The short answer
Integrated payments pass the amount from the till to the terminal and return payment information to the till. Compatibility depends on the payment product, EPOS supplier, software version and supported workflows. Ask both suppliers to confirm those details and how support will work before signing.
In this guide
Standalone and integrated payments
With a standalone setup, staff usually enter the payment amount separately on the terminal and reconcile the till against the payment report. An integrated setup can transfer the amount and result between systems, reducing the need for duplicate entry.
takepayments describes this exchange through its cloud-based integration service, while specifying that it is available only for certain products and selected partners. Treat compatibility as something to verify for your exact system, rather than a feature automatically included with every terminal.
Describe a whole sale, not just a connection
Give the suppliers practical scenarios. A restaurant might need a table bill split across two cards, a tip and a printed receipt. A shop might need a partial return after an online purchase. A garage might need to connect a deposit with the final invoice.
Ask which scenarios are supported, which require manual steps and whether extra software or hardware is involved. A card-payment connection does not automatically include table management, stock synchronisation, booking integration or every refund flow.
Ask who owns the difficult cases
Agree who investigates if the till and terminal disagree about a result, how staff check the authoritative payment record and what they should do before retrying. Obtain the suppliers' approved troubleshooting process so the team does not improvise during a queue.
Record support hours, contact routes and responsibility for updates. If one supplier says the issue is with the other, you need an escalation route that can coordinate the investigation. Avoid relying on an unverified assurance that two systems will never lose connection.
Compare the complete cost of integration
List the payment fees alongside EPOS software, connector fees, hardware changes, installation and training. Ask whether a licence is per till, outlet or organisation. Confirm what remains payable if you later change the acquiring service.
A lower processing quote can be outweighed by software migration or duplicated subscriptions. Use the quote calculator to compare the full cost of recurring charges, then the switching payback calculator for agreed transition costs. These comparisons do not replace the full contract or a functional demonstration.
Make a handover checklist
Ask for confirmation of the exact system and version before agreeing a launch date. Plan the provider-approved checks for a normal payment, a declined or interrupted flow, refund permissions, receipts and reconciliation. Confirm that staff understand the permitted fallback.
Keep access to existing reports and the old service until the agreed transition is complete. Historic transaction records, refunds and disputes can still require attention after a new setup goes live.
What to include in your enquiry
State your EPOS supplier, version if known, number of payment points, business type and the workflows you need to preserve. Explain whether you are opening a new site, changing the till or reviewing payment costs.
Awais can check the solutions available through his role and seek confirmation of compatibility. A named provider or device on this website is not a promise that it integrates with your current till.
Your comparison checklist
| Ask both suppliers | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Which exact products and versions are supported? | A brand-level answer may hide incompatibility |
| Which sale and refund flows are included? | A basic connection may not cover everyday operations |
| How does a failed or interrupted payment recover? | Staff need an approved process before retrying |
| Who supports the connection? | Make escalation responsibility explicit |
| What costs and contracts continue if I switch? | Processing, software and hardware can be separate commitments |
Common questions
Will any card machine work with my existing EPOS?
No. Confirm the exact products, versions and supported integration with both suppliers.
Does integration remove every reconciliation task?
No. It can reduce duplicate entry, but staff still need to review payments, exceptions, refunds and settlement.
Can I change payments without replacing my till?
Possibly. It depends on the integration and commercial agreements. Establish that before committing to a switch.
Sources and method
Public sources checked on 7 September 2026. Offers can change; your individual proposal and signed terms determine what applies.
takepayments: integrated payments and compatibility conditions Dojo: payment packages, devices and servicesWorked examples are illustrative mathematics, not provider quotes or promised savings. Read our editorial approach.
Apply this to your business
Share your till or EPOS name and the workflows you need. Awais will seek confirmation for the exact setup; you can say “Not sure”.