Point Of Sale (POS)
- Point of Sale (POS) terminals are a computerised system used at checkout counters to process transactions and manage inventory
- Essential part of retail checkout counters
- Process transactions and calculate total amounts due
- Utilise barcode scanners, touch screens, and receipt printers
- Functions of POS terminals:
- Update stock files automatically
- Track inventory levels in real-time
- Prevent stock discrepancies and ensure accurate records
- Order new stock automatically
- Monitor inventory levels and reorder when stock is low
- Streamline supply chain management and minimise stockouts
- Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale (EFTPOS) terminals:
- Enable customers to make payments using credit/debit cards
- Part of a secure transaction system
- Functions of EFTPOS terminals:
- Check the validity of cards
- Ensure cards are active and not expired
- Reduce the risk of fraud
- Use of chip and PIN
- Enhance security with two-factor authentication
- Require customers to enter a personal identification number (PIN)
- Use of contactless cards
- Allow for faster transactions
- Enable customers to tap their card on the terminal
- Use of Near Field Communication (NFC) payment
- Facilitate payments through smartphones and other devices
- Increase convenience for customers
- Communication between supermarket computer and bank computer
- Share transaction details securely
- Enable instant payment processing and verification
Worked example
Modern supermarkets have automated stock control systems, which use data from the checkouts.
Describe how food items can be ordered by an automated stock control system so they are delivered before the stock in the supermarket runs out.
[4]
4 of:
Each item is scanned/bar code is read at the POS terminal [1]
Bar code is searched in the database [1]
The quantity of products is reduced [1]
The stock database is updated [1]
When the minimum stock number/level/reorder level is reached [1]
Reads re-order quantity [1]
Goods flagged as ordered [1]
The automated stock system sends a signal to the warehouse computer to order new items [1]
The warehouse sends the items to the supermarket [1]
Re-order quantity is found in the database [1]
Flags removed [1]
The stock control system updates the stock levels in the stock control database with the new stock [1]
