Linux Cash Registers?

evil_one asks: "I've been looking for cash register software for Linux, but I can't find any. I think that Linux would be the ideal platform for a bunch of smart terminals accessing a central inventory database. Has anyone implemented a similar setup? What are the advantages/disadvantages over a proprietary POS setup, networked or not?"

kroger

[Cheeze]

the local kroger around here uses what seems to be some sort of unix as the customer price list. the cashier scans the stuff and it's displayed on a normal VGA monitor in a pretty good looking ncurses setup. it totals all of the food as it goes, and generally looks real nice. something like this would probably be what you're looking for. i'm not really sure if they are using a unix to do this, but if it's not, it sure is pretty close.

Re:Linux POS

[SEWilco]

I missed some.

• Integris [integrispos.com] (POS works with many kinds of hardware)
• Proven Accounting [provenacct.com] (it says "Call for information" about Point of Sale)
• ViewTouch POS [viewtouch.com]

CSoft announcement

[SEWilco]

In Linux Weekly News I noticed a CSoft International and Neoware Systems [newsalert.com] press release. CSoft [csoftinternational.com] is bringing their POS system to Linux. Well, iPos is Java-based so can run on Linux, so this seems to be actually an announcement that it will be used with Neoware's systems... but it is a POS system which uses Linux.

Linux POS

[Nocode]

I set up POS's for check and credit card systems locally using SCO Openserver. We have now have evolved to a more economic Linux Redhat. Most of the new instore systems at retail stores, grocery stores and restaraunts around here use a Win NT platform, so we rarely get to interface with them, but our sfw does allow for it (If we had the source for their systems). The biggest problem you will face isn't finding an independant linux/unix pos system, but finding one that will interface with your credit card side, check side, and the normal cash/inventory/upc scanner system. The register itself only solves 1/3 of your problem if all it does is cash transactions. As far as linux being ideal for a central POS, YES IT IS!. We have had no problems (aside from TERM settings, which can be picky) with the networks. I recently installed a system at a local grocery store for credit/check transactions. 16 lanes using verifone t340's. The 340's are networked using basic phone wire to a verifone 1200, which serves as a router. A serial cable from the 1200 to the Unix/Linux PC finishes off the hardware side. As far as the sfw goes, it's a basic database that updates nightly to a host system in my office. I currently have 20 of these systems up and running. If you want some more info on it, feel free to email me. Ill be more than happy to help you out.

These guys sell an X-based POS system

[legoboy]

http://www.linuxcanada.com/linux_pos.html [linuxcanada.com].

Can't say what the quality of it is, though...

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Following line: Good example of Fair Use.

Linux POS

[SEWilco]

The industry term for this type of use is "Point of Sale", although this can refer to many things which are done near cash registers.

It's not very obvious from their feature-oriented web site, but Apropos [aproposretail.com] uses Linux. See how LinuxPOS [linuxcanada.com] or Simple Simon [thinkingapps.com] meet your needs.