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 POS System Cash Register Yes No Z-Out Limited
Inventory Control
Yes No
Invoicing and Receiving
Interfacing with Accounting
Reports
Z-Out
Enforced accuracy
Integrated CC handling
Limited
General Ledger
Accounts Payable
Accounts Receivable
Preferred by tax consultants

6. Is a POS system for you? Your accounting tools Accounting
Software program
Pencil and
ledger book
Your Computer Literacy
Home computer, 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

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

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

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

10. POS: Computer Software
Operating System
DOS - Relic software but stable
Windows 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. 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

21. POS: Barcode Scanners
Cost
Ease of use
LASER
CCD
LED

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

23. 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
Cost
$500+
$100+

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 Track 1 Track 2 Track 3
Normally 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

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