Introduction to Computerized Point-of-sale (POS)

1. Introduction to Computerized Point-of-sale (POS) Workforce Training W. Mike Tyler

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. Benefits of POS

6. Is a POS system for you?

7. POS Components • Hardware • Computer Hardware • POS Hardware • Communications Hardware • Software • Computer Software • POS Software • Communications Software • Accounting Software

8. Basic Personal Computer Computer Monitor Keyboard Mouse CDROM –R/W MODEM / LAN-DSL Backup Device UPS Integrated POS System POS: Computer Hardware

9. POS: Computer Hardware Mainframe & terminals Desktop Computers & Servers

10. 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

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

12. POS Communications Hardware • Modem • DSL Modem • LAN hardware (Ethernet) • Wiring / Wireless • Modern PC’s have built-in LAN H/W

13. POS: Communications Software • Networking (Included with modern O/S’s) • An issue when dealing with non-Windows or legacy (DOS) solutions

14. 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

15. 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...

16. POS Display • Consider Flat Panel

17. POS: Cash Drawer Two types of Drawers • Receipt Printer I/F • Computer I/F • Removable trays • Media slots • Key locks

18. POS: Receipt Printer Three Types • Dot Matrix • Thermal • InkJet • B/W • Limited Color • Separate unit • Integrated with other device

19. POS: Barcode scanner • LED • CCD • Laser • Fixed • Attached • Portable

20. Connect cable between cash drawer and receipt printer. Note that ends are NOT the same. Plug keyboard into ‘Y’ cable. Plug other connector into keyboard port on computer Connect printer interface cable to LPT1 Mag stripe reader POS: Typical Configuration

21. POS: Barcode Scanners

22. POS: Label / Report Printer Two Choices • Dedicated label printer • Standard computer printer w/Label software

23. POS: Label / Report Printer

24. POS: Mag Stripe Reader • Replaces the Retail Terminal • Uses software to perform functions • Usually connects to keyboard and barcode scanner

25. POS: Mag Stripe Reader

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

27. 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

28. POS: Scales • Serial Port I/F to your PC • POS Calculates total • Desktop units / Built-in units

29. POS: Check Reader / Printer • Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) • Requires POS Software support • Requires bank / online authorization service

30. 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

31. 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?)

32. POS: Signature Pads • Electronic receipt storage • Simultaneous on-screen signature verification • Some have integrated credit card swipe • Eliminates chargebacks from lost receipts

33. POS: Other Peripherals • Kitchen displays • GPS terminals (Delivery vans, golf carts..) • RFID tracking devices • Badge scanners • Movie ticket printers

34. 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