Glossary of cash register terms
Alphanumeric:
Using and displaying in letters and numbers (A,B,C,1,2,3).
Add button:
Button used for addition of sales.
Cat5:
Given name for industry standard network of computers, usually 10 Mbits second for point of sale devices.
Clerks:
The total number of persons that can log onto a cash register using an access code.
Departments:
Register will record transactions in categories and totalize by category on department record.
ECR:
Abbreviation for Electronic Cash Register.
Interrupt Clerk:
Name for sequence that allows a cash register to operate more than one cashier at a time. Ideal for public houses, wine bars etc.
IRC:
Inter-Register Communications. The data that can be sent from register to register or register to PC.
Kitchen/Remote Printer:
A seperate receipt printer that can be placed in another location, eliminating the need to manually transfer orders from location to location.
Media Slot:
A thin slot located on the face of a cash drawer. Useful for inserting cheques or cash into the drawer without opening the cash drawer.
Numeric:
Using and displaying in numbers (1,2,3).
Price Look Up (PLU):
PLU function memorizes prices for items allowing for quicker item entry.
Preset:
Given name for a machine that has a dedicated keyboard of prices for quick entry.
Scanner - CCD:
A scanner using a light beam to read a barcode, works within 1 to 2 inches of barcode.
Scanner - Laser:
A scanner using a single beam laser to read a barcode, works within 6-12 inches.
Scanner - Omni-Directional:
A scanner using multiple lasers at varying angles to read a barcode, works within 6-12 inches.
Sentinal Alarm:
Cash in Drawer Alarm. If you program a cash in drawer limit of £200, when cash in drawer reaches £200, an alarm will sound signaling you to do a cash pick-up.
Serial Port:
A 9 pin socket that connect to a personal computer or printer or other device.
Slip Printer:
A remote (non-internal) receipt printer.
Thermal Printer:
A printer using heat to burn the information on the receipt. Thermal printers are extremely fast, quiet and do not require replacement ink cartridges.
Departments - programmable keys to allow distinction between products or departments eg: groceries, sweets and tobacco in a newsagent
Electronic cash register (ECR) - this is the conventional till and while it can be programmed to keep track of and recognise departments in a shop, it isn't a computer
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) - credit card function, the software links with the bank to make payment
Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) - EPOS tills are computers. They can be networked or standalone and they operate by recognising codes on the merchandise, which are sometimes barcodes
Kitchen printing - allows orders to go straight from the till to the kitchen
Point of Sale (POS) - simply the place where the sale is made
Scanner - reads barcodes for automatic price entry on EPOS machines.