What are handheld terminals?

Handheld terminals are small mobile devices that waiters use to take orders and payments directly from guests – without walking back and forth to a fixed till. A handheld terminal often works as a mini version of your POS system and sends information about orders and payments straight to the kitchen and the accounts in real time.

In a restaurant or café this means a waiter can take an order at the table, send it straight to the kitchen and, once the guests have eaten, complete the payment immediately – all from the same device. Handheld terminals can also act as both ordering device and payment terminal, taking card payments right at the table, making the process lightning fast and smoother.

A practical example:

Imagine a busy Saturday night at your café. Your waiter takes an order from table 5 and quickly enters it on the handheld terminal, which automatically sends it to the bar and the kitchen. Just a few minutes later the drinks are ready and the food is being prepared. At payment, the guest doesn't need to get up or wait long – payment is handled immediately on the handheld terminal.

Why is it important to know about handheld terminals?

If you run a restaurant or café today, handheld terminals can significantly improve both workflow and guest experience. They ensure fast, accurate communication between staff and kitchen and reduce the risk of order mistakes. They also cut the time staff spend moving between table and till, leaving more time for customer service. The combination of mobility, fast service and quicker table turnover can make a decisive difference to both customer satisfaction and revenue.

How are handheld terminals used in Flexybox?

Flexybox supports handheld terminals, which means your staff can take orders and process payments right at the table. This increases efficiency and gives guests a better experience. With Flexybox's POS solution, the handheld terminal can be connected directly to your POS system, so everything from order entry to payment becomes a smooth, integrated process.

Frequently asked questions

Handheld terminals are typically designed specifically for hospitality and are integrated with the POS system. They are often more robust and have a built-in payment function, which ordinary tablets don't necessarily offer.

Yes, most modern handheld terminals have a built-in payment terminal or support connecting one, so you can accept card and mobile payments right at the table.

Flexybox supports several different models, but we recommend using devices tested and validated by Flexybox to ensure full functionality and stable operation.

Yes, as long as you use approved devices and follow the applicable data security rules, they are just as secure as a fixed card terminal.