You can install receipt printers with integrated EFTPOS terminals for Retail Express POS, enabling streamlined customer checkout with automated receipt printing and payment processing. This helps optimize your retail operations by providing professional customer receipts, supporting Australian EFTPOS integration, and creating efficient payment workflows reducing transaction time.
The Retail Express Hardware Utility enables Retail Express POS to communicate with hardware connected through your local network, including docket receipt printers and integrated EFTPOS terminals.
Use this article to:
- Install and configure a receipt printer
- Configure integrated EFTPOS
- Assign hardware to Retail Express registers
To access Installing Receipt Printers and Integrated EFTPOS Video, click here.
Prerequisites
The Hardware Utility attempts to install any missing prerequisite software during the initial installation. When the automatic installation fails, install the required software manually and run the installation again.
Required software includes:
- Windows 7 or later
- Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6.1 or later
- Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 runtime libraries
- Microsoft POS for .NET version 1.12
Important: Do not install Microsoft POS for .NET version 1.1.4.
The documented supported Windows operating systems are:
- Windows 7, 32-bit or 64-bit
- Windows 8, 32-bit or 64-bit
- Windows 8.1, 32-bit or 64-bit
- Windows 10
Windows 8.1 RT is not supported.
Contact your system administrator or computer technician when assistance is required to download or install the prerequisite software.
Administrator access
Administrator privileges are required to:
- Install the Hardware Utility and allow it to create the required Windows registry entries
- Permit communication through the required computer ports
- Configure antivirus software to allow the required Retail Express communication
Antivirus considerations
Any antivirus applications should be disabled during the installation process, or exceptions added to allow the installation to occur.
Windows Updates
Ensure all available Windows updates have been applied and that the computer has a stable internet connection before beginning the installation.
Before you begin
Ensure the following configuration and information are available before starting.
Configure the required registers
Retail Express comes with two registers by default (Back office and , Register 1). To add, enable, disable, or remove registers, please contact Customer Success at success@maropost.com.
Additional fees may apply – please Click Here to view details.
Navigate to: Settings > POS Settings > Registers
Once the Hardware Utility installation has started, it will not detect registers created during the installation. When a register is missing, cancel the installation, create the register, and run the Hardware Utility again.
Gather your Retail Express access details
You will need:
- Retail Express Client ID: Navigate to Help & Support > What’s my Client ID
- Username and password: Use your normal Retail Express Back Office login details
User accounts can be reviewed under: Staff > Users
Running the Hardware Utility
Running the Hardware Utility also updates it to the latest available version. You can start the download through the backoffice ‘Help & Support Menu' as shown below:
Important: After completing the configuration, log out of POS from the POS home page and log back in through the blue Register Login screen. Closing the browser does not log you out of POS.
Download the Hardware Utility
When the Hardware Utility is not installed:
- Open Retail Express Back Office.
- Navigate to Help & Support > Hardware Utility.
- Select OK in the pop-up message.
- Open the downloaded file.
Enter a unique Hardware Friendly Name
Each computer must have a unique Hardware Friendly Name.
Find your Retail Express Client ID
Navigate to: Help & Support > What’s my Client ID
Alternatively, use the Retail Express Back Office subdomain. This is the combination of letters and numbers before .retailexpress.com.au in the Back Office address.
For example, for the following Back Office address:
https://mystorename.retailexpress.com.au
Enter : mystorename as the Client ID.
Tyro and Linkly (PC EFTPOS) will need to be installed and configured by your EFTPOS provider before Retail Express Hardware utility can complete. Please make sure this has been installed before continuing.
Further installation instructions for Tyro is mentioned here. Installation details for Linkly is available here.
Full installation process
Supported receipt printer connections
The Hardware Utility supports the following receipt printer connection scenarios:
- A receipt printer connected directly to a Windows computer through USB and configured as a Windows printer using the manufacturer’s drivers
- A receipt printer connected directly through an LPT or COM port without manufacturer drivers
- A Windows printer configured to communicate with a docket printer over a local Ethernet or wireless network
When using an LPT or COM connection, you must know the printer’s Baud Rate during the configuration.
In most cases, when Windows can communicate with a network printer, Retail Express should also be able to communicate with it through the Hardware Utility.
Note: Refer to the existing supported POS terminal configuration guidance where applicable.
The Client ID, username, and password are case-sensitive.
Configure the Hardware Utility
1. Start the configuration wizard
- On the Welcome page, select Next.
- When the Hardware Utility was previously installed, a warning explains that the connected hardware will be temporarily unavailable. Select the confirmation checkbox, then select Next.
- Allow the Hardware Utility to install any required prerequisite programs.
- Enter the Client ID, Username, and Password.
- Select Next.
2. Select the outlet
Select the required outlet from the list, then select Next.
The outlets displayed are based on the access assigned to the user account entered in the previous step.
When the required outlet is not displayed, ask your Retail Express administrator to assign that outlet to the user account. Retail Express cannot provide administrator credentials for security reasons.
3. Enter the Hardware Friendly Name
Enter a unique Hardware Friendly Name, then select Next.
The Hardware Friendly Name is used internally to identify the computer.
4. Select the network adapter
The Hardware Utility displays the active network adapter and its IP address.
When two network adapters have active internet connections:
- Select the primary network adapter.
- Disable the other adapter.
Contact your system administrator when you are unsure which adapter should be used.
5. Connect the receipt printer
Connect and power on the receipt printer, then select Next.
The Hardware Utility searches for connected printers. Once the search is complete, the Printer Port screen is displayed.
Note: Cash drawers are normally triggered by the receipt printer. Once the receipt printer is configured successfully, the connected cash drawer should also open correctly.
6. Select how to detect the printer
Choose one of the following options:
Option | Description |
|---|
Auto Detect and Test Print | Automatically cycles through the available COM ports, LPT ports, and Windows printers and attempts to send a test print. |
Choose Printer Port (Advanced) | Displays the available printers and ports so you can select a printer or port manually. |
7. Confirm the test print
On the Print Confirmation screen, select the option that matches the test result.
Test result | What happens next |
|---|
Nothing Printed — Try Next Port | The printer list is displayed, or the Hardware Utility automatically moves to the next printer or port. |
Something Printed to the Wrong Printer | The printer list is displayed, or the Hardware Utility automatically moves to the next printer. |
Garbled Text Printed to the Right Printer | The printer connection is correct, but the Baud Rate must be configured. Select the option to continue to the Baud Rate configuration. |
Clear Text Printed to the Correct Printer | The printer test was successful. Continue to the next step. |
8. Configure integrated EFTPOS
The Integrated EFTPOS (Card Payment Terminal) screen is displayed.
To complete the Hardware Utility without configuring integrated payments:
- Select None.
- Select Next.
- Continue to the register assignment section.
To configure an integrated payment system such as Tyro or PC EFTPOS, complete the relevant payment configuration first. Return to the register assignment stage when prompted.
Assign registers to the hardware
The register selection screen displays the available Retail Express registers and their existing hardware assignments.
Column | Description |
|---|
Register | The register name configured in Retail Express. |
Attached to another computer | Indicates that the register was assigned to another computer during a previous Hardware Utility installation. It can still be selected and reassigned to the current computer. |
Attached To | Displays the name of the other computer currently associated with the register. |
Select | Assigns the register to the current computer and printer. |
Choose the appropriate configuration based on how the registers and computers are used in the outlet.
Different registers for each computer
Use this configuration when each computer has its own Retail Express register.
For example:
- Computer 1 signs in to Brisbane Outlet — Register 1
- Computer 2 signs in to Brisbane Outlet — Register 2
On each computer:
- Run the Hardware Utility.
- Select the register assigned to that computer.
- Continue with the installation.
The Hardware Utility must be run separately on each computer.
Add computers or tablets that use existing hardware
Use this configuration when additional computers or tablets need to use an existing receipt printer or integrated EFTPOS terminal.
This is commonly used during peak trading periods, such as Christmas or major shopping events.
For example, an outlet may normally use two computers but temporarily add additional computers or tablets that communicate with the existing receipt printer and EFTPOS terminal rather than using dedicated hardware.
Before starting:
- Create any required registers under Settings > POS Settings > Registers.
- Run the Hardware Utility on the additional computer to install the required certificates.
- Select the new registers while ensuring the existing register configuration remains selected.
- Continue with the installation.
Once complete, the additional computers or tablets can sign in to the appropriate registers and use the existing hardware.
Important: When the required registers were not created before the installation began, cancel the installation, create the registers, and run the Hardware Utility again.
Use one register on multiple computers
Use this configuration when two or more computers sign in to the same Retail Express register.
For example, multiple computers may all sign in to:
Brisbane Outlet — Register 1
For the hardware to work correctly, configure Local Hardware Override.
Leave the Hardware Utility open, then:
- Open Retail Express Back Office.
- Navigate to Settings > POS Settings > Hardware Services.
- Select the Local Hardware Override tab.
- Locate the required register.
- Select Force Local.
- Select Save Changes.
- Return to the Hardware Utility.
- Select the same register.
Complete the configuration
- Allow the Hardware Utility to save the hardware configuration. This may take several minutes.
- When the Retail Express Hardware Setup Finished screen appears, select Finish.
- Log out of POS completely.
- Log back in through the blue Register Login screen.
Google Chrome local network access
When using Google Chrome, local network access must be enabled so that POS can communicate with the connected hardware.
Configure integrated EFTPOS — Tyro
New Tyro installation
When the Tyro software has not previously been installed, the Hardware Utility attempts to download and install it automatically.
Follow the existing Tyro Installation article to complete the configuration.
A new Tyro terminal may need to be activated by Tyro over the phone before it can be installed.
Existing Tyro installation
Tyro may already have installed and configured the terminal. In this case, the Retail Express Hardware Utility checks the existing configuration and requires verification.
- On the Integrated EFTPOS (Card Payment Terminal) screen, select Tyro.
- Select Next.
- The Hardware Utility checks the installation and displays the Pair and Configure Your Tyro Payment Terminal screen.
- Select the blue Open Tyro Terminal Configuration Screen button.
- Under Printing Location, select whether receipts should print from:
- The Tyro terminal, or
- A local receipt printer attached directly to the computer
- Select Verify Key.
- Once verification is complete, select OK.
- Return to the Hardware Utility and select Next.
- Continue from the register assignment section.
Manage the Hardware Utility
Re-run the hardware installation
The Hardware Utility can be run again at any time.
You can either:
- Download and run the Hardware Utility again through Retail Express, or
- Open the desktop shortcut created during the original installation
To use the desktop shortcut:
- Open the Retail Express Hardware Utility.
- Select Launch Configuration Wizard.
- Follow the configuration prompts.
Reinstall the Hardware Utility
The Hardware Utility may become corrupted following a power outage or an incorrect computer shutdown. In this situation, a complete reinstallation may be required.
- Select the Utility.exe download in the Available Downloads
Note: Utility.exe is not the Retail Express Hardware Utility itself.
- When the browser displays a warning, select Run or Keep, depending on the browser.
- Select Allow or Yes when prompted by Windows.
- When Windows displays Windows protected your PC, select More info > Run anyway.
- Select Re-Install.
- Select OK.
- Follow the onscreen prompts.
Note: During reinstallation, the Hardware Utility is downloaded again. When prompted, run setup.exe to begin the installation wizard.
Uninstall the Hardware Utility
- Select the Utility.exe download in the Available Downloads section at the bottom of the existing article.
Note: Utility.exe is not the Retail Express Hardware Utility itself.
- When the browser displays a warning, select Run or Keep, depending on the browser.
- Select Allow or Yes when prompted by Windows.
- When Windows displays Windows protected your PC, select More info > Run anyway.
- Select Uninstall the Hardware Utility.
- Select OK.
- Follow the onscreen prompts.
Note: In rare cases, this process may not remove the complete installation. To finish the uninstall manually, navigate to Control Panel > Programs > Retail Express Hardware Utility > Uninstall.
Frequently asked questions
For comprehensive troubleshooting guidance, refer to:
Receipt Printer and Integrated EFTPOS — Troubleshooting
Confirm that the Hardware Service is running when:
- Receipts are not printing
- Integrated EFTPOS is not working
The service may have stopped because:
- The computer is still completing its startup processes
- Antivirus software has blocked the service
To restart the service:
- Log out of POS completely.
Closing the browser does not log you out of POS. - Open the Retail Express Hardware Utility from the desktop icon or Windows Start menu.
- When a User Account Control prompt appears, select Yes.
- Check the service status in the lower-left corner of the Hardware Utility.
- When the service status is Stopped, navigate to Service > Start.
- When the service status is Running, navigate to Service > Restart.
- Log back in to POS.
- Retry a sale to confirm that the issue has been resolved.
To restore the Hardware Utility immediately, manually restart the Hardware Service using the previous instructions.
For an ongoing resolution, identify why the service is not starting automatically.
Common causes include:
- The computer is slow to start and processes are still loading
- The Hardware Service has been changed to a manual startup type
- Antivirus software has blocked the service
Restart the computer and wait
At a suitable time, normally outside trading hours when the hardware is not required:
- Restart the computer.
- Allow additional time for all computer processes to load.
- Open the Hardware Utility.
- Check the service status in the lower-left corner.
Wait longer than would normally be required to confirm whether the issue is caused by a startup delay.
Check the antivirus software
The process varies depending on the antivirus software installed.
Review blocked programs and services and check whether the Retail Express Hardware Utility is listed as a blocked item.
Check the Windows service settings
The service may have been changed to a manual startup type, which means it runs only when started manually.
For Windows 10:
- Select the Windows icon.
- Type
Services. - Open the Services desktop application.
- Locate Retail Express Hardware Service.
- Confirm that the startup type is:
- Automatic, or
- Automatic (Delayed Start)
- Select OK.
The Retail Express Hardware Utility requires Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6.1 or later.
The required version may already have been installed through Windows Update. When you attempt to install it, Windows will advise when the required version or a later version is already present. In that case, no further action is required.
Before updating Microsoft .NET
- When the Hardware Utility has previously been installed, it may continue running in the background. Install .NET before opening the utility again to troubleshoot, install, or reinstall hardware.
- Windows XP is not supported.
- Administrator access is required. When the current account is not an administrator account, contact your network administrator or local computer technician.
To download and install Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6.1:
- Open the Microsoft download page linked in the existing article.
- Select the required language.
- Select Download.
- Follow the installation prompts.
- Once installed, return to the Hardware Utility installation instructions.
The Hardware Utility can display its configuration as a text document.
This can help diagnose how the hardware is configured, including whether a receipt printer is connected as a Windows printer or through a serial connection.
- Open the Retail Express Hardware Service from the desktop icon or Windows Start menu.
- Navigate to File > Show Config.
- The configuration text document is displayed.
This issue is commonly caused by the Windows font or display scale being changed from its default value.
To correct it:
- Close the Hardware Utility.
- Minimise all programs until the Windows desktop is visible.
- Right-click the desktop.
- Select Display settings.
- Locate Scale and layout.
- Under Change the size of text, apps and other items, select 100%.