First Essential
EPOS, payments and AI by industry in the UK
Business solutions by industry, with EPOS, payments, kiosks and AI set up to suit how your trade really runs. One UK based team looks after the lot, and there are real people to call when you need a hand.
What does an industry EPOS and payments setup actually include?
An EPOS system (short for Electronic Point of Sale, sometimes just called a till system) is the software and hardware you use to ring up sales, take payments and keep an eye on stock and staff. A card machine, also called a card reader or card terminal, is the device that takes contactless, chip and pin, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Where most providers sell you one of those, we set up the whole thing for your trade: EPOS plus card payments, plus self-service kiosks, a kitchen display where you need it, AI to handle calls and admin, your website and app, and First Essential One to tie the customer side together. One UK team builds it, connects it and looks after it.
Business solutions by industry: EPOS, card payments and AI for every UK sector
From the front counter to the back office, we set up EPOS, payments, kiosks and AI to suit your trade, with one UK team behind the lot. Find your sector below and see how it fits together.
Hospitality
Hotels, restaurants and bars with contactless payments, kiosks and booking.
See how we helpRetail and supermarkets
EPOS, stock control and loyalty that keep the queue moving.
See how we helpHealthcare and wellness
Scheduling, patient intake and secure patient portals.
See how we helpCharities and non-profits
Donation kiosks and online giving that make supporting you simple.
See how we helpEducation and e-learning
Student management and analytics in one connected place.
See how we helpEvents and exhibitions
Ticketing and vendor POS built for busy show floors.
See how we helpLeisure and holiday parks
Ticketing, access control and on-site POS across the park.
See how we helpReal estate
Listings, tenant management and CRM that keep deals moving.
See how we helpPick what you sell, and we build the right EPOS and payments mix
Every trade leans on a slightly different set of kit. Here is the mix we most often set up, sector by sector. None of it is fixed, it is a starting point we tailor to you.
Food and drink
EPOS, card machines, self-service kiosks, kitchen display and online ordering, all talking to each other.
Hospitality setupShops and supermarkets
EPOS with stock control, card payments, loyalty and a website or app that sells alongside the till.
Retail setupAppointments and care
Booking, secure intake, card payments and an AI receptionist to answer calls and fill the diary.
Healthcare setup
EPOS and card machines built for busy counters
Whether you run a hotel, a restaurant or a busy shop floor, we set up EPOS, card payments and kiosks that keep service quick and queues short, all reporting into one place. You can get a card machine included when you take payments with us.
Secure payments and AI for UK healthcare and clinics
From clinics to wellness studios, we bring scheduling, patient intake and secure patient portals together. Card payments and AI tools handle the day to day admin, so your team can stay focused on care.
Ticketing, access control and point of sale for venues
Holiday parks, exhibitions and busy show floors all run smoother with the right kit. We set up ticketing, access control and on-site EPOS that work together across the whole site, with card payments and AI to match how your venue trades.
Secure card payments and clear reporting you can trust
Financial services, government and professional teams need payments and data they can rely on. We bring secure card payments, clear reporting and trusted cloud together, set up for your sector and looked after by one UK based team.
One partner, the whole stack, every UK industry
Most providers do one slice. We bring the whole front and back of house together for your trade, so there is one bill, one login and one team to call.
Card machines and payments
Countertop, portable and mobile card readers, Tap to Pay and Pay by Link, with settlement terms confirmed up front.
Card payment solutionsEPOS and till systems
Cloud EPOS with stock, staff and reporting, built for retail, hospitality and appointments.
Point of saleSelf-service kiosks
Self-order and self-checkout kiosks that cut queues and lift average order value.
Self-service kiosksAI for your front desk
An AI receptionist that answers calls, books jobs and captures leads around the clock.
AI solutionsWebsites and apps
Websites and web apps that sell, connected to your till, payments and AI.
Web and app developmentFirst Essential One
The all-in-one platform for your CRM, marketing, booking and reviews, with a 14-day free trial.
First Essential OneWhat you get with us, and what some providers leave out
A lot of EPOS and card machine deals look cheap until the small print lands. Here is how we work, set against the things businesses tell us catch them out elsewhere. We talk in plain terms and confirm your exact pricing before you commit.
| What matters | First Essential UK | Some other providers |
|---|---|---|
| Card machine | Card machine included when you take payments with EPOS | Often a monthly hardware rental on top of fees |
| Card processing rates | Structured around your business, rates vary by card type and business, confirmed at setup | Headline rate, with higher rates for some cards buried in the terms |
| Contract and lock-in | No long minimum term to tie you in | Multi-year contracts with early-exit charges are common |
| What you get | EPOS, card payments, kiosks, AI and web from one partner | Usually one product, then separate suppliers for the rest |
| Support | UK based real people, Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 18:00 | Offshore queues or email-only tickets |
| Settlement | Next working day on your card sales | Several working days is still common |
| Switching | We handle the setup with you when you move across | Often left to sort out yourself |
The right column describes patterns businesses report across the wider market, not any named provider. Processing rates structured around what you take vary by card type and business profile, and your exact pricing is confirmed during setup.
What could a missed call be costing you?
If calls go unanswered during a rush, that is real work walking out the door. Pop in a few rough numbers and see a rough monthly figure. An AI receptionist can pick up the calls you miss and book them in, day or night.
A rough guide only, based on the numbers you enter. Your real figures will differ.
Specialist EPOS and payment setups, ready to go
Whatever you do, we have the EPOS, card payments, hardware and AI to match how you work.
Logistics and supply chain
Inventory and route optimisation that keep things on the move.
See how we helpFinancial services
Secure payments and clear reporting you can rely on.
See how we helpCommunity and culture
Digital signage and memberships that bring people together.
See how we helpGovernment and public sector
Citizen engagement and secure cloud, built to be trusted.
See how we helpManufacturing
Automation and predictive analytics for the production floor.
See how we helpAsset tracking and logistics
RFID and barcode tracking that keep every item in view.
See how we helpYour sector, your setup
No two businesses are the same, so we never start from a template. We learn how you work, then put together the right mix of EPOS, card payments, kiosks and AI to fit.
Frequently asked questions
What industries do you provide EPOS, card payments and AI for in the UK?
Do you tailor the EPOS and card payment setup to my specific sector?
What does it really cost, and is there a card machine included?
Is there a long contract or lock-in?
Can I switch from my current EPOS or card machine provider?
How quickly do I get my money, and is it secure?
Can I start small and add more later?
Get in touch to explore EPOS, payments and AI for your sector
Book a free, no-obligation demo and we will set up EPOS, card payments, kiosks and AI to suit the way your industry really works.
Book a demo