Inventory and POS/Cash Solutions

[Timothy Washington]

A friend said something similar - start with the i) software (inventory & 
accounting) and ii) back-end database first. Was recommended some open source 
packages like i) http://www.openbravo.com and ii) http://l-ane.sourceforge.net , 
but I'm still trying to understand how to piece it all together. I really want 
to be able to input inventory arrivals; then have a bar-code scanner (or just 
POS) track what goes out the door. 


It sounds like the cash drawer would have to be hooked up to the receipt printer 
(serial connection?) - all from a POS screen. And yes, there is already a cash 
register and bar-code reader there (don't have the specs). But I want something 
that can be hooked up to an inventory control system. 


Hmmm..
Tim 





________________________________
From: William Park <opengeometry-FFYn/CNdgSA at public.gmane.org>
To: tlug-lxSQFCZeNF4 at public.gmane.org
Sent: Sun, December 5, 2010 3:17:06 PM
Subject: Re: [TLUG]: Inventory and POS/Cash Solutions

Reading between the lines, I'm guessing the store in question already 
has everything.  Otherwise, factor that into your price.  Most important
is transaction at the end (ie. sales and receipts).  Then, work backward
from there, incrementally.

Initially, try to avoid "all-integrated-ERP" solution.  Instead, look
for "POS screen" which only deals with user interface, like
    - input from keyboard (or barcode reader, which is the same thing,
      ie. scanning barcode is the same as typing those numbers),
    - line items and total on screen.
    - user input for voiding, price override, tax exemption, etc.
    - printing receipt and electronic journal.

The backend database will determine how you store/extract item infos
(ie. input for POS screen), and how you post POS transaction (ie. output
from POS screen).  Look into accounting package, like Simply Accounting,
AccPac, etc.  It will give you some idea as to what you need for I/O
format and data structure.

I wonder if a spreadsheet (eg. Excel, etc) can be used, modified, or
forked for POS screen side of thing.  Hmm...
-- 
William

On Sun, Dec 05, 2010 at 11:20:32AM -0800, Timothy Washington wrote:
> I figure I can get something reasonable where a mobile device enters inventory 

> as it comes in. Then I would expect the bar code reader / cash system to track 

> product as it leaves the store. I'm just trying to get educated at this point. 

> 
> Tim
> ________________________________
> From: William Park <opengeometry-FFYn/CNdgSA at public.gmane.org>
> To: tlug-lxSQFCZeNF4 at public.gmane.org
> Sent: Sun, December 5, 2010 12:33:16 AM
> Subject: Re: [TLUG]: Inventory and POS/Cash Solutions
> 
> On Sat, Dec 04, 2010 at 06:45:05PM -0800, Timothy Washington wrote:
> > Hello all, 
> > 
> > I'm looking into buying a Convenience Store. One thing I want to do is have 
> >it's 
> >
> > inventory and POS/Cash systems upgraded. So I want to know the best linux 
> > solution to handle that (trying to avoid SAP and Oracle bloat). I found a 
>list 
>
> 
> > of Linux ERP solutions below. But I want to know how I can go about 
>evaluating 
>
> 
> > them. 
> > - http://www.linuxlinks.com/article/20...17552/ERP.html
> > 
> > Also, is there a place to look for GTA area consultants / technicians with 
> > experience setting up inventory control and other systems for convenience or 

> > retail stores. The immediate task(s) would be things like:
> > - setup inventory control hardware & software
> > - all product ( inventory and sales ) must be trackable by barcode
> > - software should track
> > - prod w/ highest sales volume
> > - prod w/ best margin
> > - reorder threshold
> > - tie sales numbers to employee shifts
> > 
> > 
> > Anyone have any experience with this? 
> > Thanks
> 
> The features you're asking are way beyond "convenience store".
> - How do you enter items in the first place?
> - What payments do you accept, and how how you process POS transaction?
> - I assume you already have barcode reader, barcode printer, receipt
>   printer, etc.  If not, which one do you buy?
> - it's messy...
> 
> May I suggest dedicated Sharp/Cannon "cash register" from Staples,
> Office Depot, Grand & Toys, etc.
> 
> -- 
> William
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