The right hardware and technology can make running your cannabis business easier and more efficient.
Cannabis Business technology could include:
- hardware such as POS systems, computers, printers, scanners, video surveillance cameras, data storage devices, and much more.
- software such as seed-to-sale, payment processing solutions, display solutions, and much more.
You can choose from a range of products and set-ups.
In this post, we will walk through tips to help you buy hardware products for your cannabis business.
Five Tips To Choose Your Cannabis IT Hardware
Following are a few tips to choose your cannabis IT hardware:
Hardware Features
Make a list of “necessary” features that are vital to the operation of your cannabis business before you start looking for hardware. Make a second list of “recommended” features that aren’t required but would be beneficial and make life easier. You can reject numerous products from the search that don’t have the “necessary” features or are too pricey by doing so. After that, you can make a final decision based on the number of “recommended” attributes the product possesses.
Budget
Given the high cost of hardware, you’ll need to create a firm but a realistic budget that includes customization, software subscriptions, accessories, training, technical support, and extended warranties. You don’t want to go with the cheapest choice only to have it fail after a few months. It is best to choose hardware products that come with a warranty to protect your investment.
Long-term IT strategy
Any future changes in your market, employees, or products or services should be incorporated into your IT plan. Integrate hardware renewal and software deployment methods into your business if at all practicable.
It’s a good idea to maintain track of purchase dates and costs for accounting, tax, warranty, and insurance purposes when purchasing new hardware for your business.
Cure8 can help you develop an IT strategy for your business.
Compatibility
Make sure that any new or replacement components are compatible with your existing computer equipment when buying hardware. Consider the total costs, including if it is more cost-effective to install a new system rather than upgrade existing components.
Consider A Warranty
Most hardware comes with a warranty. Choosing alternatives with extended coverage periods can help you get a better deal. Many devices also come with optional extended warranties that may be purchased for a price. While it may be tempting to save money by skipping the extended warranty, a large investment is frequently worth safeguarding. If your equipment breaks down, the cost of the warranty will appear insignificant when compared to the cost of replacing your hardware on your own.
The Most Important Hardware For Cannabis Businesses – POS System
What is a POS System?
First and foremost, POS stands for Point of Sale, which refers to any place where a transaction, whether for a product or a service, can take place.
It’s usually the area around a retailer’s cash register, where customers exchange money for goods or services. With a mobile POS, however, your entire store basically becomes a point of sale.
A point-of-sale system is hardware and software that you use to run your business. It’s not single equipment or process; rather, it’s a combination of elements that, when combined, allow you to properly conduct customer-facing transactions and expedite business processes related to your sales.
A POS system used to be on-premise, which meant it ran on an on-site server and could only be utilized in a specific location in your area. That’s why your front desk’s desktop computer, cash register, barcode scanner, receipt printer, and payment processor were all set up and barely moved.
A key technological breakthrough occurred in the early 2000s: the cloud. The next step in POS technology emerged with the introduction of cloud-based storage and computing: mobility. Because it isn’t tied to an on-site server, a cloud-based POS system extends beyond your physical location. You can access it from anywhere.
Hardware Components Of A POS System
- Register. A register aids in the calculation and completion of a customer transaction.
- An iPad or tablet. A portable device can be a good substitute for a monitor. A stand can be used to support a tablet, allowing your employees to clock in and out.
- Barcode scanner. A barcode scanner reads the data on an item so that you can ring it up. It can also save time by allowing you to double-check the price, stock level, and other information.
- Receipt printer. Customers can see exactly what they bought when they bought it, and how much they paid with a receipt printer.
- Cash drawer. Even if you accept contactless payments, you may require a secure location to store your cash. By knowing when the cash drawer is opened can help reduce fraud.
Finally
Choosing the best hardware POS system for your company might be difficult. However, we trust that these pointers are sufficient to assist you in making your decision.