Quick service restaurants have traditionally operated on ticketing systems that keep things simple, minimizing their overhead and limiting payment options to cash in many cases. As consumer behavior has changed, that’s also changed, though, and today most chains take credit cards as a matter of course. With more and more demand every year for options like electronic payment chips and wide access to credit cards, today’s QSR operations are widely adopting the versatile and low-cost point of sale options that have made other small businesses so efficient over the last decade.

Picking Up Credit Card Processing Services

It’s not enough to just decide you want to take cards, you need both equipment and processing services. While you can buy the equipment from a wide variety of sources, you’re going to find the best deals tend to come from companies that can also handle your payment processing. When you take credit cards, the transaction involves approval from the credit card provider and issuing bank, and then a series of transfers between their accounts and your merchant account. Merchant account providers incentivize their services quite frequently with deals on the equipment you need to start taking card payments.

Super-Charge Your Quick Service With Clover

No brand of POS hardware has made the impact that Clover has in at least the last decade, if not longer. The original system redefined what a flexible POS option could be by providing a modular approach you could adapt to almost any business. The new Clover system builds on that, incorporating customer feedback to build in options your business can really benefit from.

• EMV processing out of the box
• Bigger display screen
• Integrated time sheet management
• Inventory tracking
• Marketing insights

It also incorporated popular familiar features from the first generation in the design, like the ability to manage gift card sales and redemption. That makes it versatile enough to work for practically any company, especially when you see the extra tools for restaurants.

Compact Payment Management

If you’re looking for a system with a tiny countertop footprint you can put wherever you have a checkout kiosk, look no further than the Booker POS. It uses the familiar Clover interface and its powerful modular toolkit while presenting a much smaller profile than the full-size system. While you will need to add on a physical cash drawer and printer if you want them, it’s got a low price point and the ability to process all existing electronic payment methods, so it will set your operation up for success out of the box. The best part about the Booker system is it can be managed remotely from your mobile device or PC.

Which One Is Best for Your QSR?

The best choice for your restaurant is going to depend on your setup. If you’re operating from a mobile location like a food truck, you might want to consider a cellular machine like the Clover Flex. For other operations, the setup with the best combination of options for your specific needs will be the best one for your next purchase. Talking to a payment processing partner about those options can help you clarify your needs so you make a better investment, so make contact today.

 

 

Let’s say that you’ve decided to take a long trip. Surely you have used to the humidity levels when you’re at home. But a change of environment can change all of that. Sometimes it might be difficult for you to adapt to the specific levels of humidity when you’re in a foreign place. That’s why a lot of people bring with them humidifiers so that you won’t have trouble with foreign humidity. Different humidity affects people differently. If you’ve seen the episode in Friends where Monica’s hair reaches a particular volume, then you know what it is about. Click on the link for more https://www.wsj.com/articles/office-too-dry-try-a-travel-size-humidifier-1453232996.

Moreover, it’s always practical to carry a humidifier with you if you’re facing health issues as well. It’s suitable for individuals that have allergies or are traveling with a baby. It’s also useful for those that have respiratory problems and have a recommendation from a doctor to use this device. Whatever the reasons behind it, it won’t cause any damage to the skin or provoke other health issues as well. There’s nothing worse than getting a hotel room where the air is dry and stagnant. Here are the reasons why everyone should consider buying a travel humidifier:

Good for the skin

Hydration is essential for our skin. It helps keeps the surface fresh and without acne or irritation. A humidifier will give you enough moisture to have a refreshed look. Not only that but if you already have issues with your skin, a humidifier can aid you in removing them. If our face doesn’t get enough moisture, then it begins to break and irritate. That’s why wherever you’re traveling, you won’t know how the situation with the humidity is. It’s advisable that you carry a humidifier with you to prevent a further problem.

Health issues

As mentioned above, those that have problems with breathing are supposed to carry humidifiers with them. It helps their lungs breathe in the necessary moisture to ease their coughs. Those that have asthma can breathe a lot better and feel more relaxed. Dry coughs can e a huge nuisance, especially when you have a cold. The device will help you cough out the undesirable bacteria that are stuck in your lungs. If you notice that the air is too dry, then this will lead to irritation. On top of that, it will aggravate the lungs making you cough even more. Click here.

Better sleep

You have surely noticed by now that during winter the air can be a little too dry in the house. The same thing can happen whether you go skiing in another city. You walk into your hotel room and can’t’ seem to fall asleep because of the quality of air. A travel humidifier will provide you the necessary comfort you deserve. You would be able to breathe and feel better, and also the air quality will improve in a minute. No more stale and dry air to prevent you from getting a good night sleep.

Lightweight

The devices are not heavy and difficult to pack. You can quickly put one in your bag and use it whenever you like. Also, you can place them near your bed or any place that is available to you. That’s why people take them on their journeys. They are not a nuisance, and they make you feel better. Also, they are extremely easy to use. If you’re the type of person that enjoys a soundless sleep, the device has you covered. They are not noisy, and you won’t hear a single sound disturbing your sleep. Let your vacation go as planned. So go ahead and get the Best Travel Humidifier there is.

Adjustable

Of course, the device comes with different settings that you can maneuver. You can either go for a lot of mist or adjust it to minimal production. Some of them have gorgeous designs that are appealing to customers. But you shouldn’t get a humidifier based on its appearance. Whichever one you choose, you can use it extremely easy because it has only one purpose. If elders can find a way to use them, then so can you. You can adjust the settings at your will and have a memorable experience on your trip.

To read more on topics like this, check out the tech stuff category.

In the past, you may have heard of numerous businesses being able to do everything themselves when it came to creating a website. The internet used to have websites for businesses which were merely more or less just placeholder for information about a business; now websites are not only the standard necessity for a business to become massively successful, but they are also where most people will also shop for just about anything, from goods, all the way to services that a company may offer or provide, as well as finding jobs with companies and more. So, we’re going to express some reasons in this article about why you need a web design and best digital marketing agency in the Bay Area for your business.

• You Have More Time for Your Business
  By hiring a web design and digital marketing agency, you’re saving a lot of time for yourself and your business so you can do what you need to do. If you’re wanting to do this all internally, you have to hire more manpower in your company, invest more money and time for training, and other aspects that can ultimately become a burden. You don’t have to train a web design agency that already has experience doing this. You simply ask for the service, purchase it and they provide. They’ll handle all the aspects from creation to the launching of digital marketing strategies, and this leaves you more time to worry about your company’s own time consuming assets and get more done.
• You Save Money Hiring an Agency
  As mentioned earlier, think about all of the costs you would be cutting for your business. In order to do this, you have to pay for the cost of labor, the tools needed to get the job done, insurance for those employees, and even everything you need in order to just hire them. Let alone if a person doesn’t work out and you have to fire them (which can actually be an expensive asset to your business as well). By hiring a digital marketing agency, you save on all of these costs. You are hiring a team in the Bay Area that’s already developed and just outsourcing. You don’t have to pay their employees hourly or project rates like you would your own, you don’t have to pay their insurance, you don’t have to pay for all of the software needs they may have.
• Sometimes You Can Have Epiphanies
  One of the coolest things about hiring a web design and digital marketing agency is that you can come up with new ways to market your business and build a strong online presence. Some companies just haven’t switched to the medium of social media yet (or they’re very minimal), as well as incorporating other methods of online marketing, web stores, advertising and more. Hiring a digital marketing agency in the Bay Area can benefit because not only are you not paying for the individual hours, you don’t have to spend all of the time yourself brainstorming new ideas. They can help you get insight on how to use things such as Google Ad Sense, and social media advertising methods in order to help get your business out there even further.

Join the discussion on this topic with Journey Tool Kit by visiting our contact page.

If you’re in the market for your next laptop, you could be one of two main categories of buyers. The first is the category of gaming enthusiasts and users who absolutely must have the newest of gadgets and the latest of models with the best specifications available in the market. This category of users may also include professionals like designers, architects, and similar experts who need the newest of applications to do their job.

Then, there is the second category of users who need a model that is compliant with the latest developments of the internet. And, can perform little more than just the basic functions. If this is you and you’re looking for a laptop that works well, but is also economical, consider checking out the refurbished laptops available on most manufacturer and other dealers websites.

The interesting thing about refurbished gadgets is that with a little research, you should be able to find a barely used or almost brand new device for much lower prices than a similar model that has never been opened.

Here are some of the important factors to keep in mind when looking for a refurbished laptop.

1. Look for a Model that is Less than 6 Months Old

Like this feature on Life Hacker explains, when considering the different models, check for the date when the particular model was first released in the market. If the date is around 6 to 8 months old, you’ll know that the laptop likely hasn’t been used much. Keep in mind that new laptops may make their way to the refurbished market even if they have been returned to the seller without ever having been opened.

Like, for instance, a gift that the recipient didn’t want or a billing error. But, once the gadget has been dispatched from the company, the law does not allow the company to sell it as a new device. You could also be lucky enough to find a device that arrived with damaged packaging because of which it was returned even though the device was actually untouched.

2. Buy from a Reputable Company

The best place to look for a refurbished laptop in on the website of the original manufacturer. On receiving returned gadgets, companies conduct extensive testing on them to check for defects, missing components, or even, missing accessories because of which they were rejected. Here’s another interesting fact. Companies may check only one or two devices in an entire lot by way of quality control checks. But, before putting up refurbished gadgets in the market, they check every piece thoroughly for functionality.

Aside from the manufacturing company, you can also safely rely on dealers like Amazon, Newegg, ReUsetek, Best Buy, or other such companies. These dealers have Microsoft-certified technicians on board that check devices carefully and repair them if needed before placing them on the sales pages.

3. Choose a Refurbished Laptop that Comes with a Warranty

If the dealer offers you a warranty and has an attractive return policy, you can know for sure that the gadget is worth buying. For instance, Apple and PCRR stand by their refurbishes by providing a 1-year warranty. Other vendors may have their individual policies like Microsoft that extends a 90-day warranty. The LaptopMag advises that a warranty or return-back policy gives you the opportunity to test the product and make sure it is in good working order. In case you aren’t quite happy with your refurbished laptop, you can always return it for a new gadget. However, you may want to check with the vendor for any restocking fee you may have to pay to return the device.

4. Opt for a Corporate Leased Device

If you want to be sure that the laptop does not have a reported manufacturing fault or is possibly not working, you can opt for the corporate leased devices. As the name suggests, these gadgets have been leased by big companies for a couple of years. Like the folks on NerdWallet will tell you, once the contract ends, the gadgets find their way back to the companies. Here they are checked for flaws, signs of wear, and functionality. If they pass quality checks, they’re put back for sale. But, if you note dents and scratches, you may want to pass up on the offer.

Like Microsoft refurbisher Cade explains, “We try to make the product look good — especially keyboards, cases, palm rests — those things have to be in Grade A shape. If you get a laptop that doesn’t look nice, or there’s scratches, or the keyboard is wonky, it may be an indication that they didn’t do a good job of making the computer run.”

5. Check for the Condition Statement Accompanying the Gadget

A reputable company selling you a refurbished laptop will give you a complete list of the possible faults with the gadget in detail. Check out this feature on Windows Central that advises you to check the statement before making your choice. However, many of the best-sellers like Apple or Amazon may not provide this description, but only give you standardized statement with each refurbished product. But, since they also give you a warranty, you can safely buy gadgets from such companies.

Keep in mind that the “opened box” tag may have all different kinds of implications. For instance, the gadget may have been used in a trade show or retail store to give demonstrations to buyers before being repackaged and sold as refurbished. Such devices have a rare possibility of having any defects.

Buying a refurbished laptop in place of a brand new closed box gadget may have a ton of positives besides, of course, being cheaper. By spending a small amount of time researching for the right gadget, you may just be able to find a little-used device at very attractive prices. And, prevent an almost-unused device from ending up at the recycling plant. Try it!

Are you ready to upgrade to a new laptop or smartphone?

Before you begin browsing the internet for the latest of gadgets and the most advanced of features they come with, you may want to spare a few minutes to think about what you’re going to do with the devices you have lying around the house.

Most households have a corner crammed with old phones, laptops. PCs, tablets, and perhaps, even servers. For the average user, data destruction doesn’t seem like something important enough. You may choose to donate the old gadgets or sell them back to the original manufacturer when you buy the new device. What you probably don’t remember is that your old gadgets carry a lot of valuable information locked away in their hard drives. In an age where cybercriminals use the most advanced of strategies to harvest the data in old gadgets, you may be handing valuable information to them on a “platter.” (Pun intended!)

Be Aware of the Possibility of Security Leaks from Endpoint Gadgets

Check out this feature on Experian that informs how consumers lost $905 million in the year 2017 alone because of fraud. Experts in the usage and secure disposal of digital devices have been warning about the importance of securing your endpoint gadgets. “Endpoint Gadgets” is a term that includes all the electronic devices you use that are connected through servers in a data center. The laptop, smartphone, or tablet you use could prove to be an entry point for a hacker trying to get hold of personal information for identity thefts.

In case you’ve been using your devices for work, they may contain enough sensitive company data that can endanger the interests of the vendors, customers, business partners, and any other stakeholders working in the organization. Even if you no longer work for your old company, securing its data is your responsibility.

So, What is Data Destruction All About?

Before donating your gadgets or taking them to a manufacturer or dealer for the purpose of exchanging for a newer device, you may want to check with a certified data destruction agency. Like the expert technicians at All Green Electronics Recycling typically suggest, choose from two alternatives for securing an old laptop:

• You can request that the agency use government-approved DOD protocols for wiping the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or Solid State Drive (SSD). These methods involve overwriting the data multiple times so that it is impossible to decipher even if a potential hacker uses the most advanced of methods.
• You can request to dispose of the data storage device by shredding it so that the information absolutely cannot be retrieved. Later, the shards are sent to recycling plants where sophisticated machines reduce them to the alloy state so they can be reused. For added indemnity, you’ll receive a certificate which indicates the serial number of the destroyed hard drive further absolving you of any responsibility. This method is the safest form of data destruction. Of course, if you intend to sell the old gadget, you may receive a lower price since the buyer will have to buy a new hard drive. But, the security you buy in exchange is well worth the discounted rate.

Yes! Smartphones Are at Risk Too!

If you’ve always thought that buying a smartphone from a reputable company safeguards your data, think again! As recently as in August 2018, the BGR reported an incident where a 16-year old kid hacked into Apple’s safest database and managed to harvest 90GB of data including sensitive files. Using this information, he was able to access customer accounts by deciphering log-in authorized keys that should be absolutely secure. To add insult to injury, he stored the stolen data in a folder cheekily marked, “hacky hack hack.”

When Apple detected the breach, they initiated an investigation that led them to Australia. Although the kid’s name was not disclosed since he is a minor, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) confiscated two laptops, a hard drive, and a mobile phone that the kid used for the hacking.

Securing Your Old Smartphone and Tablet is Also Essential

Should you check the internet, you’ll find some of the easiest methods to wipe the data from your smartphone or tablet before selling it. Check out this feature on CNet that explains how you should not only remove the SIM card, but also, the microSD card you’ve been using for extra data storage. Here are some of the best steps to follow.

• Save all the data in your devices by backing up on the cloud.
• Using the device, log out of all the accounts you’ve been using including email, social media, applications, bank accounts, and any other. Erasing the applications using the default setting is the ideal and usually effective way to erase the data on your phone.
• Back up the data on your microSD card by transferring the files to cloud storage. To do this, you may want to buy a SanDisk microSD reader and use it to connect the chip with your laptop or PC. Having saved all the important data, you can now conduct an encryption by selecting the Quick Format option and wipe the disk.
• If you intend to use the chip with the new cellphone, this step for data destruction is not necessary. However, experts do warn you to conduct this backup from time to time in case you lose or damage the gadget.
• Having removed the SIM card and microSD card, it is advisable to note down and store the serial number of the device before you sell it.

Even as manufacturers are working on developing new devices that are immune to attacks from hackers, it is unfortunate that the cybercriminals are getting smarter. On your part, you must take the essential data destruction steps to secure the information in your gadgets before your upgrade to the newer ones. Use the most secure data destruction practices and protect yourself from security leaks and identity thefts.