About project
Shops are constantly seeking new ways to automate processes and reduce costs, often relying on POS systems. We participated in developing an automated POS system for a startup in the EU. The system is based on Android devices with custom hardware and a backend server. By implementing this system, administrators can reduce purchase times and minimize queues within the shop. Additionally, the system can be expanded to operate in a self-service mode.
About client
Our company had a request to assist in developing hardware and software for the Belgian startup in small shop automation. The main idea of their project is to simplify the shopping experience through self-management and payment. The system can reduce costs and simplify shop management.
Their product provides:
- Simplify the work of stores that use scales to weigh goods.
- Keep track of the remaining goods.
- Equipment management system.
- Speed up the work of cashiers.
- Access to statistics and user purchases.
Challenge
- Design affordable hardware that can be placed in stores.
- Design and development of reliable Tablet apps.
- Convenient admin panel for shop management.
- Assemble and configure several devices for system testing.
- Simple integration with existing systems.
- Development of a user-friendly interface and accessible instructions for installing the system that will be understandable for people with a non-technical education.
What We Did
- Used a modern software architecture for mobile apps that's easy to improve and support.
- Designed, soldered, and wired custom PCBs to connect tablets, card readers, external weighing scales, and receipt printers.
- Designed and 3D printed enclosures for devices.
- Designed web admin panel and server to link all elements together.
- Provided a dedicated design and development team with a whole skill set to complete projects from idea to final assembly.
General system architecture:
System includes:
- Android application to control weighing scales and user baskets.
- Admin Android application to control baskets, pay and print receipts.
- Web Admin dashboard to manage devices, stocks, and products.
- Design and assembled custom devices based on Android tablets, custom PCBs, card readers, weighing scales, and thermal printers.
Results
Automated POS - is a custom system that provides a simplified and convenient way to weigh and pay for fruits and veggies. The project has a lot of benefits:
- Reduced the work of the cashier or replaced them;
- Customers can make purchases without interaction with a cashier;
- Prepared a project for investor evaluation;
- The waiting time in a queue in a small store with 1 cash register was on average 4 minutes with an average store load, and after the introduction of the Android POS system - 2.5 minutes (reduced by 38%).
Platform
Android
iOS
Technologies
Kotlin
Java
Python
C
Android
PCB
Tools
Figma
Adobe Illustrator
Term
9 weeks
Team
UI/UX Designer
Mobile Developer
Electronic Engineer
BackEnd Developer
QA