Do I Need to Buy Expensive POS Hardware?
- Next Level POS
- 5 days ago
- 7 min read
Not necessarily. Qualifying merchants may be able to receive modern POS hardware through Next Level POS with no upfront hardware cost when enrolling in an eligible payment processing program.
For years, restaurants and other businesses have been accustomed to purchasing expensive POS terminals, payment devices, printers, servers, and other equipment before they can begin using a new point-of-sale system.
Traditional enterprise POS platforms, including systems commonly associated with Aloha and Oracle MICROS, have historically been deployed with substantial hardware, installation, configuration, and infrastructure requirements.
Modern cloud POS technology gives businesses another option.
Instead of automatically investing thousands of dollars in POS equipment, qualifying Next Level POS merchants may be able to obtain modern hardware as part of an eligible merchant services and payment processing solution.
Can a Business Really Get Modern POS Hardware With No Upfront Hardware Cost?
Yes, qualifying merchants may be eligible for modern POS hardware with $0 upfront hardware cost through an approved Next Level POS payment processing program.
Eligibility depends on factors such as the type of business, processing volume, merchant approval, required equipment, and selected payment program.
This is not simply about getting a free terminal.
The objective is to create a complete POS and payment solution that allows a business to modernize its technology without making a large initial hardware investment.
Why Can Traditional POS Hardware Be Expensive?
A complete POS installation can involve much more than a touchscreen.
Depending on the business, a traditional installation may require:
POS terminals
Payment terminals
Cash drawers
Receipt printers
Kitchen printers
Local servers or back-office computers
Network equipment
Handheld devices
Barcode scanners
Kitchen Display Systems
Installation
Software configuration
Employee training
When several stations are required, the initial investment can become significant.
Businesses should therefore compare the total cost of the POS solution, not just the advertised price of one terminal.
How Is a Modern Cloud POS Different From Older POS Installations?
Traditional POS environments often relied heavily on computers and infrastructure physically located at the business.
Modern cloud POS platforms can move many management and data functions into cloud-based services.
Depending on the selected platform, this can provide capabilities such as:
Remote management
Real-time reporting
Centralized business data
Automatic or managed software updates
Multi-location management
Integrated payment processing
Mobile and handheld POS options
Customer loyalty
Cloud-based analytics
This can reduce the amount of specialized local infrastructure required for some businesses.
Is Modern POS Hardware Lower Quality Because It Can Be Provided at No Upfront Cost?
No. A qualifying hardware program does not mean a business has to use outdated or low-quality POS equipment.
Next Level POS focuses on modern commercial POS technology appropriate for the customer's operating environment.
Depending on the selected solution, equipment can include modern touchscreen terminals, customer-facing displays, payment terminals, receipt printers, cash drawers, handheld devices, and other compatible hardware.
The specific equipment provided depends on the approved program and business requirements.
How Does Next Level POS Compare With Buying an Aloha POS System?
Aloha is a well-known restaurant POS platform, and it can be appropriate for certain restaurant environments.
The important comparison for a business owner isn't simply Next Level POS versus Aloha.
The better question is:
How much will my complete POS environment cost, and what do I receive for that investment?
A restaurant evaluating an Aloha deployment should consider hardware, software, payments, installation, networking, programming, support, upgrades, and any ongoing costs.
A qualifying merchant working with Next Level POS may have another option: combining modern POS technology with an eligible payment processing program that can reduce or eliminate the initial hardware purchase requirement.
Businesses should compare actual proposals and total costs rather than assuming one solution is cheaper based solely on the brand.
How Does Next Level POS Compare With Oracle MICROS?
Oracle MICROS is another established POS technology used throughout the hospitality industry.
Enterprise platforms can offer extensive capabilities, particularly for larger hospitality organizations.
But not every independent restaurant, coffee shop, bar, or growing business needs the same technology environment as a large hotel or enterprise restaurant group.
Smaller and mid-sized businesses should ask:
Do I need to purchase an expensive enterprise-style POS environment, or can a modern cloud POS solution provide the capabilities my business actually needs?
Next Level POS can evaluate those requirements and recommend a system based on the operation rather than simply selling the most expensive hardware available.
What Does “Free POS Hardware” Actually Mean?
This is an important question.
When Next Level POS refers to free POS hardware, we mean that qualifying merchants may receive eligible POS equipment with no upfront hardware purchase cost as part of an approved merchant services/payment processing program.
It does not mean that payment processing, software, services, or every possible piece of equipment has no cost.
Terms, eligibility, processing requirements, software charges if applicable, equipment included, and other program conditions should always be reviewed before enrollment.
We believe businesses should understand the complete program before making a decision.
Who Qualifies for No-Upfront-Cost POS Hardware?
Qualification depends on the merchant and selected program.
Factors may include:
Business type
Monthly processing volume
Transaction history
Merchant approval
Number of POS stations
Required hardware
Payment processing program
Software requirements
Next Level POS can review the business's requirements and determine which programs may be available.
Can a New Restaurant Qualify?
Potentially.
A new restaurant may have different qualification requirements from an established merchant because it may not have an existing processing history.
Next Level POS can review the planned restaurant concept, anticipated processing volume, hardware requirements, and payment setup to determine available options.
Can an Existing Business Switch From an Older POS System?
Yes, depending on the business and selected replacement system.
Businesses operating older POS technology can have their current environment evaluated before making a change.
Next Level POS can review:
Existing terminals
Printers
Payment devices
Network infrastructure
Menu configuration
Online ordering
Kitchen workflow
Processing environment
Reporting requirements
Some equipment may be reusable, while other components may be better replaced with newer technology.
Does Next Level POS Provide Payment Processing With the Hardware?
Yes. Payment processing is a core part of the Next Level POS solution.
Rather than treating the POS system and merchant processing as unrelated products, Next Level POS can integrate payment processing with compatible POS technology.
This can create a more connected checkout environment and give the business one provider for several critical parts of its operation.
Is a 4% Cash Discount Program Available?
Next Level POS offers cash discount solutions for qualifying merchants where appropriate.
Eligibility and implementation depend on the merchant's circumstances, program requirements, applicable laws, card-network requirements, disclosures, and approval.
A business should have its current processing environment evaluated before determining whether a cash discount program is appropriate.
Does the Hardware Program Include Installation?
Depending on the selected package, Next Level POS can provide much more than the hardware itself.
Our turnkey services can include:
POS system planning
Hardware
Software configuration
Menu programming
Payment processing
Business networking
Hardware installation
Printer configuration
Kitchen routing
Employee training
Remote technical support
Local support
This is an important difference between purchasing equipment online and working with a local POS provider.
Who Programs the POS System?
Next Level POS can configure and program the POS system for the customer's business.
For a restaurant, this can include menu categories, items, modifiers, pricing, taxes, employee permissions, kitchen routing, printers, payment configuration, and other supported features.
Retail configurations can include products, inventory functions, barcode equipment, customer management, employee settings, and reporting.
A POS terminal is only useful when the software behind it is configured correctly.
Who Installs the POS Equipment?
Next Level POS provides professional POS installation for supported customers.
Installation can include setting up terminals, payment devices, cash drawers, receipt printers, kitchen printers, networking, and other supported components.
We can also test the system before deployment and provide employee training.
Why Does Local Installation Matter?
A POS system is mission-critical technology.
If the internet, network, printer, payment terminal, or POS station stops communicating during business hours, the merchant needs to determine where the problem is coming from.
Working with a local provider that understands the complete installation can make troubleshooting much easier.
Next Level POS has been supporting Arizona businesses for more than 16 years and provides phone, remote, and local support for supported customers.
Should I Choose a POS System Based Only on Free Hardware?
No.
Free or no-upfront-cost hardware can be a major financial advantage, but it should not be the only reason to choose a POS provider.
A business should evaluate:
POS software capabilities
Hardware quality
Payment processing
Processing costs
Software costs
Contract terms
Online ordering
Inventory
Reporting
Customer loyalty
Networking
Installation
Training
Technical support
Upgrade options
Total long-term cost
The best POS solution is the one that fits the business operationally and financially.
Is It Better to Buy POS Hardware or Use a Qualifying Merchant Program?
There is no universal answer.
Some businesses prefer to purchase their equipment outright. Others would rather preserve their capital and obtain eligible hardware through a payment processing program.
For a new restaurant or growing business, avoiding a large upfront POS hardware purchase can leave more capital available for inventory, employees, marketing, furniture, kitchen equipment, renovations, and other operating expenses.
The important step is comparing both options based on total cost and business needs.
What Is the Advantage of Getting Everything From One POS Company?
Managing multiple technology vendors can become complicated.
One company may provide the POS.
Another provides the payment terminal.
Another manages the network.
Another handles software.
And another provides support.
When something stops working, determining who is responsible can become frustrating.
Next Level POS takes a turnkey approach by bringing together POS hardware, software, payment processing, networking, programming, installation, employee training, and ongoing support.
Can Next Level POS Replace an Older Aloha, MICROS, or Other Legacy POS System?
Potentially, yes.
The first step is evaluating the existing system and understanding what the business actually needs from its replacement.
Next Level POS can help businesses compare modern POS alternatives based on workflow, hardware requirements, payments, online ordering, reporting, integrations, budget, and support requirements.
The goal should not simply be replacing an old terminal with a new terminal.
It should be creating a better technology environment for the business.
How Can I Find Out If My Business Qualifies for Modern POS Hardware?
Contact Next Level POS for a POS and payment processing consultation.
We can review your existing system, business type, processing environment, hardware requirements, and operational needs.
For established merchants, a recent payment processing statement can also help us evaluate the existing payment environment and available options.
Do I Really Need to Spend Thousands of Dollars Upfront on a New POS System?
Not necessarily.
Businesses now have more choices than the traditional model of purchasing expensive POS equipment upfront.
Qualifying merchants may be able to obtain modern POS hardware with no upfront hardware cost through an eligible Next Level POS payment processing program.
Next Level POS combines modern POS technology with payment processing, programming, networking, professional installation, employee training, and ongoing support.
With more than 16 years of POS industry experience in Arizona, our goal is to help businesses invest in the technology they actually need instead of automatically paying for an expensive POS hardware package.
Before spending thousands on a new POS system, compare your options with Next Level POS.
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