The term Point of Sale (POS) is most often associated with the electronic hardware and software which checkouts or customer service points use.

Original POS systems evolved from the mechanical cash registers of the first half of the 20th century. Some examples of these types of registers were operated by a crank and some with a lever. These registers recorded data on journal tapes or paper tape and required a manual extra step to get the information into the store's books.

The next evolution was the introduction of electricity and the subsequent electric cash registers. These were basically very much the same as the crank and lever operated versions but used electricity instead of the human power! This changed forever when in 1973 barcodes and barcode reading was introduced. Cash registers evolved to allow for this new technology and in 1986, the first PC based POS systems were introduced by IBM.

The early electronic cash registers (ECR) were programmed in proprietary software and were very limited in function and communications capability (compared to today). The earliest registers using barcodes etc had huge mainframe computers in the back rooms and were by today's standards very slow. At the time they were a breakthrough. Since then many advances have been made which give the business owner powerful information at lightning fast speeds. The irony is that someone reading this in 10 years will be amazed that we thought our systems were fast!

Today most retailers use POS software. But what are all the hardware terms and what do they mean? [↑]

Scans in the barcode and enters the data to the computer. There are two main types, single line or Omni directional. The single line barcode reader must be lined up with the barcode to scan it whilst the Omni directional only needs the barcode within it's field of view eg supermarket scanners. [↑]

Prints the dockets for customer. Can be dot matrix or thermal. The dotmatrix produce permanent receipts whilst the thermal ones fade after a while. The thermal is faster and quieter though. Options such as journal rewinders and paper cutters are also available. [↑]

These obviously hold the cash (and cheques, eftpos receipts etc). Cash drawers are opened either by the key (if fitted) by the receipt printer or by the computer directly. Media slots are useful features on cash drawers as these allow cheques/eftpos receipts to be put in the drawer without opening them (a useful security feature). [↑]

These are the small screens which show you what you have bought, how much change you are going to get etc. Usually connected directly to the computer though sometimes thru the receipt printer. [↑]

For more information on POS hardware or software contact our staff or go to our tutorials section. [↑]

If you need further help, would like to be advised of future tutorials, or have a tutorial suggestion just email us.

This tutorial is copyright Pos Shop Pty Ltd. You are free to distribute this or publish this to others provided it is distributed without changes and complete. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, no warranty whether implied or stated is given as to the information's accuracy or suitability. As we are not aware of your exact situation the content is used at your own risk entirely. [↑]

Ces Luscombe has worked in the Barcode and POS industry since 1995. Ces is the founder of The Barcode Approach (later to become Gripon Australia) and is also the founder of Grabba International Pty Ltd. Grabba International was formed as a result of a spinoff from Gripon Australia Pty Ltd after the successful worldwide launch of the Grabba PDA Data Capture attachments in San Jose, California in 2002. [↑]

Pos Shop Pty Ltd is a leading reseller of point of sale equipment, signage, ticketing and shop fitting accessories. Pos Shop was established in 2003 to service businesses and shopkeepers alike. The Pos Shop offers an unsurpassed range of goods to help businesses in all aspects. For more information contact us or telephone 1300 762 603. [↑]