Groupon Unveils POS Hardware

Groupon announced Gnome, a new tablet-based platform that will provide tools to local merchants to more effectively understand their customers. The tablet will let merchants instantly recognize their Groupon customers as they enter their business and seamlessly redeem Groupons with a simple point of-sale system and credit card payment processing service, says the company.

Gnome also will soon integrate with popular accounting software programs such as QuickBooks and Xero and offer a suite of customer relationship management tools, including the ability to customize marketing campaigns based on purchase history, share customer feedback via social media and respond to customer inquiries or comments.

“Gnome is an amazing piece of technology that plugs our merchants into the Web and helps them form relationships with every customer that walks in their front door,” said Eric Lefkofsky, CEO. “When it’s complete, Gnome will serve as an operating system for merchants to run their entire operation and enable them to create real-time promotions that bring customers into their business when they need them the most.”

“Gnome is an important step towards our long-term mission of creating a world where merchants are constantly connected to the Groupon local commerce platform,” Lefkofsky added.

Highlights of Gnome will include Bluetooth Groupon Redemption; All-in-one Cash Register; Customer Relationship Management, Accounting Software Integration, Customizable Point of Sale. Additionally, Gnome will come with 24/7 live support and a payments service with competitive rates on credit card processing fees. Groupon says it will continue to evolve and expand Gnome’s capabilities to enable merchants to connect even further with its vast mobile and online user base and suite of merchant solutions.

Gnome is already in market, and will roll out to tens of thousands of merchants in the coming month, says the company.