Unix Based Point-of-Sale Systems?

Silent Node asks: "I am currently working for a ski and backpacking shop in Jasper, Alberta Canada (Everest Outdoor Stores). Right now all the inventory, sales system, rentals, etc. is being done the 'old fashioned' way (read: paper ledgers, circa 1980 cash register w/cryptically translated manual and 50 bytes of memory). This store is planning to computerize their POS (point-of-sale) system in the near future. I would like to advocate a Linux based solution, but don't really know what's out there." Quite a few people have been submitting questions about Linux-based point-of-sale systems, and we did touch on those waaay back in April, however now it's 2001 and to my knowledge at least one more vendor of Unix based POS systems has popped up on the radar. Are there any more options? And how have the systems mentioned in the previous article kept up with the times?"

"This is a small business (under $1,000,000 a year in inventory). This system needs customizable for both our rental and sales needs. Cost is a factor. What POS systems, and support packages are available that would fulfill our needs?"

And in a fortuitous happenstance 10 hours before press-time, swagr, who is assisting in the search for a Linux Point-of-Sale for a women's clothing store, slides in this bit of information: "I figured a Linux-based solution would be the lowest cost...so I did a search for Linux POS software and found only this. Doesn't seem like there's much to choose from. Anyone used this or heard of any open-source equivalents? Check out the (lack of) activity on the open source POS mailing list . What's your take on Linux in the retail sector?"

Au Contraire, mom Frere!

[Enry]

http://easyPOS.sourceforge.net/

POS software that's been running in a Cafe for over a year.

I'm interested in this, as the local DVD store (i.e. not Blockbuster) is still using a DOS-based POS software. His inventory is all out of sync with the actual stock, and would love a Linux solution.

Here, here!

[RichiP]

I'd love to develop the software for you (web-based, SQL-backend, three-tier, etc.) because I live in Calgary. One thing that's kept me from going at it is Interac. Practically all businesses in Alberta (Canada?) rely on Interac or on a credit card system to support payments.

I've checked it out with Interac and it seems that the only way one can hook up is by working with the merchant bank or other Interac members. Unfortunately, these institutions usually have their own POS systems that they market.

I wouldn't mind writing software if it was just Inventory, POS, etc. for pay. Then you can release it as open source. Or I write the software to release it as opensource but you agree to pay for installation and training. ;-)

Business Software

[SEWilco]

POS was also discussed in September 1999: Ask Slashdot: Business Software for Linux? [slashdot.org]

As I mentioned there, Christopher Browne's List [hex.net] is a good starting point. Note that a number of the multi-module accounting [hex.net] packages include POS modules.

Also mentioned were Samco [samco.com], and Proven Choice Accounting [provenacct.com].

Linux is being used at POS

[Rupert]

But pretty much exclusively as a host OS for Java POS systems. Home Depot are working on one such system, and Musicland had just bought a package from PCMS/Datafit before they got acquired by Best Buy.

The JavaPOS standard for POS peripherals is pretty well supported now, so I expect to see a lot of POS software vendors heading in the direction of Java in the near future.

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micros

[Baloo Ursidae]

When I worked for Metro Regional Government [metro-region.org] at the Oregon Zoo [oregonzoo.org], I discovered that micros [micros.com] makes flat panel touch screen POS terms [micros.com] (the black panel barely identifiable in the poor maretroid picture) using some form of embedded X for the UI. Worked on the user end of those every day for about a year before I got a job in tech support...

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No OSI Certified Open Source

[Russ Nelson]

There's no Open Source Linux POS software that I'm aware of. The LinuxPOS from LinuxCanada is a binary demo.
-russ

Re:Au Contraire, mom Frere!

[Russ Nelson]

It's not usable with a touchscreen.
-russ

Responses appreciated...

[Silent Node]

Thanks for the responses. One of my problems is that while I may be interested in building my own, I don't think the store would be willing to invest in that. I'm just out here taking an X amount of time away from doing network support (being a ski bum, etc), but the store can't always count on having someone in their employ who would be able to manipulate/customize a Linux program. For this reason it is important that there be a way for them to get ongoing support. I took a look at OneSystem [onesystem.com] and have asked them for further info, it looks promising. More ideas are welcome, SUPPORT is a major issue, that's going to be the tough sell if I bring the owners a Linux based solution.

Linux ain't no POS!

[lizrd]

I think that most people around here would absolutely insist that Open Source is by it's very nature not a POS and that if you really wanted Piece Of Shit software you'd have to go and talk to Microsoft. :) What an unfortunate overlap in TLAs.

To be more serious, I don't think that it would be all that difficult to create a custom QT interface that would access an SQL database which could be stored either at the cash register or somewhere and queried via the network. There are several companies that sell barcode scanners with a serial interface if you need that to help automate data entry.
_____________

Build your own.

[FoxIVX]

Should be super easy to do with a web server running apache and mod/perl, with a mysql database. You could hand enter the purchases on a web page, or use links for each item. Or, even better, you could use a :cue:cat to scan them in, and even print out your own barcodes.

I started a project like this a while ago, but didn't have time to get it running. I think I babbled about it for a bit on my open source website, www.dontpokebadgers.com All the parts are out there for this system, someone just needs to put them all together.

-Josh

This seems oddly familiar..

[d.valued]

One of the big problems with the adoption of linux is the lack of applications.

How does it go..?

Oh yeah.

The example I saw was an open-source tax software program. Now, if a lot of hackers got together, it would probably work.

Devil's in the details, though. There are myriad forms which need conform to specific guidelines, tax computation tables, allowances, deductions, electronic transmission protocols, the ease of use, ad infinitum, ad nauseum.

No group of hacks, no matter how dedicated, would be willing (or, more likely, able) to write a program whose guts may have to be completely reshaped in less than a year's time.

Not to mention that it has to be tested and has to be completely in complience with the law, giving every possible deduction to people...

One of the reasons I'm not prepping taxes this year. Maybe Junior's tax scam will help (j/k).

Ruling The World, One Moron At A Time(tm)
"As Kosher As A Bacon-Cheeseburger"(tmp)

Re:Here, here!

[dadragon]

One thing that's kept me from going at it is Interac. Practically all businesses in Alberta (Canada?) rely on Interac or on a credit card system to support payments.

Yep. Canada. In Saskatchewan and Manatoba at least we use interac. I usually only carry about $5 in cash on me for emergencies... gotta love cheap debit cards :)

Linux ISP Billing Packages (Somewhat offtopic)

[nick_patt]

I know this isn't directly related to the post, however deserves mention. I am doing contract work for our local ISP. He's expanding and needs a billing system to scale with his expansion. We went with a really nice package called:

Billmax [billmax.com]

which requires purchasing a user license. Another package (GPL'd, but not quite as "bells and whistles" complete) is:

Freeside [sisd.com]

Anyways, I hope that helps some people. Who knows, Freeside may even be flexible enough to be a POS system.

nick