Where to Buy Hardware

There are 3 good reasons to buy hardware from a software provider: 1) To be sure to get the correct hardware, 2) convenience and 3) support.

There are 2 compelling reasons not to buy hardware from some software vendors: excessive mark ups, add-on charges and service fees! Here's an example:

Warranties and guarantees are the same whether hardware is purchased from the vendor or not, and shipping time could take longer with an unnecessary middle man added to the mix.

Buy hardware from a fair software vendor. You'll get compatible hardware and assistance at a fair price without all the add-on fees and excessive mark ups.

Hardware : Cash Drawers, Receipt & Price Label Printers, Scanners

Standardization in hardware is better but it is still necessary to know which hardware works with what software. If you have hardware, the quickest way to determine if it works with BCSS is to install the BCSS demo, tell BCSS about your hardware and test it. If available hardware does not work with BCSS, we can often configure the software for the hardware (for a nominal fee).

The items listed below are known to work with BCSS and have been chosen for their dependability, warranties, fast shipping, support and affordability. Outstanding benefits of the manufacturer (POS-X) are direct phone access to their service department and next-day replacement (additional charge) or free '2-Day Rapid Replacement'.

There are no add-on fees for cables, or shipping within the continental U.S. and Canada. Only actual additional shipping charges (for expedited shipments and shipments to remote or international locations) are passed through to the purchaser. We don't mark up shipping charges and we don't tack them on at the end of the ordering process.

We confirm hardware orders to assure accuracy and to make sure you receive any special discounts. For example, purchased separately BCSS Diamond ($595), the cash drawer, receipt printer and bar-code scanner would total $1,072. The Diamond Package includes all four items for $999 complete. The Deluxe Package is $879 with the same hardware.

Hardware Packages include the Vline Bar-Code Scanner, the HDCD Cash Drawer, and the EVO Thermal Receipt Printer.

Scanner Upgrades

• The BCSS Special includes the Vline scanner. The scanner's trigger must be pulled to read each bar code. The Vline may be upgraded to the XI3200 which reads bar codes when the label is passed in front of the scanner. The XI3200 includes a hands-free stand. Reading distance up to 14" (vs. Vline's 5"). Upgrade from Vline to the 3200: Add $56

• The XI3200BT is a wireless Bluetooth scanner with a range to 328 feet. Upgrade from Vline to the 3200BT: Add $299

Bar Code Scanning

BCSS Deluxe, Diamond and Virtual read and write bar codes. Price, item number and item description are printed on sheets of labels, hang tags (or on adhesive or non-adhesive thermal labels using Diamond or Virtual and the Zebra 2844 or 2824 thermal label printer). Bar codes, date in, the discount schedule and disposal codes are optional.

At POS scanning a bar code enters the item on a new-sale invoice. The entry includes the item's ID and description, price and the owner (consignor). BCSS auto enters a quantity of 1, taxes and 'buyer fee' (if applicable). Those entries may be edited.

		Vline Barcode Scanner ($99) The Vline is an inexpensive tethered scanner which connects to the PC with a 6.5' USB cable. It has a 5-inch read range, 4.7" read width and can read 200 bar codes per second. It reads all popular bar-code symbologies. This scanner is included in BCSS Special Offers. 3-Year Warranty
		XI3200 Barcode Scanner ($149, Hand-Free Stand $20; upgrade from Vline $56) The XI3200 is a shock-resistant tethered scanner with a reading distance of up to 14 inches. The hands-free stand is almost a must at POS. Also included are the configuration software, a manual and USB cable. This scanner is available as an upgrade in BCSS Special Offers for $56. 5-Year Warranty
		XI3200BT BlueTooth Wireless Scanner ($399) The XI3200BT Bluetooth scanner is wireless with a range up to 328 feet and a reading distance up to 14 inches. It is shatter resistant. The scanner is rechargable with a battery life up to 50,000 scans. This scanner is available as an upgrade in the BCSS Special Offers for $299. 3-Year Warranty

Each scanner is shipped with a users guide, cable and power supply where applicable. Shipping is free in the lower 48 states and Canada. Additional shipping charges only apply outside the U.S. and to 'remote locations'.

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Cash Drawer and Receipt Printer

A cash register is different from a cash drawer. All cash registers have a cash drawer. A cash register records sales and provides a printout at the end of the day for balancing the cash drawer. A cash drawer is simply a place to store money. BCSS uses your computer, receipt printer and a cash drawer in place of a cash register. A cash drawer is typically connected to the receipt printer (which is connected to the PC). When a receipt is printed, the cash drawer opens. The cash drawer can be connected directly to the PC (without a receipt printer) using a special cable, and can be opened in BCSS by pressing the F12 key. A receipt printer prints (on 3-inch-wide roll paper) showing the details of the sale: date, items, quantity, price, subtotal, tax, total amount.  The 'Instant-Cash-Drawer-Balance-feature' in BCSS Diamond or Virtual tracks each salesperson's sales balance in real time and determines how much cash should be in the till at any time. Multiple employees can transact from the same POS station or on the same network.

XCHD Series Heavy-Duty Cash Drawer ($119) The Heavy Duty XCHD Series printer-driven cash drawer attaches to the receipt printer (or directly to the PC with a special cable). It conveniently opens when a sales receipt is printed (or when the F12 key is pressed in BCSS). It has a locking drawer for storing money securely. A cash drawer makes a better impression on customers and provides better security. 3-Year Warranty

EVO Thermal Receipt Printer ($289) This is a 'silent' thermal printer which prints 1-ply receipts. Copies of the receipt are printed by reprinting the receipt. The printer has a jam-free autocutter. It has swappable interface cards and drop-in paper loading. 3-Year Warranty

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Complete Computer Systems (~$525 from Dell Computers)

Computer Systems

BCSS speed and efficiency is only limited by a PC's storage capacity, Windows edition (XP, Vista, Windows 7), processor, 'front bus' speed, RAM, cache memory and PC 'health'. Shops with a few thousand inventory entries should have at least 512 MB of RAM for XP, 2 GB for Vista or Windows 7. For large operations storing 10,000 or more inventory items, greater horsepower is needed: 3.0 GHz Pentium IV or AMD processor - not Celeron or Centrino - 1GB of RAM for XP (2-3 GB for Vista or Windows 7) - 3 GB free disk space. Laptops have slower Celeron or Centrino processors (to avoid over heating), i.e., they run slower and may not be suitable for heavy-duty use.

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Software - The Operating System

Microsoft Windows is an 'operating system' (OS). Every computer must have an operating system to run other programs and hardware. Operating systems perform basic tasks such as installing other software, recognizing input from the keyboard and scanners, sending output to the monitor, keeping track of files and directories on the hard disk, and controlling devices such as optical drives and printers.

For most computer users, Windows Vista is difficult to use. (See Vista.) If at all possible, insist on Windows XP Professional (Service Pack 3) or Windows 7 Professional when purchasing a new computer, and consider reformatting a PC that has Vista and install XP or Win7. BCSS is compatible with Vista but many software users are not compatible with Vista.

Windows 7

The following are the minimum requirements for Windows 7:

• Processor = 2 GHz or faster
• RAM = 2-3 GB
• Disc Space = 16 GB 32 bit; 20 GB 64 bit
• Video = DirectX 9 capable device with WDDM 1.0 or higher
• Clean installation suggested with no bloatware.

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Hardware - Computer Components (Hard Drive, Processor, Memory)

Simply put, your computer should be built for business purposes. Many computers (desktops and laptops) sold 'off the shelf' are intended for light home use - email, word processing, web surfing...

All too often businesses use home PCs and laptops that have been connected to the Internet (which are likely infected with 'malware' - viruses, spyware, trojans...). Invariably inadequate computer resources and poor or nonexistent computer maintenance are responsible for computer crashes and error messages, lock ups and slow processing.

Only software necessary for business use should be installed on the computer. Each additional installation of a software program increases the chances for incompatibilities and conflicts.

Get a Dell (888-782-3355) Vostro 'Fast Track' - $15/month lease (48 months) or about $500 (keyboard, mouse, no speakers or monitor).

Here's why you would love this machine:

• 250 GB (gigabyte) 7200 RPM hard drive, DataBurst Cache - way more than enough disk space
• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
• 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz RAM Memory (plenty)
• USB Keyboard, Optical Mouse, DVD-ROM Drive
• Windows 7 Professional or XP Professional
• Intel Dual Core Processor, 2.93GHz Clock Speed (fast)
• 1066GHz Front Side Bus (A 'bus' connects components to the motherboard. 1066GHz is fast.)
• Option: Vostro Quad Core Package ($529) includes 20" flat-screen monitor.
• Option: $9 - Internal Audio Speaker
• Option: $69 - 3 Year Basic Limited Warranty and 3 Year Next-Business-Day On-Site Service - A technician will be at your place of business the next business day to fix any problem.
• Option: $70 - Cordless Mouse, Keyboard, Flash Drive
• Option: $49 - Dell V305 All-In-One Printer
• Option: $17 - Belkin 8-Outlet Slimline Surge Protector (protection from power surges/spikes - handy for plugging in peripherals)
• Option: $100 - 3-Year Hard Drive Data Recovery and Certified Data Destruction Service

Reasons to Love Dell:

• 30-Day Getting-Started Assistance for installation optimization, configuration and limited usage questions
• 24/7 Comprehensive On-Line Support
• Telephone Technical Support
• 1 Year Next-Business-Day On-Site Service
• 1-Year Basic Limited Warranty and13-Year Next-Business-Day On-Site Service
• Free Shipping, Including Peripherals (Like Printers) on orders over $600
• Next-Business-Day On-Site Service
• 1 Year Hard Drive Data Recovery
• Financing - There's no reason not to have a brand new trouble-free computer under warranty - $16/month lease, no payment for 90 days. (Offers vary.)

Please note that Dell's special offers change frequently. The above information is an example of their pricing structure as of 6/4/2010.

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Laser Printers

Together BCSS (and any laser/inkjet/bubblejet or dot matrix printer) can print consignment agreements, checks, reports, sales invoices, address labels, price labels and hang tags (with or without bar codes) - on 8.5 x 11 sheets of paper and 8.5 x 11 sheets of labels.

(A disadvantage of printing sales invoices on 8.5 x 11 paper is ink usage. Cheaper and more impressive 3" receipts can be printed using a receipt printer. The printer is considerably more in price than laser-style printers ($289 vs $50) but there are no costly 'ink cartridges' to continually replace and paper usage is considerably less.

Similarly, address and price labels and hang tags can be printed at lesser cost over the long run using a thermal label printer.

Laser Printers

If color printing is not necessary, purchase any Hewlett Packard low-end black and white printer with a paper feed. For a few dollars more, purchase their 5510 All-in-One copier-fax-printer-scanner. If you are purchasing a new computer, consider Dell for added support and for possible savings on printers and shipping. Their V305 All-in-One is under $70.

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Thermal Printers

BCSS prints 2" to 4"-wide horizontal thermal labels (adhesive and non-adhesive hang tags) - from 1" to 4" high using the Zebra 2844 LP Thermal Printer, or 2" horizontal labels with the Zebra 2824. Bar codes may be printed on labels that are 2" wide or wider, and greater than 1" in height.

Direct thermal printers use a thermal printhead that applies heat to a chemically-treated paper, creating lines, text and graphics.

The new 4" Horizontal Tags are cost and time efficient. A black line (adhesive) or gap (non-adhesive) across the back forces the printer to print before moving forward, so there is no waste.

(Buy tags from Zebra or Barcode Warehouse.)

The 2844 printer is $379 and the 1" x 4" labels are $13 for 1310 labels. The printing cost per label is less than printing sheet labels in the long run because no ink or ribbon is required. It is also easier to print one or several labels using a thermal printer.

BCSS has been configured for the Zebra 2824 to accommodate Consignpro users who are converting to BCSS.

There are various models of the Zebra 2844, none of which are necessary for common consignment shop operations:

Zebra 2844 Thermal Printer

Zebra's LP 2844 Direct Thermal Printer offers 4-inch-wide desktop labeling with USB and 10/100 Base-T Ethernet connectivity. Print resolution is 203 dpi and flash memory is 512 KB. The warranty is 1 Year Limited covering parts and labor. Overview | Specs

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USB Memory Sticks

USB Flash Drive

A flash drive (edge memory, pen drive, memory stick) is a data storage device that plugs into the PC's USB (universal serial bus) port. Flash drives are faster than floppies, hold more data and are more reliable because they do not have moving parts. They are preferable over CDs because they can be updated whereas CDs cannot. For most consignment shops, capacity of 2GB is sufficient. Sticks may be purchased online for about $10. They are commonly used for storing data backups and for transferring data between PCs.