Introduction to Computerized Point-of-sale (POS)

Workforce Training

W. Mike Tyler

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Introduction to Computerized POS Definition of POS History of POS Types of POS Benefits of POS Is a POS System for you? Components of a POS

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Definition of POS

Point Of Sale. The physical location at which goods are sold to customers

Point Of Sale. The physical location of a transaction but usually refers to any device or system used to record the transaction for the retailer.

CPOS: A computer-based POS which employs software to implement the POS functionality

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History of POS

1981 First Restaurant POS 1979 A POS scanning system was developed. 1971 The first electronic cash register (NCR). 1970 The first POS terminal (NCR). 1884 NCR founded in the U.S. 1878 The cash register was invented by James Ritty.

Computerized POS development is tied to development of computers.

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POS System Cash Register

Inventory Control Yes No

Invoicing and Receiving Yes No

Interfacing with Accounting Yes No

Reports Yes Z-Out

Enforced accuracy Yes No

Integrated CC handling Yes Limited

General Ledger Yes No

Accounts Payable Yes No

Accounts Receivable Yes No

Preferred by tax consultants Yes No

Benefits of POS

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Your accounting tools

Accounting

Software program

Pencil and

ledger book

Your Computer Literacy

Home computer, Email user,

Shop online Installed software

Don’t use one,

Bill Gates?

Business discipline Aspire to do it the right way.

A maverick, free thinker, hate rules

How big is your business?

Use tax consultant Do your own taxes.

Inventory? Yes No

Is a POS system for you?

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POS Components

Hardware Computer Hardware POS Hardware Communications Hardware

Software Computer Software POS Software Communications Software Accounting Software

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POS: Computer Hardware

Basic Personal Computer Computer Monitor Keyboard Mouse CDROM –R/W MODEM / LAN-DSL Backup Device UPS

Integrated POS System

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POS: Computer Hardware

Mainframe & terminals

Desktop Computers & Servers

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POS: Computer Software

Operating System DOS - Relic software but stable Windows 98 - Legacy / reliable? WindowsXP - Stability / Current MAC - Minority player UNIX - Minority player Linux - Minority - growing

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POS Software:

POS software gives the POS system its POS functionality. User Interface Inventory Reports Invoicing Receivables Accounts Payable Credit Card Payments More ...........

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POS Communications Hardware Modem DSL Modem LAN hardware (Ethernet) Wiring / Wireless

Modern PC’s have built-in LAN H/W

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POS: Communications Software Networking (Included with modern O/S’s) An issue when dealing with non-Windows or

legacy (DOS) solutions

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POS: Accounting Software Windows-based POS Accounting Software

ACCPAC Advantage Discovery Series  BusinessVision 32    BusinessWorks Gold ePeachtree MYOB Plus for Windows (MYOB Software)  Oracle Small Business Suite One-Write Plus Peachtree Complete Accounting QuickBooks Online QuickBooks Pro Simply Accounting Small Business Manager

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POS Hardware Display / Touch screen Cash Drawer Receipt Printer Bar code scanner (fixed, attached, portable) Label / Report printer Mag stripe reader POS Keyboard Check reader / printer Scales PDA Pole Display Signature Pads More...

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POS Display

Consider Flat Panel

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POS: Cash Drawer

Two types of Drawers Receipt Printer I/F Computer I/F

Removable trays Media slots Key locks

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POS: Receipt Printer

Three Types Dot Matrix Thermal InkJet

B/W Limited Color

Separate unit Integrated with other device

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POS: Barcode scanner

LED CCD Laser

Fixed Attached Portable

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POS: Typical Configuration

Connect cable between cash drawer and receipt printer. Note that ends are NOT the same.

Connect printer interface cable to LPT1

Mag stripe reader

Plug keyboard into ‘Y’ cable. Plug other connector into keyboard port on computer

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POS: Barcode Scanners

Cost

Ease of use

LASER

CCD

LED

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POS: Label / Report Printer

Two Choices Dedicated label printer Standard computer printer w/Label software

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POS: Label / Report Printer

Label Printer PC Printer

Label Speed Fast Slow

Label Volume High Low volume

Quality Very good Dot matrix No

Inkjet Poor

Laser Good

Reports Limited Very good

Cost $500+ $100+

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POS: Mag Stripe Reader

Replaces the Retail Terminal Uses software to perform functions Usually connects to keyboard and barcode scanner

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POS: Mag Stripe Reader

Track 1 Track 2 Track 3Normally encodes the cardholder’s name, card number and card expire date.

Also contains the cardholder’s card number and expire date. This provides data redundancy on the card.

Normally not used

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POS: keyboard

A POS keyboard more closely resembles a cash register key layout and usually has programmable keys. Some have integrated card swipes.

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POS: Portable Data Assistant (PDA)Portable data collection Inventory Audits Remote data entry Restaurants and lounges Lumber yards Remote inventory

Wireless Docking station Cable connected

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POS: Scales

Serial Port I/F to your PC POS Calculates total Desktop units / Built-in units

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POS: Check Reader / Printer

Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) Requires POS Software support Requires bank / online authorization service

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POS: Slip Printer

Ideal for printing ‘Company branded” slips and forms.

Record keeping Warranty info, layaway

receipts Restaurants, Gas stations,

Retail stores Combo receipt / slip printers

available

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POS: Pole Display

Item and price information Customer comfort Display Advertising Serial Port I/F (RS-232)

Characters per line / number of lines LED, Plasma Character sets (Chinese?)

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POS: Signature Pads

Electronic receipt storage Simultaneous on-screen signature verification Some have integrated credit card swipe Eliminates chargebacks from lost receipts

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POS: Other Peripherals

Kitchen displays GPS terminals (Delivery vans, golf carts..) RFID tracking devices Badge scanners Movie ticket printers

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POS: Summary

POS functionality defined by the Software Wide variety of POS products defined by the

business’s needs POS is about the process, not the hardware

and software A good POS will change the way you run

your business