PC-connection

Cash register systems have been optimized to be applied at the Point of Sale. Fast registration of sales, guided menu selection and product information are their main features.

However, if you want to analyse cash register reports, if you want to compare different sales periods or product segments or if you want to examine the success of special offers, a PC opens a much wider range of possibilities. All the more if data of several ECRs or branch shops is to be compared or is to be transferred to stock control- and back office programs.

The possibilities a PC-connection offers are listed in detail in the chapter on the Vectron Commander. This software connects Vectron POS systems to the PC and is the basis of all PC-connections.

We now examine the technical possibilities and prerequisites of a PC-connection to Vectron POS systems for different complex applications. For additional information on all examples where several cash registers are networked please see the chapter: ECR-network.

• 1. One ECR and one PC within a distance of up to 100 meters
  For this simple variant you only require a serial cable and the Vectron Commander to import sales and order data from the POS system to the PC and to transfer new PLUs, prices and orders to the cash register.

• 2. Several ECRs and one PC in a networked (group of) building(s)
  In this case the ECRs are connected via a 10BaseT network. An already existing 10BaseT network of a PC-installation can also be used. PCs that communicate via this network are not influenced by the POS systems. In order to establish communication, the POS system is connected via serial interface to the PC on which the Vectron Commander is installed. This interface serves to read out all other ECRs and to load them with new data.

• 3. One ECR and one PC within any distance
  In case of larger distances, which do not allow a direct cabling, varying telecommunications are applied. A modem is connected to the POS system as well as to the PC. Depending on modem and cable type, communication is established via the analog telephone network respectively ISDN or the mobile radio network.

• 4. Several ECRs and one PC within any distance
  For communication in this installation, the ECRs are connected per 10Base T-network as explained under 3. A modem is connected to one of the ECRs. The PC can then establish communication with this ECR via its modem. All other ECRs in the 10BaseT network can be addressed individually via this ECR, can be read out and loaded with new data.

• 5. Several branch shops and one PC within any distance
  The same prerequisites as described under 5 apply. The PC can dial into the different branch shops via its modem and address all POS systems that are either connected directly with the modem or per 10BaseT network.

• 6. Mixed installations
  It goes without saying that you can connect both to a PC: an ECR per serial interface and a modem for the communication with distant ECRs. The type of connection does not influence the supported functions and acquired data.