Axium SmartPOS

Overview

The Axium SmartPOS line is NMI's range of Android-based payment terminals, powered by Ingenico hardware. These devices run payment-grade Android, support multiple integration modes, and are fully managed through the NMI platform. This article covers everything partners need to understand the hardware, configure the right integration mode, onboard merchants, and manage a device fleet at scale.

What Is Axium SmartPOS?

Axium SmartPOS is a family of Android-based smart terminals built on Ingenico hardware and integrated with the NMI platform. Unlike traditional payment terminals, these devices run a full Android operating system, which means partners can build and deploy their own branded applications directly on the device, not just alongside it.

Three models are available:

All three models are fully supported on the NMI platform and share the same core architecture: Android OS, NMI Payment Device SDK (Software Development Kit), PCI P2PE (Point-to-Point Encryption) built in, and remote management via Ingenico Estate Manager.

Why It Matters for Partners

Axium SmartPOS gives partners full ownership of the merchant experience. Key operational considerations:

• Partners build and run their own apps directly on the device, with full control over UX, branding, and workflow. There is no revenue share to a third party and no lock-in to another ecosystem.
• Merchants never lose a sale to a dropped connection. Transaction logic runs on the device. Payments are accepted, encrypted, and stored offline, then submitted automatically when connectivity is restored.
• PCI P2PE is hardware-built-in, not an add-on. This materially reduces the merchant's PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliance burden.
• Fleet management is remote. Partners push configs, view diagnostics, and schedule app updates across all devices without requiring on-site visits or merchant involvement.

Integration Modes

Partners choose an integration mode based on their existing software environment and how much control they want over the device experience. Two modes are currently available.

Mode 1 - Semi-Integrated (Android SDK)

Best for: Partners with existing POS (Point of Sale) software who need a modern terminal to pair with it.

In Semi-Integrated mode, the partner's existing POS connects to the Axium SmartPOS device over Bluetooth or local IP. The device handles the payment; the POS handles everything else. No changes to existing POS business logic are required.

• Uses the NMI Android SDK (Software Development Kit) partners already know
• Lowest-effort path for partners already built on NMI's Android SDK
• Transaction security (P2PE) handled on the device

Availability: UK - Now | US - Coming Soon

Mode 2 - Android All-in-One (Android SDK)

Best for: Partners who want full control and the highest-value deployment.

In Android All-in-One mode, the device is both the POS and the payment terminal. Partners build and distribute their own fully branded Android application directly on the device. This gives complete control over UX, branding, and workflow with no compromise.

• Custom apps securely signed and distributed via the Ingenico Web Signing Portal
• Remote app management across the entire device estate via Ingenico Estate Manager
• Full custom Android app support, partners own the merchant experience end to end

Availability: UK - Now | US - Coming Soon

Choosing the Right Mode

Use these questions to identify the right mode for your merchant:

1. Does your merchant have existing POS software they want to keep? → Semi-Integrated (Mode 1)
2. Have you already built on NMI's Android SDK? → Android All-in-One (Mode 2) is a low-lift upgrade
3. Is a fully branded UX on the device critical to your merchant's experience? → Android All-in-One (Mode 2)
4. Does your merchant need payments to keep working if the internet goes down? → Both modes support offline operation

Core Technical Capabilities

Offline-First Architecture - Transaction logic runs on the device, not in the cloud. When connectivity drops:

• Payments are accepted, encrypted, and stored on the device
• Configurable deferred authorization thresholds apply (by amount, transaction count, or customer type)
• Transactions sync automatically when connectivity is restored, no manual intervention required

This is a core architecture feature, not a fallback mode.

PCI P2PE Security - Point-to-Point Encryption is built into the hardware. This means:

• Cardholder data is encrypted at the point of swipe, dip, or tap, before it can be intercepted
• The merchant's PCI DSS compliance scope is materially reduced
• P2PE is not an add-on; it requires no additional configuration or cost
• PCI PTS v6 certified on all models, certification valid until 2032

Remote Device Management via Ingenico Estate Manager - Partners manage their entire device fleet through Ingenico Estate Manager without integration effort:

• Push configurations and MDM (Mobile Device Management) profiles remotely
• View device diagnostics without on-site visits
• Schedule app and system updates around merchant business hours to avoid disruption
• No development effort required from partners to activate or push updates

Transaction Performance

• Target transaction speed: card presentation to result in 20 seconds or below
• Remotely updateable via Ingenico Estate Manager, no integration effort required
• All payment types supported: EMV chip, magnetic stripe, contactless, mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
• Card schemes: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB, UnionPay
• Additional: PIN debit, US Common AID, credit and debit

Supported Platforms and Processors

United Kingdom

United States

US availability is coming soon. 

For the full and current list of processor certifications, refer to www.nmi.com.

Ideal Merchant Profile

Axium SmartPOS is the best fit for merchants who:

• Operate a physical location (retail, restaurant, hospitality, healthcare, or field service) with regular card-present volume
• Are currently on a countertop terminal attached to a separate host device, or on a legacy non-touch device
• Want a modern touchscreen checkout without building a complex POS environment from day one
• Operate in environments where connectivity can be unreliable
• Want to add loyalty, gift cards, or other capabilities without purchasing new hardware
• Run multiple locations or expect to scale, where remote device management and consistent configuration matter

Onboarding Paths

There are two onboarding paths. The correct path depends on what the partner wants to do with the device.

Path 1 - Estate Manager Access (Required for Fleet Management)

Required for any partner who needs to manage a fleet of Axium SmartPOS devices, push configs, view diagnostics, or create MDM profiles.

1. Purchase Axium SmartPOS devices from an approved distributor (UK: UCP or Smart Payment Technologies)
2. Contact NMI Support to request Estate Manager access
3. NMI provisions access, partner can now manage their device estate

Path 2 - Web Signing Portal Access (Required for Custom App Development)

Required for partners who want to build and distribute their own Android applications on Axium SmartPOS. This path requires Path 1 to be completed first.

1. Complete Estate Manager onboarding (Path 1)
2. Contact NMI Support, the request is escalated to the NMI Device Team for Web Signing Portal access
3. Partner can now securely sign and distribute their own apps across their device fleet

What Ships With the Device: Each device ships with a power cable, plug, user guide, and an adaptable touchscreen add-on for accessibility.

Troubleshooting Guide

Note: For issues related to processor certification or platform availability, always verify the current certification list at www.nmi.com before escalating.

Integration Documentation

For technical integration work, the full developer reference is available at docs.nmi.com/docs/smart-pos-ingenico-axium.

Partners building on or supporting Axium SmartPOS integrations can find the following in the docs:

• SDK download - the latest NMI Payment Device SDK for Android 
• Supported devices - confirmed device list covering RX5000, EX6000, EX8000, DX4000, and DX8000
• Unboxing and device setup - step-by-step physical setup, power-on instructions, and WiFi/Bluetooth pairing walkthrough for each model
• Platform-specific requirements - Gradle setup, SDK flavours selection (Lite vs Full), and Android version dependencies
• SDK configuration - how to initialize the SDK with the SmartPOS flag, configure API keys, and set connection parameters
• Transaction flow - required and supported transaction parameters, parameters that are unavailable on SmartPOS, and new SmartPOS-specific parameters such as TransactionAuthPreference and OfflineTransactionUploadMode
• Offline transaction queue - how offline transactions are queued, uploaded, and how to configure automatic vs manual upload modes
• Device disconnection handling - how the SDK behaves during a Bluetooth or TCP/IP disconnection mid-transaction, and how to retrieve the final transaction outcome after reconnection
• OTA updates - how over-the-air application updates are delivered via the NMI Device Agent, and how to trigger updates programmatically
• All-in-One development - setup for development, Hosted Estate Manager (HEM) overview, partner onboarding with a Partner Code, managing devices and estates, software library and campaigns, MDM profiles, user management, and application signing
• Appendix 1 - full table of supported API methods for SmartPOS integrations
• Appendix 2 - list of features not supported on Axium SmartPOS

Common Questions

Q: Can partners run third-party apps on the device? Yes. The Android OS allows partners to download and manage third-party apps, enhancements, and productivity tools. In Android All-in-One mode, partners can build and run their own fully branded applications. Apps must be signed through the Ingenico Web Signing Portal.

Q: What happens if the merchant's internet goes down mid-day? Payments continue without interruption. Transaction logic runs on the device. Payments are accepted, encrypted, and stored locally, then synced automatically when connectivity is restored. No action is required from the merchant.

Q: Do merchants need to be involved in device updates? No. Updates are pushed remotely via Ingenico Estate Manager and can be scheduled around the merchant's business hours to avoid disruption.

Q: Can the RX5000 be used for self-checkout? Yes. The RX5000 is designed for both staffed checkout and semi-attended applications including self-checkout kiosks. It supports face-mounting on kiosk and self-checkout units and can be pole-mounted using the Ingenico Universal Payment Mount.

Q: What is the difference between the EX6000 and EX8000? Both are mobile terminals with the same core architecture. The EX8000 has a larger 6" display (vs 5"), a higher-capacity battery (4040mAh vs 2930mAh), and supports dual-band WiFi (2.4GHz and 5GHz). The EX6000 supports 2.4GHz WiFi only.

Q: Is P2PE available on all three models? Yes. PCI P2PE is built into all Axium SmartPOS hardware and is active by default. It is not an add-on.

Q: How does pricing work for the Axium SmartPOS? Axium SmartPOS is billed per device, per month. The recommended Encrypted Devices fee is $5 per device, per month, set independently of other device fees.

Need Help?

For additional support, please contact our Support team by Submitting a Ticket.