I was wondering if anyone had had any thoughts or experience of using Apex for a POS (Point of Sale) application. There is a thread from last Feb on a similar vein which raises some interesting issues:
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For me; the benefit would be
- Cost: As you would only be servicing a small number of users (tills) you could use Oracle XE which is free. A series of ‘tills’ in close proximity (eg along a bar) could be served from Multiplied Linux Desktops on a single machine.
- Adaptability: Other POS’s, management Kiosks or waitress stations could be wireless networked on low spec machines with just a browser.
- Usability: Touch screens, swipe cards, mini printers are all reasonably priced; there really are lots of possibilities.
- Reporting: Apex has a powerful reporting capability. Customer trends, targeted marketing and accounting reports could be done easily.
- Bespoke: Apex could be easily tailored for specific businesses.
- Supportability: If Apex is already being used internally, the support and upgrade would be covered.
The issues are.
- How to control the cash drawers
- Security
- Speed (Screen refresh times when customers are waiting)
- More than one user on a till (I’m thinking of a busy bar scenario)
- Web based applications and Touch Screens – Do they mix.
- Peripherals and Apex - e.g. Swipe cards
- Resilience / DR
I’m sure someone must have had a go at this?!
Simon