Case study
Brunel University
Future Proofing Campus Retail with MSP Software & BOXTEC POS Solutions
Brunel University operates two Costcutter convenience stores on its campus, serving thousands of students, staff and visitors throughout the academic year.
The university’s retail operation consists of:
- A main store offering hot food, cold food and convenience retail products
- A second convenience store focused on quick purchase items and groceries
- Multiple checkout points and self-service facilities designed to manage fluctuating student demand during peak trading periods
As the existing EPOS platform approached end of life, Brunel University recognised the need to modernise both its software and hardware infrastructure to support future growth and deliver a better customer experience.
The Challenge
Brunel University’s existing POS software had reached the end of its development lifecycle. While the system had served the business well, there were limited opportunities for future enhancements, integrations or innovation.
At the same time, the existing hardware estate was over seven years old and showing signs of heavy daily use. The university wanted a solution that would:
- Support future integrations and technology developments
- Improve transaction speeds
- Enhance the student experience
- Increase operational flexibility during busy trading periods
- Replace ageing hardware with a modern and reliable platform
The Solution
As a Costcutter retailer, Brunel University initially engaged with MSP to evaluate replacement EPOS software options and trialled a demonstration unit. The MSP software quickly proved to be a strong fit for the university’s retail environment, meeting all functional requirements while offering the flexibility and future-proofing capabilities the business was looking for. Following the successful evaluation, MSP recommended BOXTEC as its preferred hardware partner, bringing together a complete end-to-end solution that combined MSP’s retail software with BOXTEC’s modern POS and self-service hardware.
Hardware Deployed
The deployment was designed to provide Brunel University with a flexible checkout environment that could adapt to changing customer demand throughout the day.
The solution included two BOXTEC CORE 4 POS terminals, each with a customer-facing touchscreen, alongside four BOXTEC Edge 19 self-checkout terminals equipped with an additional security display to assist with loss prevention and shrinkage control.
A key benefit of the combined MSP software and BOXTEC CORE 4 hardware solution is the ability for terminals to operate as either traditional staffed tills or self-service checkouts.
This enables the university to increase self-service capacity during peak trading periods without the need to invest in additional hardware, with the MSP software and BOXTEC hardware working together to provide the flexibility to switch modes quickly and efficiently.
As customer volumes fluctuate, checkout configurations can be adjusted quickly, helping to reduce queues, improve customer flow and maximise the utilisation of existing equipment.
The result is a more efficient and cost effective retail operation that delivers greater flexibility for staff while enhancing the overall customer experience.
Implementation
The installation was completed with minimal disruption to operations and represented a significant achievement for the project team. The entire migration was completed in just three days, with all hardware installation and replacement work finished within a single day. Existing cabling and infrastructure were renewed and MSP is providing ongoing support for both software and hardware. The efficient deployment ensured the stores remained fully operational throughout the project and were ready for the return of students at the start of the new academic year.
Results
Since go-live, the new solution has been met with positive feedback from both staff and customers. Key benefits include:
- Faster and more responsive POS terminals
- Improved payment transaction speeds
- Better user experience for both staff and students
- Future-ready software platform capable of supporting new integrations
- Greater flexibility through hybrid POS and self-service functionality
- Reduced queue times during busy trading periods
Staff immediately noticed the performance improvements compared with the legacy system, while students have found the new checkout experience intuitive and easy to use.
With student numbers returning in full during September, the new solution has already been tested under high-volume trading conditions and has performed reliably, demonstrating its ability to support busy campus retail environments.
Members of the implementation team working on-site during launch commented on the transformation, describing the new environment as a significant improvement over the previous system.
“We wanted a solution that would not only replace our ageing EPOS system but also give us the flexibility to support the future needs of our retail operation. The MSP software was a great fit from the start and the BOXTEC hardware has exceeded expectations. The tills are faster, the payment process is smoother and the ability to switch between staffed and self-service checkouts helps us manage busy periods far more effectively. The feedback from our staff and students has been extremely positive.”
Conclusion
By combining MSP’s future-ready retail software with BOXTEC’s modern POS and self-service hardware, Brunel University implemented a fully integrated retail solution that has transformed its campus retail operation.
The project has delivered a faster, more flexible and more scalable checkout experience for students and staff while providing the university with a platform that is ready to support future innovation and growth.