| This article is focused on describing what POS | | | | POS software has to meet certain standards, so that |
| software is, how it works, what it is for, tips when | | | | there can be compatibility between the different |
| buying. | | | | devices. The first standard in the POS software |
| If you want to understand what POS software is, you | | | | industry was initiated by Microsoft, NCR, Epson, and |
| should first get familiar with the definition of POS. POS | | | | Fujitsu-ICL, under the name OPOS. OPOS is language |
| means point of sale or point of service, which is | | | | independent because it's based on COM technology; |
| practically any place where transactions occur, like the | | | | hence people refer to it as "OLE for POS." SUN, IBM |
| cashing register of a retail shop or a checkout counter. | | | | and NCR made a new standard called Jalaps. Jalaps |
| As it follows from the definition, pos terminals can be | | | | are operating system independent, because it's entirely |
| found in restaurants, hotels, bars, shops, stores, malls. | | | | programmed using the JAVA language. |
| POS stands for both the hardware and software | | | | Of course, the article wouldn't be complete if we don't |
| which make up the whole system. | | | | mention some of the benefits of pos software. The |
| It's a well known fact that computers as well as pos | | | | main one is the increase of your profits. Another major |
| terminals, communicate by using some kind of a | | | | benefit is the reduction of inventory costs. Or go to |
| protocol - a predefined set of rules followed by all | | | | POS software will also improve customer service. |
| machines when exchanging information. You can visit | | | | Efficiency will also be maximized with as minimum as |
| The protocol is like the language which computers | | | | 20%, because it automates repetitive tasks. |
| speak. There are several protocols that are typically | | | | If you just consider for a minute all the places where |
| included in the pos software to control the peripheral | | | | you can find pos terminals - all the stores in the |
| devices, such as POS printer, a bar-code scanner, and | | | | country, then you will easily see that there is a huge |
| a credit/debit card reader. Protocols such as AEDEX, | | | | competition in the pos software industry, there are a |
| Ultimate, DSP-800, and UTC Enhanced. | | | | lot of products available on the market. |