uno

uno, card machine and POS consultancy for independent merchants in the UK

uno (unopos.co.uk) is a British consultancy that helps independent UK merchants choose the most suitable card machine and POS solution. Its approach is based on working with a wide range of providers rather than representing just one, and on supporting the merchant throughout the entire process: from the initial assessment through to installation, configuration and ongoing support.

The company states it has over a decade of experience evaluating independent businesses across the country, from bricks-and-mortar retail to events and festivals, as well as mobile trading. That hands-on experience is presented as the differentiating factor compared to other alternatives.

A model based on independence from providers

According to the company itself, payment providers tend to recommend only their own products. By working with multiple providers, uno can offer merchants a broader range of options and base its recommendation on how the business actually operates, not on the limited catalogue of a single firm.

uno installs every product it recommends and provides ongoing after-sales support, acting as a single point of contact who knows the merchant's business, without the merchant having to explain their operation to a call centre.

The four-step working process

The methodology described by the company is structured in four phases:

• Identify: analyse where the merchant's current payment solution is losing time and money.
• Shortlist: draw up a list of the best-fitting solutions from a wide range of options across multiple providers, so the merchant can make an informed choice.
• Install: install and configure the chosen solution, from a single standalone terminal to a multi-site POS setup.
• Support: demonstrate the solution on-site and remain the first point of contact for any subsequent needs.

Solutions for different sectors

uno states it has solutions for a wide variety of sectors: food and drink, retail, health and beauty, automotive, hospitality and leisure, trades and services, rural and outdoor, and small business.

Terminal features and payment management

According to the published information, all terminals uno recommends accept contactless payments as standard, including Apple Pay, Google Pay and contactless cards. Most merchants can also accept over-the-phone payments, available on-screen alongside contactless and Chip & Pin; the exception is some types of high-risk business that are not offered this option by default.

Refunds are processed from the terminal itself in a few steps. If a sale is cancelled on the same day, the amount never leaves the customer's account; if it is refunded after the provider's daily cut-off, the customer's bank typically takes three to five days to return it. All recommended terminals handle both cases.

Regarding PCI compliance, with several of the providers uno works with the merchant does not have to do anything because the provider handles it on their behalf; with the rest, it takes a few minutes once a year. The company states it informs the merchant which of the two scenarios applies before any contract is signed.

As for setup times, most businesses are up and running within a few days. uno handles the installation and configuration and then explains how it works to the merchant and their staff.

Client profile and coverage

The company serves independent merchants across the UK. Its experience ranges from bricks-and-mortar retail to events and festivals, as well as mobile trading. The consultancy is presented as a service that is not limited to remote sales, but involves understanding the merchant's business, identifying where their current setup is losing time and money, and providing support that continues beyond the signing of the contract.

Identity and registration

uno operates through the domain unopos.co.uk and clarifies that it has no connection to the UNO card game, to the Florida restaurant POS company UnoPOS (unopos.com) or to the Sheffield internet provider Uno Communications (uno.uk). The company is registered with the ICO (UK Information Commissioner's Office) as a data controller with registration number ZC191069.