If you run a food or retail business with a self-service kiosk or a tablet-based point of sale (POS), there are a few ways you can enhance your checkout processes. Accepting cash payments is all very well and good, but to really maximize your efficiency, installing an easy way to process card and contactless payments is essential. One of the simplest ways to do this is to set up your kiosk using a Square Stand.
Square Stands are an ideal solution for any small business as they let you quickly and easily turn your tablet into a fully functional checkout, POS, or self-ordering point.
If you’re new to the world of kiosks and need some help, don’t worry. We’re here to answer your questions about the Square Stand and give you a general overview of this useful little product.
A Square Stand is a piece of hardware that lets you turn your AppleiPad into a self-contained POS. It’s effectively an iPad stand — but with a difference.
In addition to holding your tablet in place, the Square Stand features built-in card payment processors, meaning your customers can place orders, scan products, and pay for their items all in one place.
With both Square POS software and kiosk software like KioskBuddy, the stand will accept payments and make checkout or order placing as simple as possible for both customers and staff.
There are two different types of Square Stand: the second-generation Square Stand and the brand-new Square Kiosk.
The Square Stand is a countertop POS that you can swivel to face either the staff member using the tablet or the customer who wants to pay. It’s easy to set up as a flexible tabletop POS thanks to its screw-in or adhesive mount system.
The Square Kiosk, on the other hand, has several different mounting configurations. It works as a wall mount (either flat or at an angle) or a tabletop mount, and you can also install it with a VESA Mount to turn your tablet into a podium or floor stand kiosk. The main difference between the two products is that the Square Kiosk doesn’t swivel — but it can be set up in a variety of ways.
The Square Kiosk’s sleek style will look great in your retail or restaurant business, and its built-in card reader means you don’t need any extra hardware. These features mean the Square Kiosk is perfect if you want to set up a self-service kiosk — you just need to add a tablet and KioskBuddy to run the software.
The Square Stand and Square Kiosk both work in conjunction with the Square POS app. Use the Square app to add all the products you sell or serve in your store, cafe, or restaurant. Once you’ve done this, you can set up the stand:
Connect your tablet to the stand by carefully attaching the iPad to the lightning connector. The stand has a locking enclosure to secure your tablet in place.
Plug in the stand — this will keep the stand powered up and charge your tablet simultaneously.
Keep the tablet plugged in and connected to a Wi-Fi connection at all times.
You can now take card payments on your tablet. Simple!
One of the best ways to use the stand as a self-service device is to use it in conjunction with a kiosk app like KioskBuddy. This will enable customers to place and pay for orders themselves at the touch of a button.
The Square Stand and Square Kiosk can both accept a range of payments thanks to the built-in card payment processors.
Using NFC technology, the stands can accept contactless payments from contactless cards and digital wallets like Apple Pay. Both stands also feature a built-in card reader to accept chip cards. If you want to process card swipes as a form of payment, you can buy an easy-to-install magstripe credit card reader — simply plug it into the headphone jack on your Square Stand or Stand Mount, and you’ll be ready to go.
The stands are also compatible with other hardware options, such as a cash drawer and receipt printer, meaning you can offer your customers flexible payment options.
Both Square stands are compatible with a range of AppleiPad models. If your iPad is between 10.2 inches and 10.5 inches, it can be used with the Square Stand or Square Kiosk. This includes:
iPad7th generation and upward (from 2019 onward)
iPad Air3rd generation (2019)
iPad Pro 10.5”
The stands are not compatible with iPads that are smaller than 10.2 inches or bigger than 10.5 inches. That means they can’t be used with:
iPad mini
iPad Pro 12.9
iPad Pro 9.7
Android tablets are not currently compatible with the Square stands, so tablets such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab or the Surface Pro won’t be suitable for use with the stands.
When you purchase a tablet mount from Square (whether the Square Stand or the new Square Kiosk), it comes with everything you need to set up your kiosk or POS. In the box, in addition to the mount itself, you’ll find a power adaptor and a USB hub, which lets you attach compatible accessories to your system.
The Square Stands also come with a one-year warranty, so you can rest assured that your product is covered in case of failures or errors.
If you purchase the Square Kiosk, it comes with all the brackets and screws you need to attach the stand to the wall or a VESA floor mount (though you’ll have to purchase the VESA product separately).
Both the Square Stand and the Square Kiosk have compatibility with a range of Square accessories that let you turn your tablet into a full cash register. These accessories include:
Bluetooth or USB barcode scanners (ideal for a retail or grocery store self-checkout machine)
Receipt printers
Cash drawers
USB scales (great if your customers need to weigh produce before they buy it)
If your small business needs a full-sized cash register, an all-in-one Square Stand Kit or Square Register Kit may be a better option, as these come with a range of accessories to suit your needs. But if you just need a simple kiosk system, all you need is a tablet and a Square Kiosk. It’s a perfect solution for use in self-service restaurants, for example.
The Square Stand and Square Kiosk are more than just tablet holders; they allow you to set up a freestanding POS or wall-mounted self-service kiosk with ease. Whether you need a height-adjustable system or a stationary mount stand, Square products let you quickly and efficiently transform your tablet into an easy-to-use POS.
To set up your Square Kiosk compatible self-service kiosk, use KioskBuddy to make self-ordering a breeze. Customers can place orders themselves and pay for their items using the Square Stand card reader or NFC payment reader. It’s easy to set up and easy to use.
Sign up for KioskBuddy today to get started.