Casio, DigiPoS Systems Group, and Hewlett-Packard are all shipping point-of-sale terminals pre-loaded with WEPOS.
(Click here for larger image of Casio QT-8000C) - Casio -- Casio says its QT-8000CW-MBD point-of-sale touch-screen terminal (similar to the unit pictured above) is targeted at single-store retailers seeking to replace a conventional electronic cash register system. It features a wide-viewing-angle, 15-inch screen with 1024 x 768 resolution. "This package is easy for smaller businesses to install and enables them to automate their stores at a very affordable price," said Larry Sampey, general manager of Casio's Systems Products Division.
- HP -- HP's new rp5000 POS system has been optimized to "withstand the rigors of the retail environment" with enhanced peripheral support as well as components that combine functionality normally found in popular proprietary POS systems with the low price and flexibility that are the hallmark of PC-based POS systems, according to the company. The unit is available with either Celeron or Pentium 4 processors, clocked at 2 to 2.4 GHz.
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DigiPoS Power POS
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- DigiPoS -- DigiPoS says its new Power POS provides "unique cable management" and on-board diagnostics contained within an internal 8 MB DiskOnChip Flash memory module. Four powered serial ports provide 5, 9, 12, or 24 VDC via jumper selection. The unit is powered by a 1.2 GHz Celeron processor.
According to Microsoft, these combined hardware and software packages are initially available in the US only, priced "under $3,000."
POS market strengthMicrosoft cited data from a recent survey conducted by RIS News and IHL Consulting Group suggesting that Windows operating systems continue to dominate the retail point of sales/service (POS) sector. Specifically, 64 percent of those surveyed said that they are currently using a Windows operating system in their POS equipment, up from 48 percent last year, Microsoft said. Additionally, the survey reportedly showed that 50 percent of current Linux POS users are considering replacing Linux with a Windows OS.
Last May, in summarizing the results of its
2005 North American Retail POS Terminal Study, IHL reported that shipments of Windows 2000/XP-based terminals represented 56 percent of the overall market. Windows 9x/CE represented another 15 percent of the shipments for a total of 71 percent of the market. Additionally, the report found that although shipments of Linux-based POS units increased 34 percent year-to-year, Linux still represent a mere 6 percent of the overall market.
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