It’s called “retail-hardening” and IBM sacrifices their systems in the lab to make sure yours can survive the real world. Before they call a product retail-hardened it must endure and pass a series of grueling tests, including:
Electrostatic discharge testing is to demonstrate the ability to withstand static shock, no matter how dry the air or shaggy the carpeting. Tolerance up to 15,000 volts, nearly double the standard for the PC industry.
Thermal dynamics testing, which verifies reliable operation in different climates and temperatures ranging from -40°C (-40°F) to 60°C (140°F).
Spills and drips testing is to verify the ability of seals, gutters and containment systems to protect sensitive electronics from high volume liquid spills such as water and carbonated beverages.
Magnetic susceptibility testing is to ensure that operation will not be disrupted by proximity to the powerful magnetic fields used to activate and deactivate inventory control tags.
Operational vibration testing is to ensure that the components are robust enough to survive near-constant physical interaction for extended periods.
Drop fragility testing in which components must power on after being dropped repeatedly on all six sides from common carry heights ranging from 30 to 36 inches.
Chemical resistance testing is to insure that cleaners, solvents and other harsh substances often found in retail settings cannot penetrate the specially designed seals on IBM touch screen displays.
Lightning strike simulations in which systems must withstand power surges of up to 2,000 volts—the equivalent of a lightning strike just outside the store.
Radio frequency interference testing to ensure that systems can operate reliably near product taggers, scanners, pagers, cell phones and other devices that saturate the retail environment with radio waves.
Can your retail systems meet these standards? Are they retail-hardened to deliver reliability from day one? Request a quote today to see how IBM retail solutions can deliver stronger performance and greater value for your business. To learn how an IBM POS can transform your front end operations, please contact STCR Business Systems, Inc at (607) 757-0181. STCR has been selling, installing and supporting IBM Cash Register Systems for more than 30 years and we have been in business for 43 years. We are an IBM Premier Business Partner with the in-house expertise to install and support IBM Products and train your personnel in the most professional manner.