Hospitality hardware that survives service
Most hospitality tech problems aren't software problems. They're mounting, power and placement problems that were decided in the wrong order.
We supply the hardware your POS, ordering and menu systems run on: counter mounts, tablet enclosures and cases, display mounts and media players. It works with whichever POS platform you've chosen.
Built for Busy Venues
What hospitality venues need
Hospitality is harder on hardware than an office. Equipment runs long hours, gets handled with wet or greasy hands, sits near heat and steam, and is used at pace by staff who can't stop to troubleshoot.
Four things come up in almost every venue: permanent power, so nothing runs on battery during service. Hidden cabling, because any cable at counter height eventually gets pulled. One-handed use, as staff are usually holding something else. And wipeable surfaces for cleaning down at close.
Most venues are also leased, so drilling into walls or running new power isn't always an option. That's where clamp mounts, through-counter mounting and PoE come in.
Three places to get it right
Most venues use technology in three places: at the counter, out on the floor and on the wall. Each one has its own hardware decisions, and getting them right at the start saves costly changes later.
At the Counter
Counter and POS mounting
The biggest decision is whether the screen needs to rotate. If customers sign, tip or tap on the same device staff use to take orders, you need a rotating mount. Changing your mind later means replacing the mount, not adjusting it.
Set the angle from where staff actually stand, not where it looks tidiest. Counter space is limited, so a clamp or through-counter mount frees up the space a weighted base would take.
Plan the cable path before you fix the mount. A through-counter grommet is worth the drilling. A cable running across a wet counter isn't.
On the Floor
Order-at-table and roaming tablets
Roaming tablets will get dropped. A protective case with corner protection and a hand or shoulder strap prevents most of the damage.
Give devices a home where they charge between shifts. Tablets left on a shelf overnight start service at 40 percent and die mid-shift.
Check WiFi where the tablets will actually be used. Good coverage at the counter doesn't mean good coverage at the back corner table.
On the Wall
Digital menu boards
Use a commercial-grade display, not a consumer TV. Consumer TVs are built for around 4 to 8 hours a day in a living room. Commercial panels are rated for 16/7 or 24/7 use, and a TV running 14-hour days in a café is usually outside its warranty.
The media player is the part most venues overlook. A commercial player like Qbic lets you schedule breakfast, lunch and dinner menus to change automatically and update them remotely. No USB sticks, and no winter menu still showing in November.
Mount it clear of steam and direct sun, and size it to the queue. A rough guide is one inch of screen per foot of viewing distance.
Choosing the right hardware
Counter mounts and enclosures
Counter mounts and enclosures
A locked enclosure on a counter mount protects the tablet, blocks the ports and buttons, and keeps it at the right height and angle for staff.
Fixed or rotating
Fixed-angle mounts suit staff-only screens like kitchen order displays. Rotating mounts suit anywhere a customer pays, signs or tips on the same device.
Fixing options
Through-counter mounts hide the cable and save space. Clamp mounts suit leased venues where you can't drill. Weighted bases are easy to move but take up more counter space.
Enclosures are cut for a specific device model, so check your exact tablet model before ordering. Browse desk and counter mounts.
Power and PoE
Power and PoE
Power over Ethernet (PoE) delivers power and network over one cable, so you don't need a power outlet at the counter and there's no adapter for anyone to unplug.
It needs a PoE-enabled switch or injector, and suits fixed positions like counters, kiosks and wall-mounted screens. Roaming tablets still need a charging station.
Whatever you choose, nothing should be running on battery during service. See our power and cables range.
Cases for roaming tablets
Cases for roaming tablets
A roaming tablet needs a case that survives drops, spills and constant handling.
- Corner protection, because most drops land on a corner.
- A hand or shoulder strap so staff can carry it with plates in the other hand.
- A wipeable finish for cleaning down at close.
- Access to the charge port, so it can go straight on to charge between shifts.
Browse tablet cases.
Menu boards and media players
Menu boards and media players
A digital menu board has three parts: the display, the mount and the media player that runs the content.
Display. Choose a commercial panel rated for your trading hours. For standard indoor positions, around 350 to 700 nits is enough. Near a window, you'll need a brighter panel or a better position.
Mount. Use a commercial-grade wall mount with VESA fitting, and keep it away from the pass where steam and heat shorten its life.
Media player. Qbic players are built for 24/7 use, with scheduled power on and off, remote updates and a watchdog timer that restarts the player if it freezes. Nobody in a busy kitchen wants to reboot a menu board mid-service. Our article on watchdog timers explains why that matters.
Locking the POS app
Locking the POS app
Use both physical and software lockdown, so staff and customers can't exit the POS app.
On iPad, Guided Access locks the device to one app. For devices that need to survive a power cut or restart, Single App Mode through device management is more reliable. A locked enclosure with blocked ports covers the physical side.
Our tablet enclosure guide covers both in detail.
Till area security
Till area security
Hospitality theft is usually opportunistic and close to the till: unattended tablets, phones on charge, and high-value stock within reach.
- Secure the device with a locked enclosure, so it can't walk off or be unplugged.
- Position the till so staff can see the entry. A convex mirror covers the corners they can't.
- Use tethers on retail stock or giveaways kept front of house.
- Tag premium spirits on any open shelving.
Remember devices need securing after close too, not just during service.
Find the right hardware for your venue
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Counter and desk mounts
Explore Desk MountsFixed and rotating mounts and locked enclosures for POS and payment, with clamp options for leased venues.
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Tablet cases
Explore Tablet CasesProtective cases with straps for order-at-table and roaming staff. Built to handle drops, spills and long shifts.
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Media players
Explore Media PlayersQbic media players for digital menu boards. Schedule menus by time of day and update them remotely, with no USB sticks.
What to specify
Each part of the venue needs different hardware. Here's what to look for, and what most often gets missed.
| Application | Hardware | Key specification | Most commonly missed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Counter POS | Fixed or rotating counter mount with a locked enclosure | Rotation if customer-facing; angle set from standing height | Cable path decided after the mount is fitted |
| Order-at-table tablet | Protective case with strap | Corner protection; charging point between shifts | WiFi tested at the counter, not at the tables |
| Digital menu board | Commercial display, wall mount and media player | Rated for your trading hours; scheduled content | Consumer TV used for 14-hour days |
| Window-facing display | High-brightness commercial display | Higher brightness; heat management behind glass | Direct sun causing overheating |
| Kitchen or queue display | Commercial display or panel PC on a wall mount | Clear of steam and heat; wipeable | Mounted above the pass where it fogs and overheats |
| Self-order kiosk | Floor stand or counter enclosure | Weighted base; accessible screen height; PoE | Screen too high for seated users |
| Till area | Locked enclosure, convex mirror and tethers | Clear sightline from till to entry | Devices secured during service but not after close |
Common questions
Where should I start?
Where should I start?
Confirm four things before you buy:
- Which devices you're using. Enclosures are cut for a specific model, so check the exact model, not just the screen size.
- Where power and network reach, and whether you're allowed to add either.
- Whether any screen faces a customer. That decides whether you need a rotating mount.
- How many hours a day each screen runs. That decides consumer or commercial display.
If you're fitting out a new venue, talk to us before the counter is built. Cable entry, power and mount positions are cheap to plan at build stage and expensive to retrofit.
Do you supply POS software?
Do you supply POS software?
No. We supply the hardware it runs on and work with whichever POS platform you've chosen, so we can advise on mounting, power and security without pushing you toward a particular software provider.
Can I use a normal TV as a menu board?
Can I use a normal TV as a menu board?
You can, but it isn't rated for it. Consumer TVs are designed for around 4 to 8 hours a day, while commercial displays are rated for 16/7 or 24/7 use. A consumer TV running 14-hour days will usually fail early, and the warranty often excludes commercial use.
Do I need PoE at the counter?
Do I need PoE at the counter?
Not always, but it helps. PoE runs power and network through one cable, so you don't need a power outlet at the counter and there's no adapter to unplug. You'll need a PoE-enabled switch or injector.
Do you offer trade pricing for multi-site groups?
Do you offer trade pricing for multi-site groups?
Yes. Hospitality groups, POS resellers and installers can become a wholesale partner for volume pricing and dedicated support. For help planning a venue, get in touch or call 09-979-5479.