While it is true that nothing in this world is free, Harbortouch comes close. For $25, you can have a POS system, pre-loaded with your data, delivered to your business. With this point of sale system, you can instantly start processing payments, managing customers and tracking inventory. If you operate a restaurant, you can also receive free iPad software for state-of-the-art tableside service. Harbortouch can help you manage your business while also managing your bottom line. This service can greatly assist those starting a business with minimal startup capital, which is just one among many reasons it receives our TopTenREVIEWS Gold Award.
While researching retailers and restaurants POS needs, we learned that for many, cost is a major concern, as is customer support. If your payment system goes down, your business essentially shuts down, so you need a company that is there for you even if it late on a Saturday night. Since Harbortouch makes money when you make money, they want to keep your system running. They employ local representatives in most area to assist you directly, and they provide 24-hour built-in support, onsite training and overnight shipping of replacement parts. Another advantage is that Harbortouch manages the hardware, software and payment processing, so no matter what your issue is, you have one point of contact.
We talked directly with a Harbortouch representative and he told us that if you contract with the company for payment processing, you could receive a POS system ready to go for only a $25 shipping charge per unit. An added bonus is that there are Harbortouch representatives in most areas to give you onsite assistance while you set up your system.
Harbortouch offers two free versions of its software with a payment processing agreement: Harbortouch POS and Harbortouch Elite. The Harbortouch POS includes a touchscreen PC, card reader, cash drawer and receipt printers. The retail version also includes a barcode reader, pin pad, keyboard and customer display. The Elite version includes a faster touchscreen PC with a cast aluminum body for a sleek look. Harbortouch software includes versions tailored for retail, C-stores, liquor stores and restaurants, including delivery and quick-service restaurants.
Harbortouch provides quality touchscreen PCs and the basic peripherals that most businesses require, such as barcode readers, receipt printers and card readers. The company also provides kitchen printers for restaurants and scales for those that sell by weight. They also offer commonly used peripherals such as kitchen video systems, bump bars and caller ID boxes. However, since Harbortouch is primarily focused on payment processing, it does not provide a wide variety of POS supplies such as receipt paper, handheld inventory devices or age verifiers.
Harbortouch provides simple-to-use proprietary software that is also used by many other POS service providers. The POS software Harbortouch provides is customized for retail stores, convenience stores, restaurants, including quick-service and delivery restaurants, and liquor stores. The software includes 24-hour support built into the interface, and the iPad software version is free with a regular system. In addition, via a Lighthouse online account, you can login to your Harbortouch account from anywhere and manage your POS system; you can even send notes to your employees.
Harbortouch POS software can manage inventory by color, size or style. It will also track your employees' hours, and you can purchase employee cards from the company if necessary. The software creates purchase orders, manages vendors and customers, processes rentals and layaways, prints gift registries and gift receipts, and creates reports. The hospitality version can track tables, manage reservations online, track bar tabs, split checks and track employee performance. This version can also manage special pricing, such as for daily specials or happy hour orders, and it can create a wide range of reports. Harbortouch will keep your software up-to-date for your entire contract period.
Harbortouch makes money when you make money, so the company is highly motivated to keep your POS systems running. All Harbortouch clients are assigned their own local account representative who can help them onsite if necessary. To help get you started, you can send an Excel sheet of your inventory items or your restaurant's menu to the account representatives, who will set up your database for you. After they enter the items in the database, they will setup an online meeting to show you the layout of the software before it arrives to verify that everything looks correct and is up to your standards. After you receive your POS system, you will be given onsite training and remote training for the remainder of your contract.
Remote support is available 24 hours a day directly through the software via a support button. The free Harbortouch POS systems require that you enter a five-year payment processing agreement with the company. However, if you sell your business, you can transfer the contract; if you go out of business, you can simply return the system. The service plan fee averages out to about $78 per month per system, which is quite reasonable for 24-hour support and overnight shipment of replacement parts.
When we contacted Harbortouch, representatives responded to our emails within the same hour, and the contact in our area answered his phone every time we called. Keep in mind that Harbortouch employs many account representatives across the U.S., so the quality of service may vary. Additionally, as with all free POS system offers, you should carefully evaluate the contractual agreement before you sign up for services.
Harbortouch provides all types of mobile and wireless payment processing options, as well as tableside order entry for restaurants and bars. In fact, the iPad software is free with a Harbortouch POS system. The iPad software mirrors your Harbortouch interface and provides speedy order entry from the table, for more accurate order entry and faster table turnaround time. Harbortouch also offers handheld terminals, mobile processing and wireless terminals. Using a handheld terminal, your wait staff can process cards right at the table.
Harbortouch's mobile processing works with all types of mobile phones, including iPhones, Android, Blackberry and Windows Mobile. If you sign up with the company's mobile processing service, they provide you with a free card reader that connects via your device's audio jack. The wireless terminals are PCI compliant and can be used anywhere, even on the road. Harbortouch does not provide handheld inventory devices.
Harbortouch's success depends on your success. The company is motivated to get your system running and keep it running. You can access support 24 hours a day, and account representatives provide onsite training. In addition, Harbortouch provides all types of mobile processing options and free iPad tableside software. If you find the payment-processing contract agreeable, you can have a point of sale system delivered to you ready-to-go for only $25. This is definitely the best almost-free POS system.
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