---
title: "Terminals"
description: "Get started with in-person payments"
url: "https://docs.adyen.com/platforms/quickstart-guide/terminals"
source_url: "https://docs.adyen.com/platforms/quickstart-guide/terminals.md"
canonical: "https://docs.adyen.com/platforms/quickstart-guide/terminals"
last_modified: "2026-06-01T15:33:15+02:00"
language: "en"
---

# Terminals

Get started with in-person payments

[View source](/platforms/quickstart-guide/terminals.md)

In-person payment experiences can be offered through hardware-based or software-based solutions.

Hardware solutions: Physical terminals are generally more challenging to get started with for Platforms that are new to in-person payments. Hardware requires an upfront investment and logistics capabilities, such as warehouse management and return processes, to get terminals to your users.

Software solutions: Software solutions provide an easier starting point for Platforms that are new to in-person payments. These solutions require a mobile Android or iOS device. Since your users often already own such a device, there is less need for complex logistical operations and upfront investments are lower.

**Recommendation**\
Consider getting started with a software solution and move into hardware as your users mature and only if it meets specific customer needs.

* [Tap to Pay](https://www.adyen.com/knowledge-hub/tap-to-pay) leverages our Mobile SDK that turns a phone or tablet into a payment terminal for a real in-person payments experience. Tap to Pay can be used together with the physical card reader [NYC1](/point-of-sale/user-manuals/nyc1) with or without the [NYC1 dock](/point-of-sale/user-manuals/nyc1-with-dock). Users who do not want to integrate with the SDK can use the [Payments App](/point-of-sale/mobile-android/build/payments-app) for Android.
* Platforms often start experimenting with in-person payments through [Pay-by-Link](https://www.adyen.com/pay-by-link). This enables users to share a payments link with shoppers that replicates an in-person payments experience with minimum effort.

## User journeys

The right terminal solution largely depends on how the terminal fits into the overall journey of your users and their shoppers.

Use-cases are divided in three main categories:

* Tabletop
* Mobile
* Unattended

A tabletop with basic features may suffice for a static user scenario, for example a gift shop. Situations in which the user is constantly moving, for example at a restaurant, require a mobile solution. Unattended terminals are suitable for autonomous stores without staff or checkout. Other factors to consider are durability, price-point, and battery life.

**Recommendation**\
Pick a device that fits naturally in your user’s environment to maximize adoption. Make sure the device is top of mind for a user to ensure it’s well maintained, especially in terms of [battery life](/point-of-sale/managing-terminals/battery-management/).

See [here](/point-of-sale/what-we-support/select-your-terminals/) for a full overview of terminal solutions.

## Integration Architecture

The type of integration determines how your terminals communicate with Adyen. Architectures can either be based on a cloud integration or a local integration. You should consider aspects like usability, compatibility, ease of integration, and security. For example, a cloud integration is easier to implement but may not support all use cases. A local integration on the other hand can be more robust but requires an additional effort to ensure the local network communication between the POS system and the terminal is safe.

**Recommendation**\
A cloud integration works for most platforms and is the quickest to market. Common reasons for Platforms to opt for a local integration include hard requirements for [offline transactions](/point-of-sale/offline-payment/).

Run a quick test on what architecture meets your needs [here](/point-of-sale/design-your-integration/choose-your-architecture/).

## Logistics

If you opt for a hardware solution, logistics will be a critical element of your offering. Adyen offers two ways to get a payment terminal into your users’ hands. We can drop ship the terminals to the user or ship them in bulk to your warehouse. Each has its own costs and benefits to take into consideration.

Setting up your own warehouse requires significant investment:

* A dedicated supply chain manager to manage third-party logistics (3PL) relations.
* Storage costs, inbound costs, pick and pack fees, transport costs, and return fees.
* Software integrations for inventory management and order placement.
* Upfront goods investment and inventory risk.

**Recommendation**\
Use drop shipping if you do not have existing warehouse operations and want to quickly launch in-Person payments.

Leverage your own warehouses if you ship multiple hardware components. Having these items arrive at the same time and in the same package makes for a better user experience.

### Drop shipping directly to users

Adyen can ship terminals and accessories directly to your user. Drop shipping prevents you from investing in building your own warehouse operations. It is particularly suited for businesses that are new to shipping hardware and want to get started quickly as well as to those that have no other hardware to ship.

**Recommendation**

* Enquire about the lead times for each specific region. Adyen ships terminals using regular carrier services. Lead times depend on the location of your user.
* Provide your Adyen Account Manager with a forecast of device quantities to ensure availability. Ensure this forecast is updated periodically.

**Processes to set up:**

* **Order placement**: Place orders in your [Customer Area](/point-of-sale/managing-terminals/order-terminals/) or automate the order process with the [Management API](/point-of-sale/automating-terminal-management/order-terminals-api/).
* **Private-labeling**: To prevent your users from receiving emails from Adyen, disable terminal order emails in your merchant account settings. The courier can still contact the recipient for delivery notifications.
* **Shipment monitoring**: Monitor shipment failures and update shipping details with the carrier. Carriers attempt delivery multiple times within a month. If delivery fails after 10 days, contact your user to confirm their address or schedule delivery. For incorrect addresses, place a new order and let the original return to the warehouse for automatic refund.
* **Finance**: Each drop-shipped order generates a distinct order number with a separate invoice. Download invoice reports for month-end reconciliation.

### Shipping in bulk to your warehouse

Adyen can ship terminals and accessories to your warehouse. This allows you to ship out Adyen hardware together with other hardware. In some cases, Adyen is able to customize the packaging for you. We can add leaflets or QR codes to the box that direct the user to your environment. Contact your Account Manager for more details.

**Recommendation**

* Ensure you maintain a healthy safety stock. With low inventory levels you may risk out-of-stock situations in case of supply chain disruptions.

* Ensure terminals do not stay in your warehouse for longer than six months. Terminals that are kept in a warehouse for longer than six months may run low on battery and have an outdated firmware version installed. This can create difficulties for your user during the setup process. Terminals that run out of the coin cell battery (reserve battery) may have a key degradation issue. If terminals are not in use for more than six months, set up a process to charge the batteries.

* Provide your Adyen Account Manager with a 12-month rolling monthly forecast of device quantities to ensure availability.

### Custom packaging

For both drop shipping and bulk shipment, Adyen offers custom packaging services (hardware kits). This service is available if you ship 1000 or more terminals per year. Hardware kits combine terminals, accessories, and setup instructions in branded packaging. They help you:

* Provide an end-to-end brand experience for your users.
* Promote self-service activation to reduce support costs.
* Streamline or eliminate warehouse operations.

There are four types of custom packaging:

* **Kitting & Labeling**: Repack items in a single box with custom labels to streamline your warehouse operations.
* **Activation**: Include a platform-designed pamphlet with setup instructions and a QR code to promote self-service activation.
* **Branding & Activation**: Include a platform-designed sleeve around the terminal box for branding and activation.
* **Custom**: A fully customized unboxing experience (requires higher volume commitments).

**Processes to set up:**

* File a request at least three months before your expected go-live date. Adyen manages the stock levels of the collaterals.
* Add a cost contract entry for custom packaging and relevant collaterals.
* Combine custom packaging with drop shipping to eliminate warehousing costs and reduce activation support costs. Use the Management API to automate orders for custom-packed terminals.

For details on kit types and how to order, see [Hardware kits](/point-of-sale/managing-terminals/order-terminals/#hardware-kits). You can also [order hardware kits using the Management API](/point-of-sale/automating-terminal-management/order-terminals-api/#order-hardware-kits).

## Terminal onboarding

Onboarding the terminal can be a source of friction and therefore impact the extent to which users fully adopt the solution. If the setup process is too difficult, users may drop off before they have fully adopted terminal payments.

There are various technical considerations that affect the effort required from the user as well as the level of user support. In general, the more you automate the lower the friction to the user.

**Recommendation**

* Start with supporting the setup process operationally but focus on automating this process early on. Early adopters of your solution may call in for setup support. However, automating this process through a ‘Terminal Manager’ in your customer environment is a more scalable solution with a better user experience. This allows you to launch quickly and iteratively optimize the user experience and your operational costs.
* Determine benchmarks for terminal adoption to measure performance. If you define when you consider a terminal as ‘adopted’ will help you monitor performance and identify areas for improvement.

## Managing your terminal fleet

Adyen’s Customer Area allows you to control and monitor your terminal fleet. Its allows you to:

* Order or return terminals
* Assign terminals to a store.
* Do a security inspection.
* Board the terminal to accept payments in a user’s store.
* Customize your terminals and receipts.
* Learn how to manage battery power.
* Monitor performance.
* Use the menus on the terminal.

**Recommendation**\
Ensure that your support team is well versed in using the full extent of the [Terminal Fleet Management](/point-of-sale/managing-terminals/). This will enable your teams to help users much faster than when they rely on Adyen support to respond to any technical or logistical issues.

### Terminal Replacement Service

Adyen’s [Terminal Replacement Service](https://help.adyen.com/en_US/knowledge/in-person-payments/manage-your-terminals/how-does-the-terminal-replacement-service-work) ensures that your fleet is covered against terminals breaking down. Instead of having to buy a replacement terminal, for a monthly fee Terminal Replacement Service (TRS) allows you to immediately replace a broken terminal with a refurbished device. This minimizes downtime for your users, prevents them from looking for alternatives in the meantime, and eliminates the one-time, upfront cost for these replacements.

Replacements like this are requested through the regular [order and return process](/point-of-sale/managing-terminals/order-terminals/).

Note that TRS is applied to the entire terminal fleet. Its scope cannot be applied to specific terminals.

**Choose Terminal Replacement Service if:**

* You prefer to spread out the risk of terminals breaking and do not need additional budget to purchase new terminals.
* You want Adyen to drop ship replacements directly to your user, so you do not need to run your own replacement program.
* You want advance replacements — receive the replacement terminal first, then ship back the broken device.

**Skip Terminal Replacement Service if:**

* You can budget for a portion of your terminal fleet breaking.
* You can run a replacement program from your own warehouses.
* You are comfortable with the limited coverage set out by warranty (4 or 12 months depending on the terminal, and the terminal is returned before the replacement arrives).

**Processes to set up:**

* **Triage**: Set up a support process to identify whether the problem is with the terminal or elsewhere.
* **Order placement**: If drop shipping replacements, your support team needs Customer Area access to place replacement orders.
* **B stock**: If managing replacements from your own warehouses, set up a process to handle inbound and outbound replacement terminals.

### Order management

You can download a bulk CSV of your orders from the Customer Area.

### Invoice reconciliation

To reconcile a terminal sales order to an invoice, link the **Order Number** from the **Invoice Report** to the CSV download. This allows you to match a delivered order to an invoice, down to the store or terminal level.

**Adyen to platform**: We recommend deducting terminal costs from your settlement. Once per month, Adyen adds up all terminal costs and deducts them from your payout. This simplifies tracking and removes the need for manual bank transfers.

**Platform to your users**: How you invoice your users depends on your business model:

* **Sell-through**: Add the terminal price to your existing invoicing or invoice separately.
* **Lease**: Deduct costs through monthly invoicing.
* **Gift**: Absorb the cost if your profit comes solely from processing.

**In terms of services:**

* **Drop shipping**: Handle the same as terminal sales — deduct from settlement for the platform, and either include in the sales price for your users or absorb the cost.
* **Terminal Replacement Service**: Typically absorbed by the platform and not passed on to your users. You can roll it into the fee you charge for payment services.

### Additional resources

* [How to set up and manage your terminal devices](https://help.adyen.com/en_US/knowledge/in-person-payments)?
