As retail continues to evolve to meet the needs of an increasingly digital world, Point Of Sale (POS) solutions must evolve alongside the rest of the industry. Star Micronics has not just continued to evolve, but is leading the way with features such as Bluetooth connectivity and power saving, according to Frikkie Koegelenberg, CCO of Roan Systems.

"Star Micronics is at the forefront of product innovation and with a reputation for quality and reliability. Star manufactures the largest range of POS printers and accessories currently available, and is one of the leading manufacturers of POS equipment worldwide. The company has become a leader in the field by providing retailers with innovative, easy to use solutions at a competitive price," he explains.

Koegelenberg adds that Star Micronics has one of the largest POS printer ranges available on the market today, giving customers a wide choice to meet their individual printing requirements. "Designed to suit a wide range of applications, Star offers a variety of solutions ranging from mobile units to kiosk printers, accommodating even the most demanding applications."

For example, the thermal range of printers offers fast, quiet and reliable receipt printing without the need for ribbons, making these units ideal for high speed receipt or label printing and top quality graphics and bar code printing. The robust matrix or impact range of printers fills the gap in receipt printing, kitchen printing, as well as multi-part form printing and cheque validation.

"From integrated simple receipt printers to fully unattended printing solutions, Star can offer a solution for every need," Koegelenberg says. "Star has even introduced new mobile POS printing technology to enable the simple set-up of Star Printers with Apple and Android tablet and smartphone devices."

The Star Micronics mPOP device offers an advanced POS solution that combines a Bluetooth POS receipt printer and cash drawer, using all major operating systems including Apple iOS, Android and Windows. Measuring only 10cm high and 30cm wide, the mPOP is easily transportable, making it ideal for bars, cafés, retail outlets and pop up stores. The mPOP prints at mm per second, and offers multiple USB ports so a variety of devices can be used with it.

Similarly, Star Micronics has developed the world's fastest thermal / matrix slip hybrid combination printer for applications when speed is of the essence. Printing at 250mm per second, this printer ensures accurate combined receipt and cheque printing.

"Like all the other Star Micronics printers, this unit is incredibly easy-to-use. It has drop-in and print receipt paper replacement, intelligent front loading with instant top-of form positioning for cheques or multi-part forms and fast, easily accessible ribbon replacement with a cover-open sensor. Star is also responsible for the world's first dedicated entry-level powered USB printer. This combines the power supply and interface, providing retailers who want to invest in future-proof ‘plug-in and go' point-of-sale printers with an ideal match," Koegelenberg says.

"Versatility, cost-effectiveness, and ease of use are the cornerstones of every unit from Star Micronics. However, while the printer is vital to ensuring good quality printing, the key to long-term quality printing is in the quality of the consumable used. Many retailers neglect to invest equally into consumables, but these not only produce quality print, they protect the most valuable working part of the printer - the print head. After having invested in the right hardware, it would only make sense to use consumables matched to the working parts of the printer purchased."