POS Terminal Unit

In a small POS system, a POS Terminal Unit is also the POS computer.

In a large POS system where there are many POS machines in one site or even across multiple sites, usually the main POS application and database are detached onto dedicated computer servers.  In this case, POS Terminal Units can be less powerful PCs or even smaller handheld devices like tablets and mobile phones that communicate periodically with the main POS servers.

This architecture now allows POS system providers to invest in the main POS servers and provision it as a Cloud POS application service to merchants.  Merchants only need to invest on cheaper POS devices like iPads, tablets or low cost PCs as the POS terminal unit.