Will you replace your Sharp Cash Register with a SAM4s register or Square POS?

 

Why It’s Time to Replace Your Sharp Cash Register — And What to Choose Instead

If you’re still running your business on a Sharp cash register, you’re relying on a machine that hasn’t been manufactured in more than a decade. That’s not an exaggeration — Sharp exited the cash register business over ten years ago, and since then, parts have become harder to find, repairs take longer, and support is increasingly limited. For a device that sits at the heart of your daily operations, that’s a risky place to be.

The good news is that you have excellent upgrade options, and two of the strongest choices come from us at The Cash Register Guys: a modern SAM4s cash register or a Square POS system. Both paths give you reliability, support, and features that simply aren’t possible with aging Sharp hardware.

Let’s break down why upgrading now is a smart move — and which direction might be right for your business.

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The Problem With Sticking to Sharp

🛠 No new machines. Sharp hasn’t produced a single cash register in over ten years. Every unit still in use is aging hardware with no future updates.

🔧 Parts are drying up. As components become scarce, repairs take longer and cost more — assuming the part can be found at all.

📉 Limited support. With no manufacturer backing, you’re relying on third‑party technicians who may not have access to everything they need.

In short: Sharp registers had a great run, but they’re now past their serviceable lifespan. Upgrading isn’t just about getting new features — it’s about protecting your business from downtime.

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Option 1: Upgrade to a SAM4s Cash Register

If you like the simplicity and durability of a traditional cash register, SAM4s is the natural successor to Sharp.

Why SAM4s?

• Modern hardware with familiar workflows
  SAM4s registers feel like the Sharp models you’re used to, but with updated components and better longevity.

• Reliable and affordable
  They’re built for businesses that want a straightforward, dependable register without the complexity of a full POS system.

• Supported by real dealers (like us)
  Unlike Sharp, SAM4s is actively manufacturing and supporting their machines — and we provide programming, setup, and ongoing assistance.

For many small retailers, SAM4s is the perfect “Sharp replacement” that keeps things simple while giving you modern reliability.

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Option 2: Move to a Square POS System

If you’re ready to step into a more powerful, flexible system, Square is one of the most user‑friendly POS platforms on the market — and there’s a new reason to consider it.

Square Just Launched a Dealer Program — And We’re Part of It

Square recently introduced an official dealer program, and The Cash Register Guys are proud to be one of the first authorized dealers. That means you can now get Square hardware, setup, and support through a trusted local partner instead of going it alone.

Why Square?

• Cloud‑based reporting and inventory
• Integrated payments
• Modern touchscreen hardware
• Easy staff training
• Scalable for growth

Square is ideal for businesses that want more insight, automation, and flexibility than a traditional register can offer.

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Ready to Upgrade?

Replacing your Sharp cash register isn’t just a matter of convenience — it’s a smart business decision. With Sharp long out of the game, now is the perfect time to move to a system that’s supported, reliable, and built for the future.

If you’re unsure which direction to go, we’re happy to help you compare options and choose the best fit for your business. Call us at 1-800-863-2274 or here for SAM4s Cash Registers information and if you are interested in Square POS from a dealer here. 

Yes, Sharp has gone out of business, they no longer make cash registers

 

Its time to upgrade your Sharp Cash Register to a SAM4s instead

That is because Sharp is gone and they have been for many years. If you see a Sharp for sale it is probably very very used of part of some overstock from ten years ago, stay away from it! There is only one commercial grade cash register made for the American market and that is SAM4s. We have converted hundreds of Sharp cash register users over to SAM4s with great success.  If you need help selecting the right SAM4s cash register to replace your Sharp give us a call. We are familiar with the commercial grade Sharp models because we sold them for years. We can help you select a replacement and tell you the differences just call us at 800-863-2274

Do you need to convert your Sharp UP-700 to a new cash register or POS system?

 

Are you still using a Sharp UP-700 Cash Register?

We used to sell and support quite a few UP-700 registers but they have not been made in over five years. If you are still using one you might want to make the switch to a new modern SAM4s register as soon as you can. We do hear from users all the time that have waited until it is too late. Don't let that happen to you. The SAM4s model SAP-630F is a superior system that has many features the Sharp does not have. One of the huge features the SAM4s has that the Sharp does not is the ability to integrate with EMV pin pads. If you are ready to make the move to a modern solution give us a call at 800-863-2274 or online at The Sharp UP-700 Replacement. 

Converting the Data in your Sharp cash register to a new register

So this may come as new to you but Sharp has exited the cash register business. They no longer make any cash registers. If you see them for sale it is because someone has excess stock. 

So what can you do if you have an older Sharp that you have been programming with UPC numbers for years? Well we have a couple options depending on the make and model of the Sharp cash register you have and your computer skills. We may be able to import the Sharp cash register data to a new SAM4s register.

If you are looking for a new register system give us a call and see what we might be able to do. 800-863-2274

Programming and support for Sharp Cash Registers

Even though Sharp no longer supports or sells their cash registers we can help. We can program and support all the commercial grade Sharp cash registers (not models starting with XE)

We offer tech support, parts and options. We also have the hard to find supplies like the Sharp Cash Register Covers.

If you need programming or supplies give us a call at 800-863-2274

Sharp cash registers are no longer made

For whatever reason Sharp has exited the cash register business for both commercial and consumer models. If you are in need of a commercial grade cash register then you should look at the SAM4s line of machines. They have more features and functions then the Sharp registers.

We do have a few Sharp ER-A410 and ER-A420 models available new in box.

While there may not be such a thing as a free lunch there is a Free POS system. Harbortouch pioneered this segment many years ago and we have been patiently watching to see how the model would work. After a couple years and over 10K systems I would have to say it has been a success.

There are a couple huge advantages with the Harbortouch free POS system. Your start up cost is tiny compared to traditional  POS purchases. With Harbortouch you have a lifetime warranty, and a big advantage is your support is free, programming is free and training is free.

Give us a call at 1-800-863-2274 to discuss how the free POS might work for you.

Short term cash register rental

We rent cash registers for short term use and ship all over the country. Maybe you have a annual event you need cash registers for a week or two then we can help. We have several different models to chose from with different options like bar code scanners, credit card interface and more so if you need to rent cash registers then give us a call at 1-800-863-2274

Sharp cash register supplies

The cash register guys carry the harder to find cash register receipt paper and ink ribbons and rollers. One paper size in particular that seems to be harder for people to find is the 44mm thermal paper. Many Sharp cash registers use 44mm paper including many XE models.

We always stock 44mm thermal as well as 44mm bond paper rolls as well. Not sure what you register uses then call us at 1-800-863-2274 and I'm sure we carry your cash register supplies.

Can't find a Sharp ER-A520?

 

 

 

The Sharp ER-A520 cash register is no longer available. As you may know Sharp is getting out of the commercial cash register business in the USA. If you are looking for a cash register like the ER-A520 I recommend the SAM4s ER-945 register pictured above with the optional expanded keyboard.

The ER-945 has a receipt and journal printer, 21 buttons, 5 bill 5 coin cash drawer with media slots, optional credit card interface, optional gift card interface, optional bar code scanner and much more.

To help figure out if this is a good machine for you call us at 1-800-863-2274

Are you looking for cash register supplies

 Not only do we know a lot about cash registers here we know a lot about the supplies they need. We sell many different types of receipt paper and inking devices including the popular ink roller IR-90/91 and the ERC-18 cartridge ribbon.

We have noticed some people have a hard time finding receipt paper in some pretty common sizes. We offer 44mm bond (requires ribbon) as well as 44mm thermal receipt paper (no ribbon required). We also carry all the other normal sizes like 2.25" thermal and even 2 and 3 ply rolls.

Don't forget to protect your cash register with a keyboard cover. We carry all the covers for SAM4s cash registers and most if not all of the commercial grade Sharp cash registers.

If you are looking for cash register supplies give us a call at 1-800-863-2274 and we will try and help you out.

Are you asking why your cash register stuck?

So the first thing people do when their cash register is stuck min an error or unknown state is unplug it. Please don't unplug your cash register unless a technician who knows that register has instructed you to. You can make the problem worse when you unplug the machine.

Cash registers all have a rechargeable battery in them. The battery is only used when you lose power. If you have an older register your battery may be dead and you don't even know it. If you unplug your register with a dead battery you will have just made the problem so much worse.

If your register is stuck no amount of unplugging it will help. If the battery is good you can leave it unplugged for hours or days and when you plug it back in you will be right where you where when you unplugged it!

If you need help trouble shooting a SAM4s or commercial grade Sharp cash register we do help for a fee, if you bought the register from us we can help for no cost. Call us at 1-800-863-2274

Sharp cash registers still available

Many of the Sharp cash registers are still available new in the box. We have the Sharp ER-A410, ER-A420, ER-A247 and the ER-A347. We sold our last Sharp ER-A520 today and I don't think there are any left in the US.Parts are still available for now but no idea how long.

If you are in need of a new cash register I highly recommend one of the SAM4s cash registers. This company is growing and making great new products.

Need help selecting a cash register? Call us at 1-800-863-2274

The Datacap Twin Tran works with many Sharp Cash Registers

Datacap Twin Tran

The Datacap Twin Tran is a mystery to most credit card companies and users for that matter. They are the middle ware between a cash register and merchant services. The Datacap is used by SAM4s cash registers, Casio Cash Registers and many of the commercial grade Sharp cash registers.

If you bought a store with an existing cash register with a Datacap device attached we can help you reprogram it for your merchant services.

The first step is to call us with the serial number so we can determine the age and version to rule out if an upgrade is needed or not.

There are several Datacap devices available depending on you needs.

• The Datacap Dial Tran
• The Datacap IP Tran
• The Datacap Twin Tran

Then they all have several options to chose from

• Single lane or multi lane
• With or without Gift Card Support
• With or without MSR

To find out which you need call us at 1-800-863-2274 and we will help select the right model for your business.

Sharp Cash Registers still available

We still have a good supply of all of the Sharp cash registers available. The most popular still seems to be the Sharp ER-A410 and the ER-A420 and we have plenty of both of them.

If you not sure whether you should buy a Sharp or a SAM4s register give us a call at 1-800-863-2274

Sharp makes a couple great cash registers

If you are looking for a cash register Sharp makes a couple great models. The ER-A247 and the ER-347 have been very popular machines. They also offer credit card interface, SD card port, PC link via SD card and lead through programming.

If you are not sure which cash register would be best for you give us a call at 1-800-863-2274

Do Sharp cash registers have a Z counter?

When you use a cash register in your business it has tools built into it to keep your money secure, many people don't know this. The cash register was invented to stop pilfering from happening by a bar owner in Ohio who suspected he was being stolen from by employees.

A couple simple and overlooked tools a cash register provides for support are as follows: The Non-Resettable Grand Totals and the Z counters. These are both very much like an odometer in a car. They simple count how much was ever sold through this cash register and how many Z reports have been taken. Why are these items important you might ask? That is an excellent question.

First you must have a strict rule that receipts must be given for a sale, the cash drawer should be closed in order to make a sale, and remove the no sale key feature from the register. All of this make it much more difficult for a cashier to fake ringing up a sale and pocketing the money. If you make it easier for a cashier to help themselves to money chances are those tempted are going to.

After you have made it more difficult to fake ringing up a sale pay attention to the Z counter on your end of day Z reports. They should only count by 1 for each Z taken. For an example lets say the z counter has been counting by two instead of one. This is an indication that the register has been Z'd out without your knowledge and you never received the report. OK so you may be thinking yah so what just more paperwork for me and my employees would never steal right, they are like family. Well a Z counter counting by two means that they are running part of their shift, Z'ing out the register and keeping all of the money. Then they operate like normal for the rest of the day.

I have seen this happen dozens of times with my own eyes while helping clients figure out where their money has been going, why their sales have been dropping etc.

If you are lucky enough to stay in the retail or restaurant business long enough it is not a matter of if but rather when you are stolen from.

If you need help selecting the right cash register to keep your business more secure then please call us at 1-800-863-2274

Plenty of Sharp cash registers in stock

We still have lots of Sharp cash registers in stock from the ER-A347 to the ER-A530 and everything in between. Many of the Sharp models will interface to credit card and gift card payments as well as many other options. Give us a call at 1-800-863-2274 if you are looking for a commercial grade register

Sharp cash register keyboard templates

Having a keyboard template for your Sharp cash register makes it easy for you to update your keyboard when you program new items or when your old overlay just wears out.

We give our customers a free template so they can create or re-print keyboard overlays whenever you would like. You can download a few different models here Sharp keyboard templates

Are Tablet POS systems going to replace cash registers and POS

The trend in the POS industry is going with tablets like the iPad or an Android tablet. I think the jury is still out on whether this trend will be sustained or not, however it is currently a hot market in Seattle.

There are a couple problems that arise with some Tablet POS systems we have come across and even replaced with a more traditional POS system like Digital Dining or a SAM4s cash register. The problem in most every case is because the majority of Tablet systems seem to be cloud based instead of being in-house. Being cloud based has pros and cons and you need to decide what is important for you.

I personally recently went to a small cup cake bakery to buy cupcakes for my children. The bakery had a very nice looking Tablet POS system, however I don't know the brand they were using. During check out their internet connection was lost and they could not accept my credit card payment. I offered cash for payment but because the cloud was not available this cloud based tablet POS system could not even open the drawer to accept cash and make change. Yes you heard correctly the store could not even open the cash drawer as it was dependent on the internet. The shop keeper was embarrassed because he could not sell anything and they had not created a crash kit with a calculator, pencil and receipt book. I could tell this was not the first time this had happened to him.

Most tablet POS systems also require a monthly fee instead of out right purchase or even worse that you use a specific merchant services and they are charging you more then another company might.

So what is the solution? Well the Tabby POS system from SAM4s is a self contained Tablet system. You get all the great features of a Tablet system without the huge cost and being at the whim of you internet connection.

For more information call us at 1-800-863-2274 and if you are in Washington State specifically the Seattle Tacoma area we can arrange to meet with you for a full demonstration on the Tabby POS system