I already have hardware

Switching from another till, or taking over a shop with kit already in place? A lot of it carries over. This page covers what to keep, what to send us before you replace anything, and what won’t make the move.

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Computer

If your computer meets every line on the Choose your computer checklist, keep it. If it doesn’t, you don’t have to replace it tomorrow. But if it’s already feeling slow on a busy day, that’s the sign it’s nearing the end of its useful life. Plan around that rather than fight it.

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Receipt printers

The simplest way to find out is to install Connect on your till computer and plug the printer in. Most Star and Epson thermal printers use the same standard protocols as the tested models, so they’re recognised the moment they’re connected. If yours isn’t picked up, send a photo of the model-number sticker to hello@digitalflorists.com and we’ll help during setup.

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Cash drawers

If your cash drawer wires into the back of your receipt printer with an RJ11 or RJ12 cable, it carries over. That covers almost every drawer.

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Label printers

Tested models are listed on Connect label printers. For anything else, install Connect on the till computer and add the printer through the operating system first; Connect picks it up from your computer’s printer list. If it doesn’t show up after setup, send a photo of the model-number sticker to hello@digitalflorists.com.

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Barcode scanners

Any wired USB scanner that presents itself to the computer as a keyboard works. Tested models are listed on Connect scanners. If yours is Bluetooth-only, plan to replace it.

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Phones for drivers

Any iPhone or Android handset from the last few years runs the Companion App. If your drivers already have working smartphones, keep them.

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Touchscreen monitors

A USB capacitive multi-touch monitor from your old till plugs into a Windows PC and works. On a Mac there’s a driver caveat covered on Touchscreens. Either way, the monitor itself carries over.

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Internet and Wi-Fi

Your existing broadband and Wi-Fi carry over by default. The thing worth checking is whether the speed and coverage match the way you’ll use Digital Florists. See Broadband and Wi-Fi.

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What won’t carry over

• Bluetooth-only printers — Connect talks to printers over USB or network. Bluetooth-only models won’t work.
• Inkjet, laser, and consumer photo printers (HP DeskJet/OfficeJet, Canon PIXMA, Epson WorkForce, Brother HL/MFC) — Connect is built for thermal receipt and label printers.
• Chromebooks — Connect doesn’t run on ChromeOS. Use a Mac or Windows PC.
• 32-bit Windows — Connect needs 64-bit Windows. Any machine sold in the last five years is 64-bit by default.
• Intel Macs — Connect is Apple Silicon only (M1 or newer). Intel Macs sold before late 2020 won’t run it.

Two extras worth flagging from the migration angle:

• Receipt or label printers locked to your old vendor’s cloud. If the printer only works when their app is running and can’t be added to your computer as a normal printer, Connect can’t drive it. Replace with a tested model.
• All-in-one POS terminals. The PC, printer, and drawer are tied together by vendor drivers we don’t use. A regular PC with tested peripherals is the cleaner replacement.

For iPad as a till, see the hardware hub.

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What to send us

Before you buy anything to fill a gap, send us a quick list of what you’ve already got. Photos of the model-number stickers are perfect. Email hello@digitalflorists.com with:

• Receipt printer brand and connection type (USB, Ethernet, Serial)
• Cash drawer cable type (RJ11/RJ12 into the printer, or something else)
• Label printer brand
• Barcode scanner, or just confirm it’s wired USB
• The computer’s age and rough spec, or a photo of the “About this Mac” or “System” screen

For the computer we can confirm from the spec. For the printers and drawer, we’ll give you a steer on what usually carries over; the final confirmation happens once Connect is installed and the kit is plugged in.

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Common questions

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What’s next?