POS Systems Chain Hardware to Aging Software
A point-of-sale terminal integrates robust physical components with specialized software. While the screen, printer, and reader are built to last, the software that controls them must continuously adapt to new regulations and payment methods. This uneven pace creates an inevitable mismatch between the lifespan of each part. 🔄
Software Support Expires and Forces Renewal
The creators of POS software stop maintaining old versions after a while. This means they no longer release security patches or adapt the system to current banking protocols. When a business can no longer process payments securely or comply with the law, it has no choice but to replace the entire system. The hardware, which could still be operational, is discarded because the software it needs to function is no longer updated. 🛑
Consequences of support ending:- The business loses the ability to operate securely and comply with regulations.
- Physical equipment in perfect condition becomes unusable.
- An urgent and unforeseen need arises to invest in a new system.
You end up paying for a new system not because the old one breaks, but because its maker stopped wanting to talk to it.
Software Updates Depend Entirely on the Manufacturer
The business owner cannot simply install new software on the old terminal. The software for these devices is usually a closed system, linked exclusively to the original provider. If the manufacturer decides not to release an update for that specific model, the only real solution is to buy a complete new unit. This turns a software problem into a mandatory hardware expense. 💸
This cycle generates several impacts:- It turns a software update into a forced physical equipment replacement.
- It increases the amount of electronic waste.
- It imposes an unplanned economic cost on the business.
Obsolescence Lies in Support, Not in the Parts
Thus, obsolescence is not programmed into the circuits or screens, which can last for years, but in the manufacturer's decision to stop providing support for the software. This model creates absolute dependence and artificial renewal cycles, where perfectly functional hardware remains chained to aging software. The solution requires rethinking how these critical business systems are designed and maintained. ⛓️