Terminals

A payment terminal is the device that makes the difference between success and frustration at the checkout.

For your customers, it is the last step in the purchasing process. For your business, it is the point where processes work – or come to a standstill. Whether the terminal is mobile at the table, fixed at the checkout or fully automated in the machine makes a big difference to everyday life.

SwiPay supplies ep2-certified terminals from PayTec – mobile, stationary and for unattended operation. All models are approved for the Swiss market and are connected via TeleCash/Fiserv as acquirer.

What a payment terminal actually does during operation

A payment terminal – also known as an EFT terminal or card reader in Switzerland – is the device that establishes the connection between your customers and the payment system. It reads the card or smartphone, establishes a secure connection to the acquirer, obtains authorization and confirms the payment in seconds.

What is relevant for your business: Which model suits your application, whether the terminal is ep2-certified – this is mandatory in Switzerland – and how it is integrated into your POS system. That’s exactly what we’ll look at together.

Three ways to use payment in everyday life

Depending on the business, different forms of payment terminals are used – mobile, stationary or self-service.

Flexible, fast, ready for use anywhere.
They are suitable for situations in which payments are made directly at the customer’s table, on the move or outside a fixed checkout point.

Typical applications:

  • Service in restaurants
  • Delivery models and take-away
  • Events & Markets
  • Advice and sales outside the point of sale

Mobile terminals create mobility in the payment process and are suitable where processes are not tied to a fixed location.

Stationary terminals are used where payments are tied to a fixed location. They are typically used at fixed checkout points – for example at the bar, at the main checkout or at reception.

Typical applications:

  • Checkout stations in the retail trade
  • Service stations in restaurants
  • Reception & check-in
  • Service companies with clear processes

Stationary terminals support clear processes and are particularly suitable where there is a constant flow of payments at the same location.

Unattended payment is used where payments are processed without direct support. This form of payment is typically used for vending machines, access systems or self-order solutions – wherever processes are automated.

Typical applications:

  • Ticketing & access
  • Vending machines
  • Self-Order / Self-Checkout
  • Parking and infrastructure

Unattended terminals enable autonomous operation and ensure stable payment processes – even outside traditional opening hours.

Find the solution that suits your business now:

Mobile payment terminals

For service & flexible use

Stationary payment terminals

For fixed cash registers & clear processes

Self-service terminals

For self-service & 24/7 operation

Mobile or stationary – what suits what?

In practice, a simple pattern emerges:
Wherever payments are made at the guest’s premises or on the move, mobile terminals are used. mobile terminals are used.
Where customers come to a fixed checkout point, stationary terminals are used. stationary terminals are used.

Many Swiss businesses combine both. Mobile terminals in service, stationary terminals at the bar or checkout. This shortens distances, reduces waiting times and clearly structures processes.

When self-service makes sense

Self-service terminals are used where payments are to be made without direct support. Typical conditions are

  • Longer or changing opening hours
  • Recurring, small transactions
  • a high transaction volume
  • the desire to automate processes

Unattended payment can stabilize and relieve processes – provided that the processes are clearly defined and designed for self-service.

Classification at the end

Whether mobile, stationary or unattended – the choice of terminal depends on where you pay, how many transactions you run daily and whether cash register integration is necessary. There is no universally correct answer, but there is an answer that suits your business.

If you’re not sure which terminal this is, we’ll help you classify it – free of charge and without obligation.

Mobile payment

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