cash registers with printers
have given way to specialized printers and accessories for
point-of-sale functions like labeling and coding products,
printing receipts, and printing identity cards. There are many
manufacturers in the market who give printers with different
features to suit unique needs of vendors.

Printers can be classified according to the printing technology
used, their connection compatibility, and the unique features
provided by the manufacturers. Dot-matrix, thermal printers, and
laser printers are the most common types of printers used in
most POS systems. Laser and thermal printers are very quick, but
it is the dot-matrix printer that is used by small scale
retailers and restaurant owners, due to its low pricing and
maintenance costs. For clear printing that is essential for
barcodes and labels, the best solution are direct thermal
printers and thermal transfer printers with auto cutters. PC and
printer compatibility is essential for smooth functioning of the
POS system. Computers and printers can be connected directly
through a parallel port in both the devices, or they can be
connected directly through a serial interface. Some PCs allow
printer connection through USB cables or RJ11 adapters as well.

You should be looking at the specific needs of your outlet
before choosing a printer with different features like barcode
formats, auto cutters, check and credit card receipts, and
product labels. Getting the right printer with the right
combination of technology, features, and cost-effective
system-compatibility will play a part in smooth running of your
business.

About the author:
POS provides detailed
information on POS, POS Software, POS Systems, Restaurant POS
and more. POS is affliated with Metal Store Fixtures.