POS SOFTWARE GUIDE

Point of sale software typically has three core components, an inventory database, a sales interface and report facilities. It will also be able to be configured for standard EPOS hardware. Increasingly, it may have web site facilities.
The Bibase 4-Shop software has a databases for inventory, customers and suppliers with a secure sales interface for staff.

EPOS Hardware

In the simplest case the POS is just used to keep track of inventory and sales with invoices printed from a standard printer.
A business may or may not require that inventory levels are monitored, typically a configuration option will allow the levels to be ignored.
Security is the other essential, with user logon and transaction tracking. 4-Shop and 4POS give every transaction a unique identifier and all operators must log on with a password.
The most common hardware additions utilized are receipt printers and cash drawers.

Receipt printer

The receipt printer is normally just installed under Windows and then selected within the POS. Perhaps the most common is the Epson TM 88 series. Popular others include Star Micronics, Citizen and Samsung.
The differences found within budget sector models are narrower paper and the omission of an autocutter.
A receipt printer is not recommended as a second user purchase as they often see intensive use (unless the price is so attractive there is little downside!).

Cash drawer

The cash drawer is a straightforward item and it is recommended that a generic is purchased as brand name versions are frequently identical and relatively expensive.
There are two main types. The most common is daisy chain connected from the receipt printer via a telephone style RJ11 plug. The other is directly connected to the computer serial (COM) port with a nine pin connector.
It is suggested that if a daisy chain type is to be used that confirmation is obtained that it will work with any existing receipt printer. 4-Shop and 4POS will operate both types.

Pole display

The customer display is a less common peripheral than receipt printers and cash drawers. Typically it connects direct to a computer serial port. In almost all cases it has a two line display each of twenty characters. It can often be purchased at a considerable discount second user.

Multiple terminals

The server client design of the 4POS SC increases both speed and reliability over older applications which feature all installations manually manipulating files on a remote computer.

Inventory Data

The entry or import of inventory can be a long process. The most common option offered is to import from a CSV (comma separated text) file. It may be viewed in a wordprocessor, the format is:
1,Item description,2.00
2,Another item,4.00
Both Microsoft Access and Excel will 'Save as' CSV. The file may then be viewed in a word processor. The import option on the Utilities menu.

Typical deployments

It is often necessary with several store locations to check stock from a head office. The most economic solution is to use a web site to host a live inventory search page from each. The 4Web utility bundled with 4POS SC enables that facility with a very straightforward setup with no web server side configuration.

Common terminology

SKU .. Stock keeping unit
EFT .. Electronic funds transfer
UPC .. Type of barcode (commonly seen in supermarkets)
DIP .. Type of small switch (typically recessed on a receipt printer)

Further information

Additional hardware setup notes may be found here