1. Stock control
EPOS
Just in time

2. EPOS Electronic Point of Sale P No 68, Q 7 (a) Hardware Software
Touch screen where items to be billed can be chosen
Barcode reader to read product ID number
Keyboard to input Product ID if barcode cannot be read
Software
Bar code reading software to convert barcodes into product ID
Database to update stock quantity

3. How EPOS works (P No 68, 7(B)
When an item is scanned, product ID of the item would be looked up in the database.
If found product details would be returned to the screen.
If not found, error message would be displayed.
If sold, number products sold would be deducted from number in stock.
When re-order level is reached for an item, more stock for the item would be ordered automatically.
When new stock arrives, number in stock for the item would be updated.

4. Database of EPOS P No 69, Q 1 (a) Barcode number – unique – key field
Details of the product such as description, price, etc.
Number in stock
Re-order level - When number in stock reaches this, the product needs to be re-ordered.
Re-order quantity – the number of the product to be re-ordered.

5. Benefits of EPOS
For controlling the stock P No 70, Q no 1 b. Textbook, P No 95 Other benefits P No 71, Q no 1 c.

6. ‘Just in time’ system P No 67, Q No 5 a.
Order placed as goods are running out of stock
Goods arrive at distribution point as required
Goods arrive in time to be used immediately

7. Benefits P No 67, Q No 5 b. Lower warehouse costs
Lower costs in warehouse would result in lower cost on products which will be more affordable to customers, thus sales would be increased.
Less waste/overstocking of items
Company can respond to customer demand as items that sell well will always be in stock and items that do not sell well are not overstocked.

8. Drawbacks
P No 67, Q No 5 b.
Goods not delivered to the shop exactly on time/in the correct amounts could adversely affect the sales in shops
Shop has to anticipate projected sales so orders can be placed in time for delivery