As you may have heard or experienced first hand, Amazon Web Services (AWS) – the cloud platform that powers thousands of software systems around the world – experienced a major outage on October 20, 2025. This outage disrupted critical services for businesses of all sizes, from mom and pop boutique shops to corporate giants like Publix. Many restaurants and retailers using cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) systems reported a range of symptoms from delayed transactions to complete system failures, according to TechTarget.
While thousands of companies using cloud-based POS systems were affected, businesses using EdgeServ’s in-house, server-based POS system remained fully operational with no loss of revenue. This eye-opening event highlighted a reality that is often overlooked: where your point of sale system lives matters.
What Happened During the AWS Outage?
AWS is one of the biggest, most popular cloud hosting providers in the world used by companies for running applications and processing data. During the widespread technical issues in one of its main U.S. regions, systems that depended on it failed to operate normally, if they were operational at all.
Cloud-based POS systems require constant connectivity to remote servers for user authentication, processing transactions, or accessing menu and pricing data. During the AWS interruption, those systems also experienced interruptions in these essential functions, resulting in delays and missed transactions.
Why EdgeServ Never Went Down
Most modern POS systems operate entirely in the cloud. However, EdgeServ is built on a hybrid model with a local on-site server. That means it keeps your system running without relying on remote servers or even internet.
Key Advantages of EdgeServ’s Local Server Architecture
No Dependence on Remote Servers: Transactions are processed at your location, not sent to remote data servers.
Full Operation During Outages: Even during national or cloud outages, EdgeServ users continue taking orders and payments without interruption.
Instant Processing with No Delays: No lag. No syncing issues. No loss of connectivity. The systems remains fully in control of the business owner, not a third-party cloud provider.
EdgeServ users continued business as usual while cloud-based POS systems experienced issues during the outage. From the first ticket to the last, every dollar was captured.
Cloud POS vs. EdgeServ In-House POS: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | Cloud-Based POS | EdgeServ POS |
| Works without internet | No | Yes |
| Independent local server | No | Yes |
| Outage Vulnerability | High | Extremely low |
| Downtime revenue risk | Yes | No |
| Ideal for busy businesses | Only with backup solutions | Yes – built for high volume |
What This Means for Your Business
Relying on technology to run your business (like every modern business does) means you must consider continuity and control. Even the biggest tech companies we rely on are not immune to disruptions, as this recent AWS outage has reminded us. InfoQ states that with cloud-based systems, if your POS goes down, your ability to accept payments, serve guests efficiently, and maintain trust goes down with it.
With EdgeServ, your point of sale is not at the mercy of the cloud.
Benefits of EdgeServ’s On-Site Server Model:
- Guaranteed uptime, even during national outages
- Protection from lost revenue
- Faster processing and response times
- Greater control over your own system
- Peace of mind knowing your business won’t shut down due to an external failure
The Bottom Line
Technology should empower your business, not put it at risk.
While the AWS outage disrupted major cloud-based POS platforms, EdgeServ remained fully operational without a single transaction missed. That level of reliability is no accident. It’s due to the intentional design that is built to protect restaurants and retailers from the unpredictable nature of cloud and internet failures.
If continuous uptime, local control, and revenue protection matter to you – EdgeServ is built for your business.
Want to see how EdgeServ can safeguard your operations from the next outage? Let’s talk. Give us a call at (239) 549-5055 or book a free demo.
