Bar Code Scanning

PPSS Diamond reads and writes bar-codes. Price, item number and item description are printed on sheets of labels, hang tags (or on thermal labels). Bar codes, date in, the discount schedule and disposal code are optional.

The scanners listed below have been configured to work with PPSS. They were chosen for their reliability (3-5 Year Warranties) and affordability.

XI1000 Barcode Scanner ($99)

The XI1000 is an inexpensive tethered scanner to be used at POS Stations with light use. It connects to the PC via USB. It has a 5-inch read range, a programmable tone and LED indicator. It reads all popular bar-code symbologies. 3-Yr Warranty (more)

XI3200 Barcode Scanner ($149, Hand-Free Stand $20)

The XI3200 is a tethered scanner with a reading distance of up to 14 inches. The (included) hands-free stand is almost a must at POS. Also included are the configuration software, a manual and USB cable. 5-Yr Warranty (more)

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. 3-Yr Warranty (more)

A cash register is different from a cash drawer. A cash register records sales and provides a printout at the end of the day for balancing the cash drawer. PPSS, a cash drawer and a receipt printer emulate a cash register.

All cash registers have a cash drawer. A cash drawer is simply a place to store money. A cash drawer can be used without a cash register.

PPSS uses your computer, receipt printer and a cash drawer in place of a cash register.

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 PPSS Diamond 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. It conveniently opens when a sales receipt is printed (or when the F12 key is pressed in PPSS). It has a locking drawer for storing money securely. Having a cash drawer makes a better impression on customers. (more)

XR210 Impact Receipt Printer ($259)

The XR210 is a dot-matrix (impact) printer which can print up to 3 copies of 3-inch roll receipts (with black, purple or black/red ink). It has a tearbar with an optional autocutter but does not have a takeup journal (for winding receipt copies onto a spool). The XR210 is included in the basic PPSS software/hardware bundle. (more)

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. (more)

XM95 Magnetic Stripe Reader ($79)

The XM95 is a 3-track MSR designed to read magnetically-encoded drivers licenses bi-directionally. It has a 'plug n play' USB interface - Just plug it in and scan to enter pawners' identifying information in PPSS. Velcro or Screw mounting options. OPOS/JPOS compatible. 3-year Advance Replacement Protection.

Complete Computer Systems (~$650)

PPSS speed and efficiency is only limited by a PC's storage capacity, Windows edition (XP, Vista, Windows 7), processor and 'front bus' speed, RAM and cache memory and PC 'health'. Shops with a few thousand inventory entries should have at least 512 MB of RAM for XP, 2 gigabytes 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 - 1 GB of RAM for XP (2-3 for Vista or Windows 7) - 3 GB free disk space. Laptops have slower processors (Celeron and Centrino - to avoid over heating), i.e., they run slower and may not be suitable for heavy-duty use.

Software - The Operating System

Microsoft Windows is an 'operating system' (OS). Every PC must have an operating system to run other programs and hardware. Operating systems perform basic tasks such as recognizing input from the keyboard, 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 (Service Pack 3) when purchasing a new computer, and consider reformatting a PC that has Vista and install XP. PPSS is compatible with Vista but many software users are not compatible with Vista.

Looking Ahead to Windows 7

The following are the minimum requirements for Windows 7. Vista users will surely want to dump Vista for Windows 7 and XP users will eventually lose support for XP, so purchase hardware now that has sufficient resources to run 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.

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

Simply put, your computer should be one that was 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.

Get a Dell (888-782-3355) Vostro 360 Optiplex - $15/month lease (48 months) - $506 cash (no speakers but 18.5" flat screen monitor).

Here's why you would love this machine:

• 250 GB (gigabyte) hard drive, DataBurst Cache - way more than enough disk space
• 7200 RPM Intel Core 2 Duo Processor (Laptops spin at 4500 RPMs.)
• 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz RAM Memory (plenty)
• USB Keyboard, Optical Mouse, DVD-ROM Drive
• Windows 7 Professional or XP Professional (not Vista)
• Intel Dual Core Processor, 2.93GHz Clock Speed (fast)
• 1066GHz Front Side Bus (A 'bus' connects components to the motherboard. 1066GHz is fast.)
• Dell E Series 18.5" Flat Panel 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: $18 - 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.)

Laser Printers

Together PPSS (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. Why do sophisticated laser printers sell for $40? Because profits are based in those expensive ink cartridges which contain way too little ink for the price. Cheaper and more impressive 3" receipts can be printed using a receipt printer. The printer is considerably more in price than laser-style printers but there are no costly 'ink cartridges' to continually replace.

Similarly, address and price labels and hang tags can be printed at lesser cost over the long run using (an expensive $400) thermal printer.

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 only $39.

Thermal Printers

PPSS prints 2" to 4"-wide thermal labels (adhesive and non-adhesive hang tags) - from 1" to 4" high using the Zebra 2844 LP Thermal Printer, or 2" labels with the Zebra 2824. Bar codes may be printed on labels that are 2.25" or wider.

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 Markat CC, markatcc at att.net, Toll Free 888-947-7734. We are not compensated for recommending them. We do so because they know correct labels for PPSS and will deliver the correct tags to you - very valuable service and their prices are reasonable.)

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.

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

The disadvantages of thermal labels are that they fade with age and will turn black if exposed to heat or strong sunlight - not typical concerns of consignment operations which turn inventory relatively quickly.

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

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