ALLENTOWN, PA (1/1/11) – Harbortouch has announced a new program that is sure to change the way that many restaurants and retail businesses think of POS systems. While modern POS systems offer countless time and money saving features for business owners, the significant cost is often prohibitive for small to mid-sized restaurants and retail stores. UBC’s POS system division, Harbortouch, has launched an unprecedented “free” POS system initiative to allow these merchants to take advantage of the same benefits as the national restaurant chains and major retailers.

CEO Jared Isaacman states, “Large national restaurant chains and big-box retail stores have been taking advantage of this technology for years because of the myriad benefits it offers. At a time when many small and mid-sized businesses are struggling, we are providing these benefits that many business owners may not have previously been able to afford. In addition to speeding up payment transactions, POS systems automate many aspects of day-to-day business including employee management, thus streamlining a merchant’s overall operations and allowing them to focus on keeping their customers satisfied and spending. Another tremendous benefit provided by POS systems is the comprehensive reporting they provide. Advanced reporting functionality provides business owners with greater control and allows them to make more informed business decisions while saving on accounting and bookkeeping expenses.”

Although they are being offered free of charge, Harbortouch POS systems feature top of the line hardware and software, providing the same features and functionality as competitors’ systems that are being sold for tens of thousands of dollars. In fact, Harbortouch systems are superior to more expensive POS systems in many ways. The touch-screen monitor utilizes 5-wire resistive technology while most competitors are using 4-wire screens. Although that may not sound like much of a difference, consider this: the life expectancy of a 4-wire monitor is 3 million touches while a 5-wire monitor’s expected life is an astounding 35 million touches! The central processing unit (CPU) features a slim, sleek design and is so small it can be mounted right on the back of the monitor. Although it is housed in an incredibly small package, this powerhouse boasts lightning fast speed with an impressive Intel 1.6 Ghz dual core processor. It is actually the first POS system to utilize a dual core processor. The system also features 160GB of storage space and 1GB DDR2 memory, double that of the industry standard.

On the software side, Harbortouch Hospitality offers countless useful features including a graphical table map, easy menu editing, inventory tracking, integrated time clock for employees, and the ability to quickly perform many common tasks such as splitting checks and sharing menu items. Harbortouch Retail also offers inventory tracking and a built-in time clock in addition to purchase orders, invoices and barcode scanning. Both software options also include a customer database, employee security levels and integrated credit & debit processing. They also feature a wide range of reports including financial and sales reports, employee productivity, labor reports, discounts, voids and refunds, among many others. A wide range of accessories is also available for the systems. Setting up POS software has always been a time-consuming and intimidating task, but Harbortouch has simplified the process to make it easy for even the most technology-adverse business owner. Restaurant owners can simply submit their menu with their order to have Harbortouch technicians customize the system for their business. Retail business owners can take advantage of a step-by-step wizard to guide them through the setup process. This streamlined setup process along with an extremely intuitive user interface offer an easy transition for merchants so they can take advantage of all the benefits of POS without all the hassle.

Merchants also benefit from a lifetime warranty program, which allows them to receive a new monitor or CPU unit if theirs is defective or breaks from normal wear and tear. This replacement program is valid for as long as the merchant maintains a merchant account with UBC. An approved merchant account and monthly service agreement are required for the merchant to participate in the free POS program.