Re: DIY Point of Sale Solutions ???

frank.meaney@Nellcorpb.com wrote:

>      Hi Folks,
>
>      Can anyone reccomend a low cost method of connecting as AS/400
>      Terminal or an Ethernet Attached P.C. to the following equipment
>
>      1. A Cash Drawer
>      2. A small Printer for Recipts
>      3. A swipe for Credit Cards Authorisation.
>
>      I am looking into the IBM POS terminals but I am open to looking at
>      all possible alternatives. It may be possible to get a cash drawer
>      combined with a printer, and a swipe built into a keyboard.
>
>      I am looking for solutions and sources for all the above equipment so
>      any bit of help is appreciated as always.
>

The last time we looked into this we were able to find locking cash drawers 
($300
US)  that would connect to a PC running Cash Register software and thermal
printers for receipts. (Didn't get so far as card readers)

The IBM registers looked expensive (at first glance) so we started hunting.  
What
we discovered was that any hardware savings were more then ate up by software
development.  Especially in translating register activity to Inventory 
Management
and Sales Analysis, not to mention updating the registers with SKU pricing
information and on ongoing management of synchronizing information.

IMHO, a "complete" solution, at any reasonable cost, beats a "grow your own" 
....
I know it's boring to just get the job done, when the real fun is in solving the
problem. But...mileage does vary depending upon scale of project....

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