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Restaurant POS Hardware Secrets Revealed

The specialized computer hardware for point of sale systems is not as mysterious as you may think! The vast majority of point of sale hardware is standardized to work with current computers. Assembling a complete point of sale computer system is as easy as choosing what you want and plugging it in! Major POS software suppliers support current hardware, so you can easily switch software without the worry of hardware compatibility.

Should I choose a local Point of Success dealer, another supplier or purchase hardware through an Internet store?

One of the benefits of choosing Point of Success is the ability to use current POS hardware or to purchase a new system of your choice. We do not supply hardware, so you can use a local system vendor or Internet store for these components. Selecting a local Point of Success dealer is an even better idea! Point of Success dealers can handle all the hardware while ensuring compatibility with Point of Success.

Using a local computer and network vendor gives you these advantages:

• Select the system of your choice, including retaining an existing compatible system
• Local support for computers and network components
• Huge cost savings!

Notice on Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System

Point of Success version 2.54 and above is fully supported on Vista 32 bit systems. Point of Success is fully Vista compatible but other compatibility issues may exist in your system. Check the driver software for all your POS peripherals, including printers, touch screens, and pole displays for Vista compatibility before purchasing a new computer with Vista installed or upgrading an existing computer to Vista.

64 bit Vista systems are not recommended because very few POS peripheral drivers are available for this environment.

Notice on Microsoft Windows 7 Operating System

Point of Success version 2.6 and above is fully supported on Windows 7. Point of Success is fully Windows 7 compatible but other compatibility issues may exist in your system. Check the driver software for all your POS peripherals, including printers, touch screens, and pole displays for Windows 7 compatibility before purchasing a new computer with Windows 7 installed or upgrading an existing computer to Windows 7.

64 bit Windows 7 systems are not recommended because very few POS peripheral drivers are available for this environment.

System Requirements and Hardware Recommendations

Point of Success uses common, inexpensive computer hardware and networking components. Any compatible system may be used if it meets these requirements:

Receipt Printers

Although Point of Success supports any type of POS receipt printer that uses a Windows printer driver, we recommend selection of one of the following printers to simplify set up of your system:

• Epson TM-T88III
• Epson TM-T88IV
• Epson TM-U220
• Epson TM-U230
• Star TSP100
• Star SP200 (Discontinued by manufacturer)
• Star SP500
• Star TSP600
• Star TSP650
• Star SP700
• SNBC BTP-2002NP
• Samsung Bixolon SRP-275
• Samsung Bixolon SRP-500
• Ithaca POSJet 1000 (Also known as KITCHENjet 1000)
• Ithaca iTherm 280
• Citizen IDP3551
• Any Windows-compatible plain paper full page printer. Your report printer can serve as a backup in the event a receipt printer stops working.

Customer receipt printers must be the same make and model on all workstations because only one customer receipt printing template is available for use on all customer receipt printers. Other POS printers in the system, like prep or delivery dispatch printers, can be a different make and/or model.

Cash Drawers

Point of Success works with any make or model of printer-connected cash drawer. Purchase a cash drawer designed to work with your POS printer. Depending upon the printer selected, one or two cash drawers may be used for each printer. See the Point of Success Knowledge Base and search for two cash drawers for more information.

Cash drawers connected directly to a computer with serial, parallel or USB ports are not supported.

Box Label Printers

• Cognitive Advantage DLX (new model, replaces Blaster)
• Star TSP-800 (Direct thermal, this printer may be promoted as a receipt printer. It  works very well with the 1" high by 4" wide labels, Star part number 37995120, designed for the printer.)
• Zebra LP-2844 (Direct thermal, 1" high by 4" wide label stock)
• Zebra TLP-2844 (Thermal transfer, 1" high by 4" wide label stock)

Fingerprint Sensors

Fingerprint sensors supported with Point of Success include these models:

• Digital Persona U.are.U 4500 (Requires Digital Persona Platinum Integrator software available from Point of Success and authorized dealers at no additional charge)
• Digital Persona U.are.U 4000B (Platinum Integrator version). Note: As of May 2009 this model has been discontinued by Digital Persona.
• 64 bit versions of Windows are not supported

Bump Bars

The Point of Success kitchen monitor feature supports the following bump bar hardware:

• Logic Controls KB1700 (IBM bump bar compatible legend sheet)

A complete computer is required to use the kitchen monitor feature. Orders may be bumped from the kitchen monitor using a keyboard, mouse, touch screen or bump bar.

Pole Displays/Customer Displays

Point of Success supports pole displays/customer displays:

• Epson and compatible two line displays
• Partner Tech CD7220
• Display must offer a serial port connection

Magnetic Stripe Readers

Point of Success supports magnetic stripe readers for credit card processing and login with an employee card. The magnetic stripe reader (MSR) must be of the keyboard emulation type. HID (Human Interface Device) or OPOS type magnetic stripe readers will not work with Point of Success.

Delivery Mapping

Point of Success works with the following Microsoft mapping software to produce maps, most efficient routing and driving directions:

• Microsoft Streets & Trips 2005
• Microsoft Streets & Trips 2006
• Microsoft Streets & Trips 2007
• Microsoft Streets & Trips 2008
• Microsoft Streets & Trips 2009
• Microsoft Streets & Trips 2010
• Microsoft MapPoint 2004

Kitchen Monitor

The Point of Success Kitchen Monitor feature is part of the Order Entry program. No proprietary kitchen display hardware is required; this feature runs on a standard networked computer just as the Order Entry and Office Manager programs in Point of Success.

CentralPoint Central Office Reporting Email Requirements

CentralPoint Headquarters requires a standard POP3 email account to receive data transferred from Remote modules. Webmail is not supported for receiving financial or customer data transferred from Remote modules.

CentralPoint Remote requires access to a standard SMTP outbound email server for sending data to the Headquarters module and for emailing scheduled reports. Webmail is not supported for sending data or reports from the Remote module.

Receiving Emailed Reports - The CentralPoint Remote module can produce Point of Success reports and email them to any email address. These reports can be received and viewed with any email account, including webmail accounts. The receiving device must be able to view .pdf files to access the information.

Online Ordering

Point of Success Online Ordering is designed for use with BigHoller online ordering service. More information is available at http://www.bigholler.com. Restaurants must establish and maintain an account with BigHoller to receive online orders.

To receive orders transmitted by BigHoller a restaurant must have an always-on Internet connection with a publicly addressable static IP address. Most business-class Internet providers offer static IP addresses.

The restaurant's network must have a router capable of port forwarding. This is a very common feature. Port forwarding allows the order sent by BigHoller to make its way to the computer running the Order Monitor software.

A Discussion About Ports

A port is used to connect computers to peripheral (accessory) devices. It is very important to determine the POS peripherals that will be connected to each computer so you can plan your use of its ports. Here are the ports that you need to be aware of for your point of sale system:

A parallel port (also called a printer port) is used for connecting a printer to a computer. Parallel ports will normally have a picture of a printer next to it on the back of the computer. Parallel ports have a design limitation that requires a cable of no more than 9 to 12 feet. Use a parallel port to connect a printer to a computer that will sit beside the computer. Parallel printers are not normally appropriate for use as a remote printer in the kitchen.

A serial port (also called an RS-232 port) is used for several types of devices. Touch screens commonly have a serial connector to communicate screen touches to the computer. POS printers are available with serial connectors. Customer displays (also called pole displays) normally use serial ports. The Point of Success Caller ID box requires a serial port. Computers commonly come with only one serial port, so plan your use of serial devices carefully. A serial cable can be up to 150 feet in length when it is constructed with high-quality cable, making a serial printer appropriate for use as a remote kitchen printer.

A USB port (Universal Serial Bus) can be used for printers, touch screens, and any other type of peripheral that incorporates a USB connection. The maximum USB cable length is 5 meters (16.5 feet). Cable length can be extended through the use of a powered USB hub.

An Ethernet port is used to connect a computer or peripheral device to a network. POS printers are also available with Ethernet ports, making these printer models a good choice for a remote printer.

Workstation Computer (order entry and cashier)

• Touch panel or touch monitor: Elo Touchsystems LCD touch panel is recommended, with other brands of touch panels and monitors supported. Touch display must support Windows mouse control. Minimum resolution of 800 x 600 is required. Higher resolution touch displays will allow more work area and permit easier navigation. Standard computer monitors are supported with the use of a mouse to navigate the program.
• Computer running Windows 2000, XP or Vista. Choose the best combination of price and performance for your needs. Recommended minimum 512 MB RAM.
• 100 MBPS local area network (LAN) connection when using Point of Success in a network environment. A network switch or hub is required; cross-over cable connections are not supported. Wireless networks are not recommended. Single-user systems are also supported.
• Data entry can be accomplished in its entirety using a touch display, but a mouse and keyboard may make customer information entry easier.
• Receipt printers: Use of printers from the list above will assure the most trouble-free installation and setup. Other brands and models of receipt printers are supported if a standard Windows printer driver is available for the printer. Less popular receipt printers may require additional print formatting. Point of Success supports multiple printers on each workstation, including remote printers for printing of prep tickets. If a printer will be located more than ten feet from a workstation, an Ethernet or serial printer is recommended. Printers may be shared across a network, offering the ability to connect a printer to any available workstation with printer placement in any convenient location. Special Note: Receipt printer models on individual order entry workstations must match.
• Cash drawer designed for your model receipt printer if a computer-controlled cash drawer is desired.
• Uninterruptible power supply with AVR (automatic voltage regulation) for every workstation. A UPS will virtually eliminate power-related problems with both software and network.

Manager’s Computer

• Standard computer display with at least 1024 x 768 resolution. Manager's workstation software can be used on an order entry workstation if the workstation has a display supporting 1024 x 768 resolution and an attached keyboard and mouse.
• Computer running Windows 2000, XP or Vista. Choose the best combination of price and performance for your needs. Recommended minimum 1 GB RAM.
• Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 or above must be installed.
• USB Flash drive, CD-R drive or other high-capacity removable storage device for data backup.
• 100 MBPS local area network (LAN) connection when using Point of Success in a network environment. A network switch or hub is required; cross-over cable connections are not supported. Wireless networks are not recommended. Single-user systems are also supported.
• Laser or ink jet page printer.
• Uninterruptible power supply with AVR (automatic voltage regulation). A UPS will virtually eliminate power-related problems with both software and network.

Database Server Computer

Point of Success uses a client/server database for managing and protecting data. The database software requires a computer running Windows 2000, XP or Vista. The computer running the database software must be on at all times when Point of Success is used. The database server computer can be up day and night or started before using Point of Success. It is best to run the database software on a separate server computer, but the database software can also be loaded on the manager’s workstation or other computer on the network. Database software is not required for single-computer operation. Remember to include a UPS for power protection.

Maximum Number of Users

Windows operating systems have limits on the number of peer-to-peer network users that can connect to the data host computer. Following are the user limits for each listed operating system:

Maximum connections specified above include the data host computer. A Windows Server operating system is required for more than 10 users. Using the wrong operating system on the data host computer can cause unexpected workstation disconnections, database damage and data loss.

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