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! (Score:2)
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! (Score:1)
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 (Score:2)
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 (Score:2)
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.
--
micros (Score:1)
--
No OSI Certified Open Source (Score:2)
-russ
Re:Au Contraire, mom Frere! (Score:2)
-russ
Responses appreciated... (Score:1)
Linux ain't no POS! (Score:2)
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. (Score:1)
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.. (Score:2)
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! (Score:1)
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) (Score:1)
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