Gronic Systems, a service provider specializing in electronics development manufacturing and machine-to-machine (M2M) solutions, has selected the Quectel SC200R, SC200E, SC668S, SC865 and SC682A modules for its development of smart point of sale (POS) devices. The Birstein, Germany based company offers comprehensive services to guide projects from conception to market launch. In 2017 it embarked on a journey to develop smart POS devices, initially building the entire system architecture in-house, integrating critical components such as the CPU (central processing unit) and Wi-Fi and LTE connectivity separately.

Gronic Systems sought to ensure seamless compatibility and optimization between the different components, but each had its own firmware, interface protocols and power requirements. This made integration a painstaking and time-consuming task. In addition, maintaining stable wireless connectivity across diverse environments added a further layer of complexity.

Seeking to avoid fragmentation and limit the number of components requiring extensive integration, Gronic Systems adopted the Quectel SC200E module series. The SC200E provides a harmonized platform in which the CPU, Wi-Fi, LTE and other essential components are pre-integrated and optimized for peak performance. This eliminates the need for extensive compatibility testing and firmware fine-tuning, significantly accelerating the development cycle. The firm says adoption of the SC200E has resulted in 65% faster development time for its products.

“With Quectel’s SC200E, we achieved a major milestone in our evolution, transforming our smart POS devices into more efficient, reliable and scalable solutions,” explains Manuel Grieb, the CEO of Gronic Systems GmbH. “This pivotal decision not only reduced hardware complexity but also enhanced overall system stability, allowing us to focus on innovation rather than troubleshooting integration issues. Looking back, adopting the Quectel smart module was a game-changer that propelled Gronic Systems’ smart POS technology to new heights, setting the stage for further advancements in the industry.”

The Quectel SC200E is a series of new-generation multi-mode LTE Cat 4 smart modules measuring 40.5mm × 40.5mm × 2.8mm. The series contains five variants with built-in Android OS and five variants with built-in Yocto Linux OS. SC200E smart modules can support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GNSS in addition LTE Cat 4.

The SC200E is suited to both industrial and consumer applications requiring high data rates and high-speed internet access. It delivers data rates of up to 150Mbps downlink and 50Mbps uplink on LTE networks. The SC200E is ideal for a wide range of IoT applications including POS devices, routers, data cards, in-vehicle solutions, digital signage, smart safety devices and industrial PDAs.

“We’re delighted that Gronic Systems has selected the Quectel SC200E smart module for its range of smart POS devices,” said Dominikus Hierl, SVP Sales for EMEA at Quectel Wireless Solutions. “Pre-integration of multiple components delivers a harmonized platform that can radically simplify and accelerate development of IoT devices. We’re looking forward to continuing our relationship with Gronic Systems as it adopts our SC668S, SC865 and SC682A smart modules in further projects.”

Key benefits of the Gronic Systems smart POS devices include seamless connectivity thanks to built-in LTE, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, an all-in-one solution which reduces hardware complexity and ensures smooth operation, and enhanced security thanks to encrypted communications and PCI compliance. In addition, the products feature user-friendly interfaces with intuitive touch screen functionality and are easily scalable for different use cases, with long-term availability.

Quectel was selected for its fully integrated solution, fast and professional development support, reliable pricing and order processing, and the long-term availability of its modules.

“Outstanding development support and service with very responsive reaction time helped us to shorten our time to market,” adds Grieb. “Quectel’s smart modules provided us with a fully integrated solution, eliminating the challenges of assembling multiple separate components. This significantly improved our development speed, product stability and overall customer satisfaction. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Quectel and exploring their next-generation solutions to further innovate our portfolio of smart solutions for the benefit of our clients.”