Understanding POS Terminals

Understanding POS Terminals

Overview

This article gives you an overview of POS Terminals in iVendNext, including how to set up and manage them with connected devices to support smooth retail operations.




1. What is a POS Terminal?

A POS Terminal in iVendNext consists of:


  • Hardware: Physical devices (e.g., touchscreen monitor, customer display, receipt printer, cash drawer).

  • Software: iVendNext’s retail application for processing sales, returns, and payments.


Key Functions:


  • Processes sales transactions.

  • Tracks inventory in real time.

  • Accepts multiple payment methods (cash, card, mobile wallets).

  • Generates receipts and sales reports.



2. Prerequisites for Setting Up a POS Terminal

Before creating a POS Terminal, ensure the following are configured:


  1. Company Profile (Setup under Home > Company Master).

  2. Store/Warehouse (Linked to inventory and sales data).

  3. Hardware Profile (Defines connected peripherals like printers and scanners).


Note: Skip this step if your system administrator has already set up these components.



3. Steps to Create a POS Terminal

Step 1: Access the POS Terminal Screen

  1. Navigate to Home > Retail > Settings > POS Terminal.

  2. Click Add POS Terminal to open the configuration screen.


Step 2: Configure Basic Details

  • Name: Assign a unique identifier (e.g., "Checkout-1" or "Main-Store-Terminal").

  • Company: Select from the dropdown (auto-populated if only one exists).

  • Store: Link to a pre-configured warehouse/store.


Best Practice: Use clear naming conventions (e.g., "[Location]-[Terminal Number]").


Step 3: Assign a Hardware Profile

  • Select an existing Hardware Profile (or create a new one).

  • This links peripherals (printer, scanner, cash drawer) to the terminal.


Step 4: Advanced Settings

  • Moneris Device ID: Required for credit/debit card payments (if applicable).

  • Has Multiple Cash Drawers: Enable if the terminal manages two cash drawers.


Step 5: Save and Activate

Click Save to finalize. The terminal is now ready for transactions.



4. Key Fields Explained

Field

Purpose

Name

Unique identifier for the terminal (e.g., "Checkout-1").

Company

Links to the business entity (auto-populated if only one exists).

Store

Associates the terminal with a specific warehouse/location.

Hardware Profile

Defines connected devices (printers, scanners, etc.).

Payment Processor Device ID

Enables card payments via Moneris/Clover payment gateway.

Multiple Cash Drawers

Allows two cash drawers per terminal (e.g., for high-volume stores).



5. Reinitializing a POS Terminal

If you need to replace a terminal or reset its hardware:


  1. Go to the POS Terminal List.

  2. Select the terminal > Click Actions > Release Terminal.

  3. This clears the Hardware ID, allowing reassignment.



Use Case: Helpful when swapping faulty hardware or relocating terminals.



6. Troubleshooting Common Issues

Here’s a quick look at some common issues you might run into.


Issue

Solution

Terminal not recognizing peripherals

Verify the Hardware Profile settings.

Payment device not working

Recheck Device ID and network connection.

Receipt printer offline

Check Printer Name in Hardware Profile.



    • Related Articles

    • POS Profiles and Terminals: Setup and Management

      Overview This article gives you an overview of POS Profiles and Terminals in iVendNext, which form the backbone of your retail operations. POS Profiles streamline checkout workflows, while Terminals link your hardware to the software. 1. ...

    • Integrating POS Profiles with Stores and Terminals

      Overview This article gives you an overview of linking POS Profiles to Stores and Terminals in iVendNext to streamline retail operations. Prerequisites Before integrating POS Profiles with Stores and Terminals, ensure the following are set up: Store ...

    • Understanding POS

      What is a POS in iVendNext? A Point of Sale (POS) in iVendNext is a combination of hardware (terminals, scanners, printers) and software that processes sales, manages inventory, and enhances customer interactions. It serves as the central hub for: ...

    • Configuring Hardware Profiles for POS Terminals

      Overview This article gives you an overview of Hardware Profiles in iVendNext, showing how to set up and customize device configurations for your POS Terminal. 1. What is a Hardware Profile? A Hardware Profile stores settings for peripherals attached ...

    • Understanding POS Profiles

      Overview This article gives you an overview of setting up a POS Profile, which controls how your Point of Sale system handles payments, inventory, and customer interactions. Why POS Profiles Matter POS Profiles eliminate manual errors by automating ...