All cash registers in our offering are provided with a computer connection interface, which will help you both to use the cash register under a “fiscal printer” regime, as well as to program the PLU articles. Nevertheless, not all models are recommended for both modes of operation.
Cash registers can be connected to computers in three ways:
1. “Fiscal printer” or “In Line” mode. When operating in this mode, the cash register is controlled from a sale and management software to print-out receipts. Therefore, the keyboard of the cash register is no longer used to issue receipts, but potentially for other controls (reports, turn-on, turn-off). Most sale software use an intermediate driver to send controls, such as DatPrint, FPrint or Sell Text. Some of these drivers are free of charge, while others can be used for payment. For the current offer of drivers, contact us or visit Drivers and utilities page.
2. The “Off Line” mode is the mode in which the cash register communicates with the computer only for occasional downloading and uploading of information, such as editing of the list of PLU articles or downloading sales reports from computers. To issue receipts, the cash register is used independently from the computer. An example of application which uses the cash receipt off-line is Dat Plu (for Datecs cash registers).
3. The “ECR On Line” mode is that when the cash register calls the list of PLU articles stored in the computer. To enable communication, the computer has to be kept turned-on. The “ECR On Line” mode supports connection of more cash registers to the same computer. The advantages of this mode of operation are: use of an unlimited number of articles (as they are stored in the computer, not in the cash register); easy editing of the articles; more space in the point of sale as others computers are no longer needed. Disadvantages: serial communication with the computer allows only for a certain distanced from it, as limited by the cable; direct sale on the cash register is not as intuitive and complex as the use of sales software.
Not all cash register models support the three types of connection; therefore, we kindly ask you to accurately determine the mode in which you would use your cash register before making the actual purchase. Please contact us for additional information and determination of the mode of operations which best suits your needs.
Both the cash registers and the fiscal printers are connected to the computer through a serial (9 pin) connector, in most of the cases. If the computer you intend to use doesn't have a serial port available, you can use a PCI (or mini PCI) adaptor of serial ports or USB-serial adaptors. Nevertheless, we recommend you to avoid USB-serial adaptors as they are not sufficiently performing or safe for the connection with the fiscal machine.
