In the retail sector, new payment technologies or additional functions (key term «barrier-free terminals») regularly require the POS terminal landscape to be replaced and upgraded – across all branches. When there are a lot of branches or different cash register systems, the integration of these new terminal models can quickly develop into a major IT project, which is often outsourced to an external partner within a tendering process.
Which means IT managers in retail are increasingly facing a key strategic question: should the new terminal models be integrated directly into the cash register software or might POS middleware as an “adapter” be the better solution? And of course: what specific things do you need to bear in mind when choosing the optimal project partner within a tendering process?
The aims of your integration project
The aims of the project are clear: cashless payments should be stable, secure, maintainable and future-proof. New POS terminals should also be productive as quickly as possible and generate revenue. So the time to market needs to be as short as possible.
As the strategic icing on the cake, you might also want to stay flexible when replacing your terminal landscape in the future. So not only can you offer new functions more quickly, but you can also change acquirer or payment service provider at any time when necessary – thus avoiding a lock-in effect.
The central question is whether direct integration or payment middleware is the better way to achieve your aims.
Direct integration: Direct means closely linked.
With direct integration, POS terminal integration is realised directly in the code of the cash register software. In many cases, this is done by the provider of the cash register software. What initially sounds like a streamlined solution also brings a series of challenges:
Whether POS middleware or direct integration: What you should bear in mind when choosing the right integration partner.
Whether you choose payment middleware or direct integration in the cash register software: most companies entrust the integration of new POS terminal models to an experienced partner.
In the case of direct integration, that is often the provider of the respective cash register software. If you choose POS middleware, the respective provider ensures secure and stable integration. In each case, however, it’s important that the particular partner can meet your requirements for stable, secure, maintainable and future-proof POS terminal integration.
Just what should you bear in mind when choosing the right integration partner? RFPs (requests for proposal) are often developed within a tendering process, which allow you to “sound out” multiple potential partners in relation to your requirements. But what criteria should you definitely include? In other words: what do you actually need to know to make an informed decision?
