Choosing The Right Fit For Your Business: Anatomy Of A Cash Drawer

The cash drawer, in varying forms, has been a core component of the retail business for as long as people have exchanged money for goods. Any business accepting hard currency needs one but choosing the best  cash drawer requires planning, consideration, and a little research. Drawers are available in a variety of models, colors, sizes, features, connectivity options, till configurations and construction materials. Determining which best suits your business requires an assessment of your specific needs:

• What currency are you using?
• What type of store environment do you have?
• Do you have any storage or size considerations would you need to keep in mind?

Cash drawers range from basic to full-featured models and offer different levels of durability. A fast-food environment, where drawers are opened and closed frequently, demands a heavy-duty model with an all-steel case while a boutique store selling clothes or specialty items has more modest requirements. Drawer placement also comes into play, as some will fit under the counter (this normally requires a cash drawer under counter mounting bracket) while others sit on the counter with all of the related POS hardware – monitor, keyboard, scanner and printer – typically located on top of it. Different types of cash drawer mounting brackets allow you to locate your drawer and till solution in the most convenient place for operation.

Whatever the needs of the business, APG has a drawer for you. This document explains the different parts of the cash drawer to acquaint you with available options in type, size, accessories, components and features. We also discuss important differences between drawers and which models best suit which types of businesses.