POINT OF SALE GLOSSARY

ADAPTER CARDS Cards that can be installed in expansion slots located on the Central Processing Unit of a computer. These cards enhance the flexibility of the computer to accept devices such as monitors, memory adapters and parallel and serial peripherals. ALPHANUMERIC Character set containing letters, numbers and punctuation marks. ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) A seven-bit-plus parity code established by ANSI (American National Standards Institute) to achieve compatibility between data devices. ASYNCHRONOUS TRANSMISSION The method whereby data is sent and received one byte at a time.
B BANDWIDTH The amount of data that can be carried over a line or through a connection measured in bits/sec. BARCODE Information encoded into a pattern of varying-width parallel bars and spaces. The most common symbologies used in the retail environment are UPC-A for merchandise marking and Code 128 for shipping containers. Other symbologies include Plessey Code 39, Interleaved 2 of 5 and EAN/JAN BARCODE DENSITY The number of data characters which can be represented in a linear unit of measure. Bar code density is often expressed in characters per inch. BARCODE PRINTER A printer used to produce barcodes on labels, tags and other paper materials. Printers range from dot matrix to thermal printing technology. BARCODE SCANNER Scans and reads bar codes: can be classified as wands, hand-helds, projection/vertical or in-counter scanners. BARCODE VERIFIER Measures and ensures traditional print quality. BAUD RATE The number of transmission elements per second in a communication line. BUFFER A temporary-storage device used to compensate for a difference in data rate and data flow between two devices (typically a computer and a printer) also called a spooler. BYTE A binary element string functioning as a unit. Eight-bit bytes are most common. Also called a character.
C CAT Credit authorization terminal. CATEGORY MANAGEMENT Operating individual product categories as separate strategic business units. CPI Characters per inch. CPS Characters per second. CCD Charged coupled device. A type of scanner that operates by flashing an LED and creating a reflected image onto photosensitive, then digitizing that image. CHECK DIGIT A Character whose represented value is used as a mathematical check to ensure accuracy. Commonly used in SKU numbers and bar codes. CODE 128 Variable length alphanumeric bar code symbology with 128 characters CODE 39 Variable length, bi-directional, self-checking alphanumeric bar code. Three of the elements are wide and six are narrow. COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL The rules governing the exchange of information between devices on a data link. CUSTOMER POLE DISPLAY A Peripheral device designed to show customers information about their transaction and are also used to display marketing information and other messages.
D DATA COLLECTION TERMINAL FIXED/PORTABLE A Stationary or hand-held battery powered terminal with application software used to collect and process data from bar code readers, key entry, mag striped, radio or voice transmissions. Can be batch or online device. DECODER Electronic package that receives signals from a scanner, performs the algorithm to interpret the signals into meaningful data and interfaces to other devices. DEPTH OF FIELD The distance between the maximum and minimum plane in which a code reader is capable of reading symbol. DIRECT THERMAL Direct thermal is a printing technology method in which the printer utilizes a paper that reacts chemically to heat. The label rolls are coated with a thermo-sensitive layer that darkens when exposed to intense heat. Direct thermal printers require no ink or ribbon and are typically used when a bar code label needs to endure for a year or less. DUAL TRACK A type of credit card reader that is capable.
E EDI Electronic data interchange. An inter-company application to application communication of data in standard format, permitting the recipient to perform functions of a standard business transaction. EFT Electronic Funds Transfer. Associated with electronic payments to suppliers, employee's etc. EBT Electronic Benefits Transfer. Electronically transmitted money for food stamps, welfare, social security benefits etc. ECR Efficient Consumer Response. Similar to Quick Response, but tailored to the grocery industry, ECT also involves promotion and forward buying improvements not traditionally associated with QR. EPROM Read-only, non-volatile, semi-conductor memory that is erasable via ultra-violet light and re-programmable EXPASION BOARD/EXPANSION SLOT The optional device board that is usually added inside the system cabinet in an available expansion slot.
F FIRMWARE A computer program or software stored permanently in PROM or ROM.
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H HAND-HELD COLLECTOR Hand-held battery powered terminal with application software used to collect and process data from bar code readers, key entry, mag striped, radio or voice transmissions. Can be batch or online device.
I IC/SMART CARDS Credit card sized packages containing one or more microchips. These may be IC memory and/or microprocessors. IN-COUNTER SCANNER Mounted into a counter top, the scanner can read barcodes in high-speed environments (i.e. grocery stores)
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L LAN Local area network LASER SCANNER Reads barcodes and have a "depth of field" which enables them to read barcodes from short distances away (6"to a few feet). LIGHT PEN Hand held scanner and bar code reader.
M MASTER REGISTER Central register or file server in a multiple registers environment. MEGABYTE Unit of measure that consists of 1,014 kilobytes. MICR READER Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR). MICR readers are used to read the encoded information within the ink on a check. MULTIPLEXER Device, which supports multiple polling data collection using scheduling, schemes. MTBF Mean Time between Failures (MTBF) The average time between failures of a systems device.
N NETWORK A communications system connecting two or more computers and their peripheral devices. NETWORK CARD An expansion card that is installed in an available slot in a computer for computer communication purposes.
O OEM Original Equipment Manufacturer
P PARALLEL TRANSMISSION Transmission mode that sends a number of bits simultaneously over separate lines. PC-POS Intelligent point of sale terminal that uses industry standard connectivity and operating system. POLLING A means of controlling devices on a multi-point line. Usually utilized to send/receive information via modem from remote computers to a central computer. PORTABLE DATA COLLECTOR A hand-held computer that can be used as stand alone portable unit for point-of-sale, inventory, receiving and other applications. POS Point of Sale PRINTER DIRECT THERMAL A unit that uses elective heating of pins to produce images. The pins heat the label, which contain the temperature sensitive material and produces the image. There is no ribbon involved. PRINTER, THERMAL TRANSFER A unit that uses elective heating of pins to produce images. The pins strike a thin film or paper based ribbon with a waxing coating. The heat melts the coating, causing pigment to flow on to paper.
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R RAM (Random Access Memory) - Temporary storage that holds the program and data that the CPU is processing READ RATE The ratio of successful decodes with scanners on first attempt to the total attempts to obtain a successful read. RF - RADIO FREQUENCY On-line data communications using portable or on-board radio-frequency computer terminals.
S SCANNER/WAND Hand-held scanning device used in contact with a bar code. SERIAL TRANSMISSION Transmission mode that sends data one bit at a time. In most cases, in personal computers, serial data is passed through an RS232 serial interface port. SIGNATURE CAPTURE Electronically captures an individual's signature for customer identification and transaction verification applications. SLAVE REGISTER A Cash register that is driven by a "master" register in a multiple register environment. SMART CARD A smart card contains a "chip" with memory and is typically used to hold customer account information and a "balance" of money similar to a checking account. The card is inserted into a device that can read and write to a card and is able to update the information appropriately. SOLENOIDS Are used in "dumb" cash drawers and incorporate a cable-connected trigger, which releases the drawer. SKU Stock keeping unit. A number assigned to a specific item of merchandise. SYMBOLOGY Bar Code language. SCANNER, FIXED BEAM Stationary bar code scanner that requires the bar code to be moved through the beam of light. SCANNER, MOVING BEAM Bar code scanner that moves its beam of light to read a symbol. SIL Standard Interchange Language. A standard for data definition, maintenance and queries developed by independent grocery firms.
T THERMAL TRANSFER A printing technology method in which printers use regular paper and a heat sensitive ribbon. The ribbon deposits a coating of dark material on the paper when exposed to intense heat. Thermal transfer printers produce a more durable label that won't fade as quickly as direct thermal labels and are often used when a label needs to endure longer than a year. TILL Paper money and currency tray that holds the money in the cash drawer. TOUCHPAD Fully programmable input device that is compatible with PC's and ASCII terminals. TRACK 1 Track one is a "track" of information on a credit card that has a 79 character alphanumeric field for information. Normally a credit card number, expiration date and customer name are contained on track 1. TRACK 2 Track two is a "track" of information on a credit card that has a 40-character field for information. TRACK 3 Track three is a "track" of information on a credit card that has a 107-character field for alphanumeric information.
U UPC Universal product code. UPS Uninterruptible power supply.
V VERIFICATION The process of verifying if a printed bar code is within specifications.
W WEDGE Terminal interface for scanning devices, mag stripe readers etc. to a computer, PC or POS terminal.
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Y Y-CABLE A cable that normally allows two peripheral devices to communicate off of one port on a computer.
Z Z-OUT End of day procedure. Compiles all totals and updates all areas of system.