The rise of mobile technology and its benefits include shorter wait times, more streamlined processes, and less double work for employees. This has caused technology preferences in the hospitality industry to shift away from stationary legacy systems and move towards mobile tablet and iPad point of sale (POS) solutions. Mobile solutions have also become an option for restaurant operators that need to upgrade their POS technology but don’t want to add more traditional terminals.Restaurants are turning to ISVs to enable them to use state-of-the-art mobile POS solutions to give them the receipt printing functionality they need at the table, at the checkout counter, car side, in outdoor dining areas, and anywhere else transactions can take place. However, upgrading a clients’ POS system with mobile capabilities is more than just integrating new hardware, it also means the addition of new elements that will keep printers connected and operational.
Star Micronics’ TSP143IIIU may be the answer you are looking for.
The Problem with Bluetooth and WLAN Connections
The main connectivity options restaurant clients usually consider for their receipt printer to device connections are Bluetooth and WLAN. Unfortunately, neither are a perfect fit for “always on” connectivity.
Wha
t is Bluetooth?
Bluetooth technology uses short wavelength UHF radio waves to connect to a mobile device or computer. Although Bluetooth is synonymous with hands-free connectivity or headsets, this technology uses the same 2.4 GHz frequency as Wi-Fi. Before a connection can be established, the devices need to “pair” and then a network made up of piconets (devices using Bluetooth) is established. The network is fluid as devices enter and leave the field.
What is 
WLAN?
A wireless local area network (WLAN) allows a mobile device to connect to a LAN through radio transmissions. WLANs usually follow IEEE 802.11 standards and are therefore compatible with almost every mobile device or computer.
The Benefits of a USB Connection from POS Device to Receipt Printer
A USB connection from device to printer may be, if not the best, then one of the best connectivity options for your restaurant clients. By nature, a USB connection reduces the time required to transmit data from the POS device to the receipt printer. This allows for lightning fast printing of order tickets and customer receipts in a restaurant environment. Because of this, your restaurant clients will experience a boost in customer satisfaction. Restaurants will also experience an increase in table turns due to staff’s ability to submit an order ticket and print the customer’s bill more quickly, ultimately boosting sales. Additionally, a USB connection is one of the most reliable, ensuring order tickets aren’t dropped or lost and causing an undue roadblock for your client when trying to deliver exceptional customer service.
The Star Micronics Solution
The issues your hospitality clients face with connectivity have occurred as shifts in the industry and technology innovations have forces receipt technology to evolve quickly over the last several years. Most recently, the popularity of iPad® and iPhone® solutions has increasingly demanded mobile and connected receipt printer solutions, but until now, there hasn’t been a solution that offers simple and reliable connection for iOS devices to a receipt printer. In light of these challenges, Star Micronics has developed solutions for clients who need to print receipts from Web-based applications and help hospitality customers overcome connectivity issues.
Why Choose the TSP143IIIU?
The TSP143IIIU builds on the success of Star’s TSP143ECO printer. The new model offers faster print speed, increased reliability and connectivity, power switch and serial number for asset management, and more, such as:
- Low operating cost
- High-speed printing, 43 receipts per minute
- Guillotine auto-cutter
- Revolutionary futurePRNT receipt design software
- Compatible with Star Micronics Cloud Services and AllReceipts™
Connectivity issues can derail any POS system, wreaking havoc on a client’s hospitality operation. A mobile solution and printer is only as reliable as its network, and Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections all have vulnerabilities that can cost clients time and money. Star Micronics’ new TSP143IIIU offers an answer to printer connectivity issues, by allowing iOS devices to tether directly to the receipt printer.
