POS

[Peter]

Does anybody have experience on POS (Point of Sales) using Access with a cash
register? What is the performance? And how does Access work?

 

[Jeff Conrad]

Using a POS system with Access? I have lots of experience.
Programming POS system with Access? I have not done this to the degree you may be thinking.

We use a program called Micro$ale ( http://www.microsale-pos.com/ ) for our restaurant inside the
Redmond, Oregon airport ( http://www.flyrdm.com/ ). All data is written to Access (Jet) data tables.
We have been using it for just about four years now. I'm sure we are several versions behind their
current software version, but everything has worked very nicely the entire time. Their current
software may be even quicker now. We have had hardware problems during that time and have had to
upgrade the terminals.

Our first terminals were 98 machines with about 2 GB HD and 433 MHZ (I think). Things ran pretty
smoothly and quickly. One terminal serves as the "server" where all the information is written.
About 7 months ago we upgraded the new server to a lightning fast Win 2000 system. Now the system
just FLIES along!

How does it all work? Well the program (not sure what program language it was created in) simply
writes all the information to various data tables. Some of the tables are synced together when
running reports. Some tables remain the same throughout the server and in other cases new tables are
created. For instance, a completely new data table is created to hold the payroll information for
each week.

Not sure this helps much, but thought I'd put my $.02 in.

 

[Peter]

Thanks and the information is help. At least I know Access is a possible
database (tools). Our business is a supply chain business, not a resturant
business. I believe the concept is the same.

What kind of terminal are you using? Does it come with the package? Is it
a touch screen terminal with bar code scanner? BTW, I think you are a end
user, am I right?

 

[Jeff Conrad]

Hi Peter, comments below.

Thanks and the information is help. At least I know Access is a possible
database (tools).

Yes, it certainly is possible as long as you know what you are doing. Access does not need to serve
as the front-end for the application, you can simply just use Access (Jet really) tables to hold the
information.

Our business is a supply chain business, not a restaurant
business. I believe the concept is the same.

Yep, very similar I'm sure.
Too bad you're not a restaurant, I would have just the application for you.
;-)

What kind of terminal are you using?

I cannot remember what our first terminals were unfortunately. They were all-in-one machines with
the touch screen monitor
and hard drive all integrated together. I like to call these the "all-fail-at-once" machines! If one
thing is wrong then the whole thing is down! Our initial hardware was pretty much junk (speaking
from hindsight).

We have one machine which is an older PAR terminal (not original equipment). We will eventually
replace this, but for now it is fine (but slow). Our server terminal is basically just a regular
desktop tower with Win 2000. Attached to it is a really nice touch screen monitor. I'm not sure what
brand it is, but I will find out Monday when I'm there and post back with the specific information
for you. It is a sweet system! Our older terminal monitors were hard to read in certain light, but
this new one is really sharp and clear.

Does it come with the package? Is it a touch screen terminal with bar code scanner?

As mentioned, the first terminals were all-in-one machines. Our latest server terminal is just a
basic tower box with a nice touch screen monitor. We do not use bar code scanners for
inventory/order entry so I cannot give any information on those. We purchased this latest terminal
from a local company right here in Bend called Sasse Systems:

http://www.sassepos.com/home.htm

These guys are GREAT and have gone out of their way to help us with hardware issues. I would
recommend them to anyone. Our Micro$ale software and initial hardware was purchased through a
distributor four years ago.

BTW, I think you are an end user, am I right?

Correct. I'm not affiliated with Micro$ale or Sasse Systems, just a happy customer (especially
Sasse). I do not sell POS systems if that's what you are thinking.

 

[Jeff Conrad]

Hi Peter,

Our Touch Screen monitor is a TM-1000 Series.
You can see some screen shots here:

http://www.crs-usa.com/tm-1k2k.asp
http://www.crs-usa.com/images/pdf/man-tm.pdf

(That is not the place we purchased our machine)

Hope that helps,