Most cash registers for sale today may come with a lot of bells and whistles, but getting the best performance out of them still comes down to human attention to detail. If you're clever enough to make your cash registers into more than just a money box on the counter, you have the kind of innovative business spirit it takes to succeed.

Making the most of cash registers means finding ways of integrating them into pricing, security or advertising systems that you already have in place or may be thinking of implementing. Here are just a few of the ways in which you can accessorize or enhance cash registers and increase business success:

1. Move your store register one step closer to automated cash registers by adding a bar code scanning unit.

2. Keep careful tabs on your money with cash register compatible surveillance systems.

3. Use custom paper to save money on printing fancy logos or messages on your receipts.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Upgrade your point of sale cash register to a scanning system

While the smallest companies may not be able to justify the extra cost, almost every business would benefit from the increased speed and efficiency of adding a scanner to its cash register system.

I recommend: DirectPOS and E System Sales both sell a variety of hand-held and countertop bar code scanners, ranging from CCD (charge-coupled device) to hand-held laser to omni-directional scanning technology.

Protect your point of sale cash registers against employee theft

The cash register was originally created to reduce employee theft. Take security a step further by implementing a text-overlay cash register surveillance system so you can easily review cash register transaction information on your video surveillance screen.

I recommend: Automated Video Systems and Skyway Security both sell point-of-sale surveillance units that plug directly into your cash register and overlay the cash register information onto your video surveillance screen or tape.

Imitate fancy features with the right cash register paper

Some of the more expensive cash registers are capable of printing in color and even adding a custom logo or message to each transaction. If your cash register doesn't have this feature you can approximate the effect by using custom printed cash register paper with your company's logo on it. Even if your register can print custom logos, you may find that letting someone else do the printing saves you money on ink.

I recommend: Both POS Supply Solutions and Sunshine Support & POS sell rolls of custom printed register receipt paper.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you're adding a scanning system to your current cash register, remember to make sure you're prepared for either adding custom bar codes to freight--you may need a specialized printer as it arrives--or that you have the right software for scanning the bar codes already in place.

Cash registers have been the workhorses of retail since they were invented in 1879 by a tavern owner who wanted to keep his employees' hands out of the till. Cash registers remain the most important piece of equipment in a retail store.

And while many businesses are moving to more costly and sophisticated point-of-sale (POS) systems that involve computers, barcodes and software, basic cash register models still offer many small businesses a number of benefits, including:

1. Low cost
2. Ease of use
3. Few components

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get the register basics

Whether you choose the most basic battery-operated cash register or an electronic model, it should perform the following functions: record sales and return transactions, add or subtract items on your customer's bill, provide price look-ups (PLUs), calculate correct change to customers, offer tax tables and print receipts from a built-in printer. Cash registers should also include a locked cash drawer.

I recommend: For the best selection of budget-conscious choices, visit cash register specialists such as RoyalSupplies.com or CashRegisterStore.com, which offers recommendations for small businesses, startups and kiosks. You can also order low-cost models at OfficeDepot.

Consider advanced features

Depending on your needs, you may want a cash register that connects to multiple registers and printers, prints graphic logos on receipts, provides better reporting capabilities and offers an LCD display.

I recommend: Cash Register Distributors Warehouse gives you the option to shop by price so you can see the features offered in higher-end models.

Restaurant-specific cash registers

Cash registers designed for the restaurant business generally offer spill-resistant keyboards and can be programmed for menu items. They also offer the ability to connect to printers in your kitchen so cooks receive orders automatically.

I recommend: Find restaurant cash registers at RestTech.com or POSNation.com.

Remember the software

Many cash registers require software so you can charge the proper sales taxes, run monthly or daily reports and identify sales by department or employee. Low-cost models often include basic software; higher-end registers can require software to be purchased separately.

I recommend: CashRegistersOnline.com offers a host of software programs that allow you to run reports, track inventory or integrate your data into QuickBooks.

Cash-challenged? Consider a second-hand model

If you want to get more features but can't afford the extra cost, look into a pre-owned cash register. Many suppliers sell refurbished machines at a major savings.

I recommend: Find low-cost, refurbished cash registers at CashRegisterStore.com.

Stock up on register supplies

Keep your cash register running at all times by maintaining an adequate supply of paper rolls or thermal paper rolls to print receipts and ink ribbons.

I recommend: Secure your cash register supplies at CashRegistersOnline.com or RoyalSupplies.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  On very basic cash registers, the only thing you may need to program into your cash register is your local tax rate. Your product manual should include simple instructions for this. Some suppliers will program your cash register for you.
• •  Some suppliers will give you money back on your old cash register when you purchase a new one.
• •  Determine minimum and maximum amounts of cash to keep in the cash drawer. If most of your customers pay with checks or credit cards, you won't need to keep much cash on hand.

While their essential function has changed little since their introduction in 1879, cash registers have come a long way. Instead of wood, bronze and brass creatures toting up cash purchases, you're much more likely to encounter a sleek machine made of space-age metal or plastic. You'll even find automated cash registers and computerized POS registers (point of sale registers) that are capable of handling a wide variety of transactions and payment methods on their own.

While supplies for cash registers typically aren't very expensive, they're crucial to the success and integrity of your business. A missed or mistaken order can mean missing out on sales, or can compromise the integrity of your sales records. Before ordering parts or supplies for your cash registers, do the following:

1. Check to see whether you need more paper and ink for your registers.

2. Carefully write down the part number or description of any missing cash register parts you need to replace.

3. Double-check to make sure all cash register keys are accounted for.

Action Steps
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Find the best deals on cash register paper and ink

The two supplies that almost every cash register uses most frequently are paper and ink for printing receipts. Stock up on these crucial supplies to keep your business transactions running smoothly.

I recommend: POSPaper.com sells a wide variety of cash register paper and promises to meet or beat any advertised price on the Internet. OfficeSupplyOutfitters offers ink rollers and ribbon for many cash register brands, along with a "Triple Protection Guarantee" that includes price matching.

Find replacement parts for your store register

From big business point of sale cash registers to a Mom and Pop store's money machine, all good things must eventually come to an end. When a part finally breaks on your beloved cash register, being able to find a replacement quickly will help keep your business flowing smoothly.

I recommend: OlsonBros sells replacement cash trays and inserts for several cash register brands. Some shops focus on selling parts for single brands--Cash Register Sale, Service & Supply, for example, specializes in parts for Sharp registers.

Get replacement manuals and keys from cash register suppliers

The two items that came with your cash register that are most likely to get misplaced--and cause chaos as a result--are the cash register key and the programming manual. You can avert disaster by tucking the register manual underneath the machine or stowing it nearby, and by having at least one or two spare keys easily accessible to trusted employees.

I recommend: If you've managed to misplace your cash register manual, the Cash Register Store sells replacements and mini reference manuals to help with register programming. If you've managed to lose your cash register key or keys and need a replacement, check out Cash Registers Online. If you can't find one there, contact the manufacturer directly for a replacement.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Finding supplies for cash registers for sale is not difficult; remembering to order well before you run out can be a little more challenging. Calculate the maximum shipping time to receive new supplies, estimate how many rolls of paper or ink supplies you typically use in that time period, add a little extra to create a 'fudge factor,' then set the appropriate amount of supplies aside in a box or bag. When you or your employees have to reach into that box or bag for supplies, you know it's time to reorder right away.

Cash registers are an important part of any retail business. They keep track of money and, if it has a coin dispenser, can make change automatically. Others may integrate credit card acceptance or keep track of inventory. In short, every retail business should carefully consider which type of cash register is right for them. Part of doing this is making sure that you understand the terminology that is related to cash registers. This helps you to know what features to look for and which ones you can pass up to save money.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Point-of-sale (POS) system

A point-of-sale or POS system is a sophisticated type of cash register that helps retail companies keep track of inventory. As items are scanned and purchased, the system will note that the particular item has been sold.

I recommend: The Microsoft Small Business Center discusses seven reasons why you might want to switch to a point of sale system.

Price look up (PLU)

A price look up, or PLU, is a number that is given to fresh produce and bulk items. Store managers assign prices to the number and when the cashier enters the number, the cash register rings up the item. It's especially important for supermarkets to choose cash registers that include price look up features as it makes checkout quicker and inventory control easier to manage.

I recommend: The International Federation for Produce Standards (IFPS) assigns PLU numbers to produce. You can learn more by downloading the PLU Code User's Guide.

Spill resistant keyboard

A spill resistant keyboard has a plastic covering that prevents spills from beverages or food getting into the electronics. It's necessary for restaurants and bars to purchase this type of cash register.

I recommend: See an example of a cash register that has a spill resistant keyboard at the Cash Register Store.

Integrated payment

Many people prefer to pay for transactions with credit cards and some cash registers have integrated credit card capabilities within the machine. This is called integrated payment.

I recommend: See a description of integrated payment at The Cash Register Guys.

Coin dispensers

Coin dispensers automatically count and dispense the coin portion of a customer's change. This is a convenience for your cashiers.

I recommend: See a sample of a coin dispenser at CRS.

Thermal printer

Many cash registers use a thermal printer to print receipts. Rather than using paper and ink, these types of printers use heat and a special type of heat-sensitive paper. This is often more cost efficient.

I recommend: Learn more about thermal printers from Point of Sale Supply.