Who is this for?
StoreHub merchants who have more than one POS register at the counter but only one (or a smaller number of) AMS1 terminal — for example, a counter with two cashier stations sharing a single payment terminal.
Overview
A single AMS1 terminal can be shared by multiple POS registers in the same store. You set this up once in BackOffice and then your cashiers follow a simple workflow to coordinate when they use the terminal.
This article shows you how to enable a shared terminal in BackOffice and the cashier workflow that prevents two payments from clashing on the same terminal.
Before You Begin
You have admin access to your StoreHub BackOffice.
The AMS1 terminal is already set up and working with at least one POS register. If it is not, see 'How to Set Up the AMS1 Terminal and Docking Station' first.
You know the Terminal ID of the AMS1 — it is printed on the back of the terminal and starts with
AMS1-.
How a Shared Terminal Works
In BackOffice, you set up the StoreHub Pay payment option once, then choose which registers can use it.
After a sync, the StoreHub Pay payment option appears on every selected register.
Any cashier on any of those registers can start a payment to the shared terminal.
The terminal can only handle one transaction at a time. While a payment is in progress, the terminal is busy and other registers cannot use it.
Step-by-Step Guide
Set Up the Shared Terminal in BackOffice
1. Log in to your BackOffice and go to 'Settings', then 'Payment Methods'. Some accounts may show this as 'Payment Options'.
2. Open the existing 'StoreHub Pay' payment option, or click 'Add Payment Method' to create a new one.
3. Fill in the payment option details:
Type: Payment Terminalb.
Provider: StoreHub Payc.
Terminal Type: AMS1d.
Terminal ID: the ID printed on the back of your AMS1, starting with
AMS1-
4. Scroll to the 'Available on registers' section. Check the box next to every register that should be able to use this terminal.
5. Click 'Save'.
6. On each affected POS register, tap 'Sync' to pull the updated payment option down to the device. 'StoreHub Pay' will now appear as a payment method on every selected register.
Cashier Workflow When Sharing a Terminal
Because only one terminal is shared between registers, your cashiers must coordinate when they use it. Without this coordination, payments will clash and one of them will fail.
Note: Do not start a payment on your POS until you have physically picked up the terminal and confirmed it is free.
Before each card payment:
1. Walk over to the AMS1 terminal and pick it up. Have it physically in your hand at your register.
2. Check the terminal screen — it should be on the idle screen, not in the middle of a transaction started by another cashier.
3. Only after the terminal is in your hand and idle, start the payment on your POS.
What Happens If Two Cashiers Try to Use the Terminal at Once
If another cashier is already in the middle of a payment when you start one:
Their payment continues normally — your action does not interrupt their customer.
Your payment will fail. The POS will show 'Payment processing...' until it times out and shows an error.
You will then need to wait until the terminal is free, walk over to fetch it, and start your payment again.
To avoid this, always pick up the terminal first.
Quick Do's and Don'ts
Do | Don't |
Walk to the terminal, pick it up, then start the payment on your POS. | Start the payment on your POS first and then go look for the terminal. |
Confirm the terminal screen is idle before starting. | Start a payment while another cashier is mid-transaction — yours will fail. |
Tell the customer to tap, insert, or swipe only after the terminal shows the amount. | Hand the terminal to the customer before the POS has connected to it. |
FAQs
1. How many registers can share one AMS1 terminal?
There is no fixed limit, but the more registers share one terminal, the more often cashiers will clash on it. For busy stores, plan for one terminal per two to three active registers.
2. Can two payments run on the terminal at the same time?
No. The terminal handles one transaction at a time. The second payment will fail until the first one is complete.
3. Will my customer's payment be interrupted if another cashier starts a payment on the same terminal?
No. The active payment continues normally. The new payment is the one that fails.
4. Can I add a second AMS1 terminal later?
Yes. Contact StoreHub Support to request a second terminal. Once it arrives, set it up as a separate payment option in BackOffice and choose which registers can use it.
Need Help?
Contact StoreHub Support via live chat in your StoreHub app or email [email protected].