Point of Sale Configurations: Open Systems

The whole concept of Open Systems couldn’t be more apparent than when it comes to talking about POS installations. Any PC-based system, capable of running Linux (typically with 256MB RAM) is a candidate for running the Total Retail POS applications in “stand-alone” mode. With a supported monitor, Touchscreen is also available. Real-time, character-based POS clients can be Linux, Windows or Mac OS X, running terminal emulation software (included with Linux and OS X).

Total POS does not lock you into any specific brand or required configuration. Industry standard peripherals are all supported from leading firms such as Epson, Symbol, Metrologic, Star, Preh, Motorola and more. Total POS is certified on both IBM and DigiPOS all-in-one POS’s, or you are free to select from a variety of “best-of-breed” components. Magstar is also a Motorola authorized reseller for Total Mobile POS.

“I already have PC Cash registers. Will your software work with them?”

It is quite possible that it will. If you are currently using industry standard printers, scanners, and drawers, and your processor meets, or can be upgraded to meet the minimum requirements for running Linux (Pentium or equivalent with 256 MB RAM and at least a 3 GB HD), then it is very likely that some, if not all, of your legacy hardware could be recycled.

The point is, that based on your priorities, Magstar will work with you to determine the most economical approach to satisfying your POS hardware requirements, without compromising on functionality or efficiency.

Scalable Server Configuration

The “Open System” philosophy allows for total flexibility in determining the specifications that will meet your needs, whether they be modest or seriously intense. Scalability allows you to select the entry level of hardware configuration that fulfills your present and future demands.

Total Retail was first launched in 1986 on the UNIX platform, and has continued to grow and evolve, natively in UNIX ever since. UNIX has proven itself to be the platform of choice time and again for its rock solid stability, security, and communications power. With the advent of Open-Source Linux, the natural evolution has been to keep pace with the times and the technology so that, now, all new development is in the Linux environment. Total flexibility also means that Total Retail will port to most any flavor of UNIX as well as Apple’s OS X (UNIX) platform.

“Open Systems” means that you may have your applications installed on the supported platform of your choosing, i.e., Compaq, IBM, or Dell servers. While Magstar has a VAR agreement with HP/Compaq and will be pleased to provide quotations, you may elect to source your hardware components elsewhere.

Server requirements will vary, based on number of users and activity. In a multiple-user environment, dual processors are recommended and SCSI Hard Drives and an internal DDS back-up tape drive are required. Relative to your demands and security concerns, add multiple Processors, Redundant Power Supply, and RAID V with two or more additional SCSI, hot-pluggable, 15 kb rpm Hard Drives.

Total Mobile POS

Magstar has announced their new Total Mobile POS solution - a lightweight Point of Sale handheld that will allow retailers to notably improve customer service levels while adeptly handling lane busing, basic POS transactions and customer returns. Magstar Total Mobile POS will give retailers and their customers the freedom to operate throughout the store and in outside store areas via a secure wireless network.

Using the same technology and easy-to-use design features from the company’s award-winning Total POS solution (Magstar was DigiPos’ North American Vendor of the Year in 2007), Magstar Total Mobile POS is a powerful portable touch screen tool capable of real time lookup of items, pricing and customer loyalty (CRM) information. At the same time, it is able to fully-integrate all sales activity back to the powerful, feature-rich Magstar Total POS solution, which then automatically instantly feeds the data to the Total Retail enterprise solution.

Network Flexibility

Total Retail uses standard TCP/IP protocols. Use the Total Retail server to create your own local network, or simply add it to your existing Microsoft or other 3rd party TCP/IP network. Total Retail then becomes simply another address on your network. GUI desktop client software, provided with your installation package, connects your users seamlessly to Total Retail on their existing PC’s, with no disruption to your current configurations.

Store Back Office Servers

Just as with the Head Office server, optional in-store servers with Total Retail’s In-Store Back Office application run on the Linux OS platform.

Relative to the number of users, and intensity of activity, Magstar will assist you in determining the suitable configuration. For example, stores which require access for several concurrent users and/or are running real-time interactive POS clients will be encouraged to select a model with high speed drives and dual processors. Internal DDS tape back-up drives are also essential.

Other than that, and just in case you missed it earlier, Magstar Total Retail is an “Open-System” solution. “Open Systems” means that you may have your applications installed on the supported platform of your choosing, i.e., Compaq, IBM, or Dell servers.