What is needed (hardware, software) to make a Point Of Sale Station?
Can I buy parts separately or do I have to buy it assembled already?

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Request for Question Clarification by alienintelligence-ga on 15 Sep 2002 00:33 PDT

Hi Mak...

It might be alot easier if you tell us your
expectations for a Point of Sale system.

As you probably already know.. a POS system
correlates sales to inventory manipulation. 
This method creates a nice database of sales 
info and allows the store owner to know when to
order, etc. Many other features are available
to a POS system, such as time clock for your
employees, full accounting packages, etc.

So, if you wouldn't mind telling us the venue
you had in mind for the POS system and what
your final expectations are for it. With this
clarification we should be able to answer with
the info you need to know.

POS systems come both ways... Assembled packages
or parts that are purchased individually. The
difference in TCO and ROI (total cost of ownership
and return on investment) is usually determined
by the level of usage and support desired.

thanks
-AI

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Clarification of Question by _mak_-ga on 15 Sep 2002 10:43 PDT

Hi AI

    In regards to the POS software, I have that. My question was more
about a POS cash register system. Is there a way to assemble my own
(buying these parts separately printer, cash drawer, barcode scanner,
computer etc.) or do I need to purchase an assembled cash register
system package from a company? Thanks for your help…


-Mak

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Clarification of Question by _mak_-ga on 15 Sep 2002 19:29 PDT

Thanks for your help guys... I don't have the documentation for the
POS software but I understand that it supports barcode
scanning/printing, receipt printing, cash drawer, and the pole. I got
this software from a friend that's on vacation in Japan and won't come
back for a while, so I cant ask him much. Thanks for helping me...


-Mak

You may find the following URL helpful as an illustration of the sorts
of things available. I have no connection with or experience of the
company.

http://www.allthingspos.com/

Owain

it depends on the software. all POS components (receipt printer, cash
drawer, scanner, monitor, card swipe, keyboard, etc) can be purchased
separately (and relatively inexpensively on Ebay). since most have
standard interfaces (RS232, USB, etc), they can then be assembled into
a system. however, in order for the system to work the software has to
be able to communicate with the different components. so if you have
software, you should check the documentation to see what hardware it
supports.

i've been building a POS from scratch including the software because
none of the commercial packages were able to provide a satisfactory
data interface for me.

i'll be happy to share more of my findings with you. just post a
follow-up comment, so i know you're still there.

-steve

Thanks for your help guys... I don't have the documentation for the
POS software but I understand that it supports barcode
scanning/printing, receipt printing, cash drawer, and the pole. I got
this software from a friend that's on vacation in Japan and won't come
back for a while, so I cant ask him much. Thanks for helping me...
 
 
-Mak

Hi Mak,

You may also want to take a look at QuickBooks POS package. 
http://quickbooks.com/products/pointofsale/

That will let you do more than just track Point of Sale information.
It will give you an entire accounting and bill paying system, as well
as a customer contact database. The only thing you might need to add
is a bar code reader, and such.

In fact, here are the bar code readers, cash drawers, Credit Card
Swiper etc. that you can use with it 
http://quickbooks.com/products/pointofsale/hardware.html

Perhaps this hardware works with your software, too?

Your TaxMama-ga

You can build your own computer from scratch with parts from most any
computer company... check out www.infotech-now.com

For Software, check out www.paulsonsoft.com

For Cash Drawers check out Indiana Cash Drawers
For Laser Scanners Check out PSC Handheld Scanners

POS stations are easy to do, and not at all uncommon. Almost free POS
station = 1 old computer, one open-source OS, gcc + ncurses + postgres
+ barcode scanner = POS station.