Payments processor First Data has launched Clover, its brand new point-of-sale (PoS) platform targeted at small- to medium-sized businesses. The product unveiling comes nearly a year after First Data acquired start-up Clover.

According to a TechCrunch report, Clover founder Leonard Speiser claims the new PoS platform stands out from “traditional” PoS terminals, including those using iPad-based options (such as Square).

The reason, he says, is because merchants need other things like payroll integration and inventory tracking – not just credit card processing

“The best thing to do here is to take lessons [from smartphones], and give merchants the ability to have a core register and also include apps they can integrate,” he said, quoted by TechCrunch.

The Clover Station is a countertop device that includes a 11.6-inch touchscreen, secure Android-based OS, QR and barcode scanner, Bluetooth, 802.11, ethernet and high-speed printer.

Merchants can choose from apps that include customer management, inventory and analytics.

First Data says station set-up takes 15 minutes and, depending on the options, costs between $500 and $1,000.