Optional hardware components and manufacturers

Below is a list of optional hardware components and manufacturers supported by Maitre'D.

Magnetic Card Reader

• USB

• Keyboard wedge

• RS-232 (serial)

• OPOS

Customer Display

• AEDEX

• Epson ESC/POS compatible

• Mintronix

• Tekvision

• OPOS

Scale

• Toledo 8213, 8217

• Weigh-Tronix 6710

Cash Drawer

• RS-232 (serial) with or without status

• Through a parallel or serial printer

• OPOS

Kitchen Monitor

• KDS Kitchen Display System from PayFacto

• QSR ePIC (QSR Automation)

Barcode Scanner

• USB

• Keyboard wedge

• RS-232 (serial)

Fingerprint Recognition (biometric devices)

• Digital Persona U.are.U 2000, 2000b and 2400b

Cash Card Reader

• ITC System 1015 or 2015

Fiscal Printer

• Epson TMu200AF for Venezuela

• Québec Sales Recording Module (SRM) – Module d’Enregistrement des Ventes (MEV)

• Belgium Black Box

Surveillance Camera

• Kodicom I3DVR

• Generic XML interface

Bar Dispenser

• Azbar

• Berg

• Auper

• Scanabar

Remote Display

• Texas Digital Accuview

• Delphi Display Systems

EMV Credit/Debit Payment Devices

• See the documentation specific to your processor of choice for detailed lists of supported EMV Credit/Debit Payment Devices.

Evaluating Hardware

With modern computer hardware, the speed of the CPU (in Mhz or Ghz) and the core count alone are no longer enough to determine if a given system will perform adequately. There are many more factors to consider, such as the architecture of the CPU, its generation, the technology it is based on, its power consumption, the amount of RAM available, etc.

Benchmarks

The only way to reliably compare CPU’s is by looking at their respective benchmark results. Synthetic benchmark tests compound all CPU attributes into a single numeric score value. Quite simply put, the higher the score, the better the CPU is.

CPUBenchmark.net

PassMark Software’s CPU benchmark is a highly regarded database that contains all the information required to compare millions of different CPU models. The database can be consulted here:

Cpubenchmark.net Website

By searching this database and using the provided “Compare” tool, it is easy to determine if the hardware that you plan to buy (or already have) will meet or surpass the performance of the recommended hardware configuration.

Performance indicators

Here are a few performance indicators we can use to measure the performance:

CPU Benchmark Score

This is the score of the CPU posted on https://www.cpubenchmark.net/. Note that the posted scores are averages and may vary daily. Higher is better.

Minimum Keystroke Delay

This is the minimum time, in milliseconds, that the user needs to wait between keystrokes to avoid visible lag and missed keystrokes. Lower is better.

Methodology

This value is measured in a lab environment using a tool built into the POS software.

The input keystrokes and the POS' output are compared, and the delay is shortened until one of two things happen:

1. The POS starts "missing" keystrokes. (i.e. a key is pressed but the POS fails to register it), or;

2. There is visible lag, meaning there is a significant and clearly visible delay between the keystroke and the information appearing on the screen.

The delay between keystrokes is then increased gradually until the POS can reliably process all keystrokes without missing one and without creating significant lag, for a period of at least one full minute.

Maximum keys / second

This is the maximum theoretical number of keystrokes per second that a user can achieve without causing the POS to lag. Higher is better.

Methodology

This value is calculated from the minimum keystroke delay. For example, with a minimum keystroke delay of 100 milliseconds, we can have a theoretical maximum of 10 keystrokes per second.

Maximum keys / minute

This is the maximum theoretical number of keystrokes per minute that a user can achieve without causing the POS to lag. Higher is better.

Methodology

This figure is obtained by multiplying Max Keys / Second by 60. This figure is used to put the keystroke delay and keys per second values in perspective. Knowing that an average typist can do between 190 and 200 keystrokes per minute on a keyboard, while a "two-finger" typist does 150 to 160, this figure makes it easy to determine if the POS hardware will be able to keep up with the employees using it.

Hardware Requirements

To facilitate reading and interpretation of hardware requirements, they are broken down in 3 tiers:

Minimum

The minimum requirement is the bare minimum that will allow the Maitre'D Advanced POS User Interface to operate adequately, without any consideration for possible expansion or "future-proofing".

Recommended

The recommended hardware configuration should yield adequate performance in most situations and provide headroom for future expansion of the system.

Large Sites / High Volume

The hardware configuration for large sites should yield adequate performance in restaurants using 20 or more POS workstations. This requirement also applies to restaurants with high volume of orders, where the number of POS workstations may not be as high as 20, but where the POS Workstations are in near-constant use.

Hardware Requirements for the Maitre'D Back-Office PC, Auxiliary Back-Office and Backup Server

Hardware Requirements for the Legacy POS

Hardware Requirements for the Advanced POS User Interface (HTML POS)

Hardware Requirements for Android Tablets running the Maitre'D Mobile POS app (MPOS)

Hardware Requirements for Apple iPad Tablets running the Maitre'D Mobile POS app (MPOS)

Hardware Requirements for Windows 11

In some cases, Windows 11 may have more stringent hardware requirements than Maitre'D. If you wish to use your POS system with Windows 11, these requirements need to be accounted for:

Additional Information

List of compatible Intel Processors

List of compatible AMD Processors

Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Technology Overview

Sample hardware configurations

Multiple hardware configurations were tested in a controlled lab environment during the development of the HTML POS. These can be used as benchmarks to compare the hardware you already have or plan to buy.

System #1: Minimum

The first system tested is an All-in-One POS with the lowest hardware specification that was tested in our labs. It is also the oldest, with a manufacture date of late 2008. Still, even at this age, the hardware is slightly above the minimum requirements for the Maitre'D Legacy POS.

System #1 Conclusion

This system is not adequate for HTML POS, however it works just fine with the Maitre'D Legacy POS. If you have older hardware available which can be upgraded to Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, it can still be put to good use for a budget POS system using the Legacy POS software.

System #2: Tablet PC

This system is a Windows 10 Tablet PC, optimized for long battery life.

System #2 Conclusion

While HTML POS was usable on this system, it was a bit on the slow side. However, this is a very good wireless solution for the Legacy Maitre'D POS.

System #3: NUC form factor PC

This system is a Windows 10 NUC form factor PC with a very small footprint. The enclosure of this device measures only 5 in x 5 in, with a thickness if about 1.25 in.

System #3 Conclusion

While HTML POS was also usable on this system, the performance gain from the slightly better CPU was marginal and could not be measured. This is a very good solution for the Legacy Maitre'D POS if you need a low cost and space-efficient solution.

System #4: POS hardware

This system is an All-in-One Windows 10 POS workstation.

System #4 Conclusion

While HTML POS was also usable on this system, the performance gain from the slightly better CPU was marginal and could not be measured. This hardware is more than adequate for the Maitre'D Legacy POS, however.

System #5: High-End POS hardware

This system is a high-end, All-in-One Windows 10 POS workstation.

System #5 Conclusion

The Core i3 desktop CPU and 8Gb of RAM made all the difference with this system, doubling the HTML POS performance compared to previous systems tested. At 400 keystrokes per minute, this system now surpasses the capacity of even the most experienced typists.

System #6: Old Desktop PC

This system is a standard desktop PC manufactured in 2011, which was upgraded to Windows 10.

System #6 Conclusion

While a full-sized desktop computer does not necessarily make sense to use as a POS, this hardware was included here as a point of comparison, and to show that old hardware can still be used very efficiently. Also, similar hardware is available in Small Form Factor (SFF), which has a much smaller footprint.

System #7: High-End Desktop PC

This system is a high-end, Small Form Factor (SFF) desktop PC, running Windows 10 pro and manufactured in 2018.

System #7 Conclusion

A SFF PC such as this one has a relatively small footprint. Coupled with a touch screen, this could effectively run the entire Maitre'D Back-Office suite along with HTML POS as a local workstation without any noticeable drop in performance.

Operating System Requirements

Maitre'D is designed for the Microsoft Windows environment and will operate on both 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) editions of current Windows operating systems. This makes Maitre'D "hardware-agnostic", which means it will work on any hardware that can run Microsoft Windows, as long as it meets the minimum performance requirements.

The table below lists all currently supported operating systems with their projected End-of-Life date issued by Microsoft.

Desktop Operating Systems

Patch levels for Desktop Operating Systems

In addition to the general End-of-Life date issued for Desktop operating systems, Microsoft also issues End-of-Life dates for specific patch levels. This is done by Microsoft to ensure that users keep their operating systems up-to-date.

Server-oriented Operating Systems

• While a POS, Backup Server or Auxiliary Back-Office would work perfectly on a server-oriented operating system, PayFacto does not recommend doing so, unless your operations specifically requires this.

Embedded and "Internet of Things" (IoT) Operating Systems

Enterprise Operating Systems

* Microsoft lists this date as the end of "Mainstream support" for this Windows version. Mainstream support is typically followed by an extended support period, however it is not listed on the Microsoft Lifecycle site at this time.

Windows 11

Microsoft Windows 11 is the latest release of the Windows family of operating systems. It was released on October 5th, 2021. A full test suite has been run on PayFacto's POS products to ensure compatibility.

Windows 11 vs. Microsoft lifecycle

At this time, Microsoft has not issued official end-of-life (EOL) dates for the Windows 11 family of products. The only EOL dates available so far are for patch levels. These dates will be updated when Microsoft releases new feature updates for Windows 11.

Software Requirements

Software requirements are applications, drivers or libraries which may not be included with the operating system by default.

Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 or later

Microsoft .NET framework 3.5 is included with the Maitre'D installation program. It will be installed automatically if the Install Shield Wizard does not detect it on your system.

Microsoft Windows Installer 4.5 or later

Windows 10 already has a more recent version of Windows Installer, but version 4.5 is still supplied with the Maitre'D installation program in case there is a need to install Maitre'D on an earlier operating system which could have an earlier version of Windows Installer.

Java for Windows (formerly Java Runtime Environment (JRE))

While it is optional for Maitre'D itself, Java for Windows is required with some Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) payment solutions like SecureTable and SecurePay. This is also often required by third-party vendors for specific applications. This component needs to be downloaded and installed manually from the Java website.

It can be downloaded and installed from here: https://www.java.com/en/

Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 or later

For operating systems prior to Windows 10, this would be supplied through Windows Updates. Since Windows 10, Internet Explorer is bundled with the operating system. It does not need to be the default browser.

All available Windows Updates for your operating system

Your operating system needs to be kept up-to-date with all the latest updates. This will ensure that all critical and security-related updates are installed and will help maintain PCI-DSS compliance.

Anti-Virus / Anti-Malware

Install a reputable anti-virus and anti-malware solution on the PC. The Anti-Virus / Anti-Malware solution needs to be fully operational at all times and maintained with the latest updates and virus definitions. PayFacto does not recommend any brand in particular. However, while Microsoft's Windows Defender solution is free, bundled with Windows and works in most cases, we do recommend using a reputable, independently branded and well reviewed product.

This is a critical component of the Maitre’D system’s security and a requirement for PCI-DSS compliance.

Firewall

In addition to the perimeter firewall which protects your network, a software firewall needs to be installed on the main Back-Office PC as well as all POS workstations. The Windows Defender Firewall is adequate for most installations.

This is a critical component of the Maitre’D system’s security and a requirement for PCI-DSS compliance.

End-of-Life products

Once a Microsoft operating system (OS) reaches the end of support, customers will no longer receive security updates. The OS may still work with programs and hardware after the sale or support of the operating system has been discontinued. However, the possibility increases that new programs and hardware will not be performant on an older OS. This frequently occurs because the manufacturers of new hardware and software make product-design decisions that take advantage of the increased functionality and features in newer operating systems. These manufacturers may decide to discontinue support of their products on older operating systems as appropriate.

For Maitre'D, this means that the POS system will continue to work after the end of support. However, as updates and features are added to Maitre'D after EOL, the possibility increases that new Maitre'D releases become incompatible with older operating systems. Furthermore, deprecated operating systems represent a liability which may compromise the entire POS system's security.

For more information, please see:

Microsoft Windows Lifecycle FAQ

End-of-Life products vs. PCI-DSS

Any system using an unsupported or deprecated operating system automatically falls out of PCI-DSS compliance due to the inability of such systems to meet PCI-DSS Requirement 6.2.

PCI-DSS Requirement 6.2 states:

Unsupported products

Some operating systems are not supported by PayFacto even though they are still supported by Microsoft. These can be divided in two categories:

Failed products

Some operating systems never received wide market adoption, such that PayFacto never deemed necessary or profitable to perform any kind of testing on these products. While these operating systems may work with Maitre'D, PayFacto cannot provide any form of guarantee to that effect, as they were never tested. Such products include Microsoft Windows Vista (which is now also EOL) and Microsoft Windows 8 / 8.1.

Consumer products

Microsoft publishes a wide array of Windows editions targeted for home users, educational versions for schools and other specialized versions for niche users. These versions of windows are not supported due to the lack of certain key features, or because of the Microsoft End-User License Agreement (EULA), which may not cover commercial or industrial use cases.

Full list of Unsupported and End-of-Life Operating Systems