Glossary Of POS System Terms

--- Adapter Fault Tolerance (AFT)
AFT allows a server to switch from one network card to prevent a failed connector, cable, or card from interrupting access to the server.
                       
--- Bar Code
Information encoded into a pattern of parallel bars and spaces.

--- Bar Code Density
The amount of data that can be represented in a linear unit of measure.

--- Bar Code Printer
A printer used to produce bar codes.

--- Bar Code Scanner
Reads bar codes and translates the data for the POS system to process.

--- Bi-Directional Scanner
A hand-held or fixed scanner that operates in two opposing directions.

--- Capacitive Touch Screen
Measures a capacitive change within the active area.  Works through interfacing with an ungloved hand.

--- Cash Drawer Driver
Software used to automate cash drawers.

--- CPI
Characters per inch.

--- CPS
Characters per second.

--- Check Reader
An external device used to read encoded information on a check to be transmitted and processed by a computer, register, or POS system for authorization.

--- Customer Pole Display
An external device designed to show customers information about their transaction. Can also be used for marketing and advertising features.

--- DCHP
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is an easy way for computers on a network to identify each other to make sure that data is transferred accurately.

--- Depth of Field
The distance that a bar code reader is capable of reading symbol.

--- Direct Thermal
Direct thermal is a printing technology that utilizes a paper, which reacts chemically to heat. They require no ink or ribbon.

--- Dot Matrix Printer
A printer that forms characters or images using a matrix of ink dots.

--- Full-Travel Keyboard
This is the most common type of keyboard and is found on most computers.

--- Hand-Held Computer
A small, stand-alone portable unit for POS, receiving, warehousing, inventory and other processes.

--- High Speed Bar Code Scanners
Scanners that can read bar coded documents at up to 600 documents per minute.

--- In-Counter Scanner
A scanner that can read bar codes in high-speed environments. Often found in grocery markets.

--- Infrared Light Source
Scanners that read bar codes through opaque barriers.

--- LAN
Local Area Network

--- Laser Scanner
Reads bar codes and have a "depth of field" which enables them to read bar codes from short distances away (6" to a few feet).

--- Light Pen/Wand
Hand held scanner and bar code reader.

--- Magnetic Strip Reader (MSR)
A device that reads the magnetic stripe on a credit card for account information to automatically be processed for a transaction.

--- Mbps
The speed of data transfer.

--- MICR Reader
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition is used to read the encoded information within the ink on a check.

--- Membrane Keyboard
Keyboards that are usually found in fast food restaurants.

--- NIC
Abbreviation for Network Interface Card.

--- OCR-A
Optical character recognition font used at retail.

--- Omni-Directional Scanners
Scanners that can read a bar code from either direction.

--- PC-POS
Intelligent point of sale terminal that uses industry standard connectivity and operating system.

--- Pen-Based Technology
Enables computer to read handwriting as if it was typed on a keyboard.

--- Pinpad
A pinpad is a small keyboard that normally contains numeric keys, where the customer enters the pin number.

--- POS Register
Computer, printer, scanner, keyboard, monitor, cash drawer and card swipe.

--- PXE
Preboot Execution Environment.

--- Read Rate
The speed of successful decodes with scanners to obtain a successful read.

--- Resistive Touchscreen
A touchscreen that allows the user to use a gloved hand, stylus or other device.

--- Smart Card
A memory chip that is used to hold customer account information and a balance of money.

--- USB (Universal Serial Bus)
A universal connector that replace serial and parallel connections for PC peripherals with a standard plug and cable carrying both data and power.