| The point of sale or checkout is the location where the | | | | keyboard and mouse function in an intuitive blend. |
| transaction occurs. In its most basic form, the point of | | | | Bar Code Scanner |
| sale terminal is the electronic cash register that the | | | | Today, nearly every product sold in a retail outlet has a |
| cashier uses to ring up the customer and produce the | | | | universal product code (UPC) somewhere on its |
| receipt. However, many modern point of sale | | | | packaging. The bar code scanner equipment interprets |
| configurations are much more elaborate than a single | | | | that UPC label as the cashier swipes it over its |
| electronic cash register. Here is an overview of many | | | | sensors. The bar code scanner then converts the |
| of the core components of today's point of sale | | | | scanned information into data that the workstation and |
| systems. | | | | the server can use. The bar code scanner is a key |
| Computer Workstation | | | | component that has contributed to the speed and |
| The computer workstation has taken the place of the | | | | efficiency of the modern point of sale systems. |
| electronic cash register, and this is the core component | | | | Credit Card Swipe |
| of most contemporary point of sale systems. It houses | | | | The credit/debit card swipe serves two purposes. The |
| all of the software and functionality needed for a single | | | | first is to read information off a credit/debit card that |
| point of sale terminal, it processes all the data needed | | | | the customer or cashier swipes through or over its |
| to complete a transaction, and it powers all of the | | | | reading mechanism, very similar to how the bar code |
| other devices and peripherals that the terminal | | | | scanner works. The device then sends that |
| employs. | | | | information to the appropriate bank or credit card |
| Server | | | | company for approval. Once the equipment receives |
| Today, even the smallest point of sale systems are | | | | the return of information, it then sends it on to the |
| networks, and at least one server is at the center of | | | | workstation. |
| that network. In its simplest form, the server is a | | | | Receipt Printer |
| repository of all the information that the computer | | | | Receipt printers print a record of the transaction for |
| workstations much share, such as the inventory and | | | | use by the client. Of all point of sale equipment, receipt |
| current discounts. | | | | printers have changed the least since the days of the |
| Monitor | | | | electronic cash register. However, the one key |
| Electronic cash registers of the past had small, | | | | difference is critical. Today's equipment prints much |
| on-board displays. Since today's point of sale terminals | | | | more quickly therefore paying great dividends over a |
| are computers, they make use of a monitor to display | | | | large number of clients. |
| their information. The advantage to using a monitor is | | | | Cash Drawer |
| that the system can provide a great deal more | | | | The cash drawer is the box where the cashier |
| information to the cashier, and there is enough screen | | | | collects the money and other valuable items such as |
| real estate to make information visible to the client. | | | | checks and money orders. Like the receipt printer, |
| Recently, businesses have begun incorporating touch | | | | today's cash drawer is fundamentally the same as |
| screen technology into their point of sale configurations. | | | | those used in years past. However, modern |
| This simplifies the process further by offering screen, | | | | technology allows for a much more secure drawer. |