cOvID-19 rESOURCES

1. Power off the system and disconnect it from the outlet. Powering off the system and unplugging it from the wall is crucial. Drain any residual static electricity from the PC by touching a metal part of the case, not any of the components inside. Any residual static electricity has the potential to give you a shock or do permanent damage to the machine. 2. Moisten a soft, lint-free or microfiber cloth with the cleaning solution. NEVER spray the glass cleaner directly onto the display. The liquid will seep into the corners and in between the thin layers. This will cause black spots to appear on the touch screen. Never use ammonia-based glass cleaners, such as Windex, on your touch screen. The ammonia will destroy the screen membrane and cause permanent discoloration. In more severe cases, it will result in touch screens not working appropriately. 3. Wipe the display surface in a circular motion to remove any dirt or residue from the touch glass. Apply only slight, gentle pressure as you wipe the touch screen. The circular motion will ensure that any streaking is reduced as much as possible. 4. Use a dry, clean, microfiber cloth to gently dry the screen. Never dry with paper towels, facial tissues, or abrasive cloth. These items can cause tiny scratches in the touch screen. Always use a dry, clean, microfiber cloth to gently dry the screen. Instead, use a soft brush to remove any small objects from between the glass and the bezel. 5. Reconnect the power to the system and turn it on Once complete and you’re certain that the surface of the touch screen is completely dry, reconnect the power and turn the touch device back on. Cleaning Frequency During crises, such as the COVID pandemic, it’s critical to sanitize your touch screen devices as often as possible. For devices like rugged tablets that are handled by staff members each shift, consider cleaning them at the end of each shift. For fixed-terminals or self-service kiosk, consider cleaning at least once a day.

Here’s some advice for how to clean a POS terminal effectively — without destroying it: Choose the right disinfectant: When it comes to disinfecting electronics, you don’t have many choices. Most EPA-recommended options for household disinfectants are too harsh to use to clean POS terminals or PIN pads. The terminal may look like a simple piece of equipment, but it’s actually pretty complex. The components won’t last if you use harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia, or hydrogen peroxide. So, what can you use? The best option is a 70% to 90% isopropyl alcohol solution. Don’t spray or pour: You wouldn’t pour or splash any kind of liquid on your computer. Treat your POS terminal the same way. To clean a POS terminal, dampen a soft cloth with the alcohol solution and wipe the device, rather than spraying liquid on it. Don’t scrub or rub: You need to clean POS terminals gently. If you shake the device when you scrub it or cause a static electricity discharge when you rub it, it can cause internal damage or a tamper alert. Worst-case scenario: you need to replace the device. Clean between customers: Your customers want to know you take their health and well-being seriously, and they may be comforted to see you wiping the PIN pad between uses. The most effective way to do this is for the cashier to use an alcohol wipe immediately after a customer uses it, so it has time to dry before the next person uses it. This is thought to be the most effective way to disinfect a surface. A word of caution: Be careful about having your cashiers reuse the same rag all day to clean your POS terminals or other commonly touched surfaces — it could harbor the virus and even put your cashiers at risk for catching COVID-19. Thorough cleaning: It’s smart to give electronic equipment thorough cleanings from time to time. Dirt can build up on them, which makes disinfectants less effective. The best way to clean POS terminals thoroughly is, first, to unplug them, then gently clean them using a clean microfiber cloth and pH-neutral soap to remove debris. Follow this by wiping with a 70% to 90% alcohol solution. If your device has a touchscreen, wipe it gently, but don’t press hard, which will damage it. Some manufacturers offer cleaning wipes or kits you can use safely on their devices. Use them with caution. They may be designed to clean smudges or fingerprints from touchscreens, but not necessarily meant to disinfect devices from something like the coronavirus. Make sure if you’re putting the time into cleaning POS terminals that it’s actually doing some good. Whether it comes to how to clean POS terminals, other advice you need during the coronavirus crisis or help you need keeping your POS system and your business running, remember you can always