SumUp launches AI-driven Terminal POS for hospitality

There was good news last month that Brits are eating out more despite the continuing cost of living crisis.

SumUp, which has carved a niche for itself among SMEs, is hoping to take advantage of this and bid for a larger share in the hospitality world with its new all-in-one POS device.

While the company does already sell some Point-of-Sale devices like the Solo card reader, it is its app that has widest appeal.

This latest launch, though, is aimed squarely at the professional hospitality market; and specifically businesses looking to scale.

What is SumUp Terminal – and how does it work?

SumUp Terminal is a POS device, which combines a card reader, full POS, ordering system, and receipt printer into a single standalone device.

Retailing at £169 + VAT, it is being marketed as a bridge between simple card readers and what SumUp calls “traditional POS systems”. These, argues Tomer Sabag, Chief Hardware Officer at SumUp, can “…feel too expensive and complex” for some businesses. He says that Terminal instead offers ease as a “perfect next step” for ventures that want to grow.

The new device works on a pay-as-you-use system – with SumUp taking 1.69% per transaction. Beyond taking card payments, here are some of the key features:

• Prints receipts with its built-in thermal printer
• Automatically turns handwritten or printed menus into an editable digital catalogue
• Lets users access sales reports and track business performance with analytics tools
• Each staff member can have their own customised profile with different permissions
• The device has built-in WiFi and a free 4G mobile data connection
• SumUp Terminal’s battery is said to last “all day”

SumUp adds that businesses in the UK and Ireland can also integrate accounting solutions like Xero and QuickBooks.

Why does the retail industry need this now?

SumUp is marketing this solution as cheaper than rivals but a step-up from simple card readers as it also offers inventory and analytical tools.

The company argues that it will allow businesses to scale even while still suffering from rising wage costs, staffing shortages, and changing consumer trends. With none of these issues showing signs of abating, Terminal is being marketed as the easiest way to step up without a huge financial commitment.

SumUp is also promising free, automatic software updates; and is teasing future features including barcode scanning, table management, “and the ability for multiple Terminal devices to sync and operate together in the same venue”.

The ease of setup – alongside the current and upcoming features – might be enough for some businesses but it is probably the price tag that will be the biggest draw.