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Hardware

The hardware a repair or electronics shop needs for SlickCell

SlickCell runs in the browser, so it works with standard shop hardware rather than a list of approved models. Here is what each piece must do, what to look for on a listing, and a few that meet it.

A barcode scanner works if it types the code like a keyboard and presses Enter. A receipt printer works if your computer can already print to it on 80 or 58 mm paper. A label printer works if its driver can be set to the label size SlickCell prints. Your card machine stays your own: take the payment on it and record it at the till. Any staff phone can scan as well, with nothing to install. Below are the kinds of hardware a shop needs and what to check before you buy.

Barcode scanner

A scanner works with SlickCell if it types the code like a keyboard and then presses Enter. Point it at the till's search box or the scan box and the item lands in the sale. A 1D scanner reads the Code 128 labels SlickCell prints; you need a 2D imager only for QR codes. A Bluetooth scanner works when it pairs with the computer or tablet as a keyboard.

What to look for on the listing

  • Keyboard (HID) mode, over a USB cable, a USB dongle or Bluetooth
  • An Enter (carriage return) after each scan; the manual shows how to switch it on if it is off
  • 1D for SlickCell's own labels; 2D if you also want to scan QR codes

On Amazon UK

How scanning works in SlickCell

A phone as a scanner

Any staff phone with a rear camera and a current browser, online. Pair it from the QR code on the till: no app and no login. It reads EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E, Code 128, Code 39, Code 93 and QR codes, and up to four phones can scan into the till at once.

Scan with a phone

Receipt printer

SlickCell makes each receipt, invoice or estimate a PDF sized to an 80 mm or 58 mm roll, and your browser prints it. So a receipt printer works if your computer can already print to it: an 80 or 58 mm thermal roll printer with a normal driver for Windows or macOS. Print at actual size, not fit to page, and allow pop-ups for SlickCell.

What to look for on the listing

  • 80 mm or 58 mm paper width
  • A driver for your computer: Windows, macOS, or both
  • USB, or Ethernet if it sits away from the till
  • A cash drawer port (RJ11 or RJ12), if you want a drawer that opens when a receipt prints

On Amazon UK

Printing in SlickCell

Label printer

SlickCell prints stock and device labels (a Code 128 barcode, the name, the price and the SKU) on 50 × 25 or 58 × 30 mm labels, and repair labels with a QR code on 50 × 30, 58 × 40, 62 × 40 or 76 × 50 mm labels or an 80 mm roll. A label printer works if its driver can be set to the exact size of the die-cut labels you load, and you print at actual size.

What to look for on the listing

  • Direct thermal, so there is no ribbon to buy
  • Die-cut labels in one of the sizes above
  • A driver where you set the label size; 203 dpi is enough, 300 dpi for very small barcodes

On Amazon UK

Cash drawer

SlickCell's counter records the opening float, cash in and out and the count at close; it sends no command to a drawer. A drawer that plugs into the receipt printer (RJ11 or RJ12) opens when the printer's own driver is set to open it on print. A key drawer needs nothing else.

What to look for on the listing

  • An RJ11 or RJ12 cable, rated for your receipt printer's drawer port (usually 24 V)
  • A key lock, for when you need it open without printing

On Amazon UK

The cash drawer in SlickCell

Card machine

Keep the card machine you already have, from whoever gives you the best rate. Take the payment on the terminal and record it at the till as a card payment, split with cash if needed. SlickCell takes no cut of your takings.

Your own card machine

A4 printer

Invoices, statements, payslips and count sheets are A4 PDFs, so any A4 printer your computer can print to works.

Computer or tablet

SlickCell is a web app with nothing to install: a computer, tablet or phone with a current browser and a steady connection. Scanning with a computer's own camera needs a Chromium browser such as Chrome or Edge; on an iPad, use a keyboard-mode scanner or a paired phone.

The picks are Amazon UK listings whose own description states what SlickCell needs, read on 25 September 2026. They are chosen from what each listing says, not from our own use, and we earn nothing if you buy one. Listings change, so check the line quoted against the listing before you order.

Questions

What shops ask about hardware

A computer, tablet or phone with a modern browser. Receipts, A4 invoices, repair tickets and shelf labels print from one template on a thermal or A4 printer, any staff phone can scan barcodes into the sale, and card payments go through the card machine you already have.

A drawer that connects to your receipt printer opens when the printer's own driver is set to open it on print; SlickCell keeps the float, the cash in and out and the count at close.

Yes, with the one you already have. Take the payment on your terminal and the till records it on the sale, split with cash if needed. SlickCell takes no cut of your card takings.

Yes. SlickCell is web-based and runs in any modern browser on a computer, tablet or phone, so there is nothing to install on the iPad. Sign in at the counter and the same shop, repair queue and till are there as on any other device.

Bring the scanner and printer you already have

We will show you the till, a receipt and a label on your own hardware settings.

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