Square Adds Cash Register Integration to the iPad

Square is looking to replace your cash register…or is it?  The service that helps small businesses accept credit card payments via a smartphone or tablet, now offers the ability integrate a cash register and receipt printer in the mix.

That’s right, now you can use your iPad and the Square credit card reader to accept credit transactions as well as cater to those “cash-only” customers. Cash register integration also lets Square users print paper receipts as well. Let’s face it, some of your customers may not be all excited about technology, and as a result prefer the “old school”. With Square for the iPad, you can set up a cash drawer and receipt printer for the ultimate P.O.S. device.

Square does has some [strongly] recommended hardware that will work with their system. So you will have to check to see if your equipment is compatible. After that, all it takes is to connect your devices to the same network, and follow the instructions to “handshake” your components, and you will be able to use your iPad as a true cash register screen, complete with past payment history lookup, receipt reprints, and refund capabilities.

This is more geared to business with actual brick and mortal locations that still want to utilize the Square service simply because your iPad and P.O.S. equipment have to be connected to the same network. You may not have the same luxury of connecting to a solid network if you use your Square devices to accept credit card payments while on the go. But I still think it is a nice upgrade for businesses simply Square’s claim to fame is that you don’t have to mess with a merchant account to accept credit card payments, and transaction fees are in most cases still cheaper.

You may have to go out and purchase compatible equipment, but the with the simpler set up and cheaper usage rates, in addition to the wow factor you’ll get from customers as a result of being able to walk around store and complete transaction on an iPad may be worth the investment.