From idea to final product: The Design Journey of the New Electronic Cash Register

The business and commercial landscape is rapidly evolving, pushing companies to integrate advanced technological solutions to improve efficiency and adapt to modern market and user needs. In this context, we embarked on an ambitious design journey in collaboration with Labware, a globally recognized leader in the hospitality and retail market, providing complete and integrated management solutions. Labware manufactures P.O.S. (Point of Sales) systems, P.O.S. printers, kitchen displays, self ordering and integrated wireless communication systems for front and back office solutions. The purpose of the collaboration was to design smaRT, a new telematic cash register.

Business Opportunity

An extraordinary business opportunity presented itself for the company with the introduction of the mandatory transition, starting from 2024, of all retailers and merchants from a traditional cash register to a telematic one. This telematic system, through its connection to the network, would allow the automatic and direct submission of receipts to the tax agency's exchange system. The project was quite ambitious: to design from scratch a telematic cash register in about 6 months and present it at the SIGEP, the International Trade Show of Artisan Gelato, Pastry, Bakery and the Coffee World in Rimini.

Launch of the Project

This journey undertaken was not only a road to innovation but also a collaborative venture that had started with discussions over the company. Already in this domain, the company had been able to develop and refine an idea of what the key features and technologies the product should have, greatly leaning on the accumulated expertise and understanding of the market demands. Brainstorming sessions, aimed at laying a groundwork for the project, further enriched with concepts and ideas to be implemented into the new product. The focus of discussions was on what functionalities the telematic cash register needed to have to not only meet but exceed current market standards. These included the technology stack to be used, the user interface design, security features, and compliance with regulatory requirements. The first phase of the collaboration was very useful to have been implemented during the phase of alignment for project vision with practical and innovative solutions.

Research and Analysis

A thorough research phase was crucial to fully understand regulatory contexts, emerging technologies, and user expectations. We examined local tax regulations, trends in the restaurant and retail sectors, and cutting-edge telematic technologies. This allowed us to outline key requirements and identify innovation opportunities.

Real world observation

After completing the mapping of the product range of the main competitors and their key features, the research continued in the field. We carried out direct observational work in the places where these types of products are used, such as shops, restaurants, shopping centers, and ice cream shops, in order to extract design ideas.

We have noted the placement of the cash register on the counter, which accessories are predominantly used in proximity to the product, how power and network connection cables are managed, and how the register is used in conjunction with electronic payment devices.

Product key features definition

At the end of the research phase, we outlined all the functionalities and technologies that smaRT should contain in order to have a complete overview of the components to be introduced to start working on the layout and configuration of the product. The selection criteria for these functionalities and technologies were based on several factors, including innovation potential, user demand, implementation feasibility, and compatibility with existing systems. By prioritizing these elements, we aimed to ensure that "smaRT" would not only meet the current expectations of our target audience but also adapt to future technological advancements and market shifts.

Armed with this detailed overview of the necessary components, the next step involves transitioning to the layout and configuration phase of the product development. This phase will focus on designing a coherent and functional architecture that aligns with the identified requirements. It entails drafting preliminary design mock-ups, establishing a scalable product infrastructure, and setting up a development roadmap that outlines each stage of the product creation process. The ultimate goal is to create a blueprint that seamlessly integrates all selected functionalities and technologies into "smaRT", ensuring a solid foundation for the subsequent development phases.

Layout configurations

After the initial phase of defining the key features that "smaRT" should possess, we transitioned to a meticulous examination of various component configuration options. This exploration was crucial to determine the optimal form factor that would not only embody the envisioned functionality but also adhere to user-centric design principles. To undertake this task, we adopted a comprehensive approach that involved generating multiple design prototypes, each representing a different arrangement of components and form factors.

The evaluation of these alternatives was guided by a set of carefully selected criteria, paramount among them being ergonomics and ease of use. This involved assessing how comfortably the product fits into the user's daily life, including its handling, interaction, and the user's physical engagement with the device. We prioritized designs that promised a natural and intuitive user experience, minimizing strain and maximizing usability.

Another critical factor in our analysis was the overall footprint of the resulting product. We aimed to create a device that is compact and efficient in its use of space, yet without compromising on functionality. This balance was essential to ensure that the product could easily integrate into various environments.

Initial Sketches and Concepts

The ideation phase took shape through sketches and conceptual drawings. We explored various ergonomic configurations and form factors. Additionally, we aimed to introduce a concept of expandability for the product through accessories positioned next to the cash register, which could assist the retailer in having a more organized workstation. These accessories allow for the enhancement of the cash register's functionalities, such as the ability to place a smartphone on a dedicated support for using smart functions that the cash register (in its basic version) is unable to handle. In addition to this, we envisioned that this series of accessories could create an ecosystem to enhance the retail space (customization of the front panel or business card holder) and expedite certain operations, such as barcode/QR code scanning.

Design Development

With the basic design conceived, we moved on to development, focusing on technical and functional features. We thus created 5 different concepts, each with unique and distinctive features. Each concept is derived from careful utilization of the internal space to contain all components in the smallest footprint possible, as the space factor is a crucial element for the end user in choosing an object that will occupy part of the countertop. At the end of this phase, one of the concepts was selected in agreement with the client, which would then proceed to the next phase of optimization.

Concept Optimization

After a careful analysis of the chosen concept, a list of critical factors and possible solutions to implement has been drafted.

The raised critical points were:

• The cantilevered keyboard could create stability issues during use > design a base with correct weight and dimension to give perfect stability.
• Sharp edges could cause problems during the molding phase > optimize overall edges with smoother fillets.
• Excessive thickness of the keyboard body > reduce "visible" thickness of the keyboard body, design a bump on the hidden side to contain keyboard internal components and connectors
• The printer door with an integrated customer display could pose reliability problems.

In agreement with Labware, it was decided to optimize the concept, applying the following changes:

1. Separate the customer display from the paper-roll door.
2. Find a solution to open the roll door (preferably by acting at the center of the door to avoid flexing and / or increase door strenght by adding structural ribs and a metal insert).
3. Design a solution that harmoniously integrates the lens cover with the front of the paper-roll door (areas with a glossy plastic finish that recall the finishing of the lens cover).
4. Recessed power button to avoid accidental machine shutdowns.
5. Add backlit on the Labware logo.
6. Bottom shell with a keyboard storage area that also serves as structural support
7. Optimize the distance between connectors and the support base
8. Keyboard plastic chassis shared with the 8" tablet version.
9. Ribbed plastic base with a minimum thickness of 3.5 mm.
10. Reduce the dimensions of the user-side display lens cover and provide continuity on the right side.
11. Use a power supply with dimensions of 88 x 40 x 28 mm. It is possible to use a right-angle power connector with a cable lock.

Prototyping and Testing

The prototyping phase was crucial to translate ideas into reality. Physical prototypes and were used to test robustness, ergonomics and usability. Iterations were numerous, reflecting a commitment to optimizing performance and addressing any challenges that emerged during testing.

The selected concept then moved into the hands of the technical department at Labware, where a pre-engineering phase of the product began.

The research and development department of Labware has carried out an extensive product optimization effort. The base of the object (on the left, in the picture below) includes space for accommodating the power supply, holes for housing connectors for power, LAN, and various USB ports, slots to allow the passage of cables behind and on the sides of the base itself. The central shell (on the right) houses the location for the customer display, the housing for the printer and paper roll, the fastenings for the single PCB of the product to which all internal components are soldered (to optimize costs), the attachment points with the keyboard or the 8" tablet, and the attachment of the fiscal seal.

Finalization

Once the technical material necessary for the first mass production was completed, we finalized the product by choosing colors and finishes, graphic details on the lens covers, meanwhile the UI designer team defined the user interface of the customer display, the user display, and the 8" tablet in the top-of-the-line version.

Launch of the product

About 6 months after the project started, smaRT was officially presented at SIGEP in Rimini in January 2024 at the Labware booth.

On the same opening day of the fair, smaRT received the award in the Digital Innovation category promoted by the fair organization.

It was a wonderful journey!

Ad maiora!