Build Your Own System
You do not have to spend $2,000 to $5,000 on a POS system. It is easy to build it yourself and you will save a bundle!
Best Seller is often sold as a "build it yourself" system. Putting together a point of sale package is much easier than you may think and can save you a small fortune. We routinely get calls from retailers who have been quoted between $2,000 and $5,000 dollars for one standalone package, yet the hardware components are all items which you can buy at wholesale prices if you shop on the web. Most people who own a home computer already have the skills needed to set up a system or have a friend who can help. VMT can also put together an affordable system if you want everything from one source.
A POS system is basically a Windows computer with some simple devices connected to it like a invoice printer, bar code scanner, cash drawer etc. These devices all connect to an, off-the-shelf PC. The manner in which they connect is not any more complicated than other PC hardware. The classic starter kit looks like this:
Computer
Any Windows computer ($300 to $1000). These are available anywhere and VMT Software does not sell them.
Printer
A Star TSP100 or other invoice printer ($200 to $250). This is not necessary if you only want to print invoices and statements - those will print on an ordinary printer (see next item).
Any inkjet or laser printer to print invoices, statements, reports, price tags and bar code labels ($100 to $300).
Cash Drawer
An automatic cash drawer ($100 to $150).
Barcode Scanner
A barcode scanner ($150 for a basic model, up to $250 for a laser. This plugs into a USB port with no other system setups required in Best Seller.
When you are ready for some more advanced functions you can add:
Video Register Display
Our Video Register Display, for the card and screen $180-$300.00. This is much better than a standard pole display. It uses a standard LCD monitor, or a wide screen monitor for more effect.
Credit Card Processing
On-screen credit card and debit card processing, the software is free and works with Best Seller. X-Charge Credit Card Processing - Best Seller supports this popular payment gateway. It processes credit or debit card transactions very quickly. Services are available in the USA and Canada only.
As you can see it is possible to create a professional POS system for as little as $1500 including the software!
Point Of Sale Computer
Any computer that can run Windows will run Best Seller. If you have more than 5000 SKUs in your inventory then you will want a faster computer i.e. anything built within the last 2 years with 500 megabytes of RAM (2 Gigabytes if you use Vista or Windows 7).
Ink Jet or Laser Printer - Any that works with Windows
Optional
Touch-screen Computer
Best Seller is Touch -screen ready! We offer a all-in-one touch-screen that sells for about $1250.00.
Receipt Printer
POS Receipt Printer - this is a must in stores where customers expect a standard 3 inch sales receipt. Good choices are the Star Micronics TSP100, or POS-X. Most invoice printers have a cash drawer connector on the back.
Point Of Sale Cash Drawer
Automatic Cash Drawer - any type will work but the simpler the better. We recommend one with an RJ12 plug so that it can connect to the back of a receipt printer. How do you recognize an RJ12 plug? It looks like a telephone plug but twice as big.
Point Of Sale Barcode Scanner
Barcode Scanner - Best Seller will let you scan at any point where a stock code is wanted. Once again, any type of scanner will work but the simpler the better. There are three major types. LCD, Laser and Linier Imaging. VMT finds the Linier imaging to be the best all around.
Point Of Sale Barcode Label Printer
Barcode Printer - With Best Seller you can use any printer to print barcodes on standard Avery label sizes. For those who need to print large numbers of barcode labels every day we support the Zebra LP2824.
Credit Card Processing
X-Charge Credit Card Processing - Best Seller supports this popular payment gateway. It processes credit or debit card transactions very quickly and offers the retailer an easy way to implement a gift card program. Services are available in the USA and Canada only.
Internet
Internet Hookup - The internet is also a great way to do credit card approvals.
Point Of Sale Customer Pole Display
Video Register Pole Display - This device will show your customers what item is being checked out, the total due and the change owing. Between sales it will display sales or greeting messages of your own design, it can even run flash files!. Requires a video card for two monitors and a second monitor.
Point Of Sale Credit Card Reader
Credit Card Reader - This is a must for credit card and gift card processing. These can be connected to the same as the barcode reader mentioned above to your USB port (make sure you get the type that does not require drivers).
Best Seller is often sold as a "build it yourself" system. Putting together a point of sale package is much easier than you may think and can save you a small fortune. We routinely get calls from retailers who have been quoted between $2,000 and $5,000 dollars for one standalone package, yet the hardware components are all items which you can buy at wholesale prices if you shop on the web. Most people who own a home computer already have the skills needed to set up a system or have a friend who can help. VMT can also put together an affordable system if you want everything from one source.
A POS system is basically a Windows computer with some simple devices connected to it like a invoice printer, bar code scanner, cash drawer etc. These devices all connect to an, off-the-shelf PC. The manner in which they connect is not any more complicated than other PC hardware. The classic starter kit looks like this:
Computer
Any Windows computer ($300 to $1000). These are available anywhere and VMT Software does not sell them.
Printer
A Star TSP100 or other invoice printer ($200 to $250). This is not necessary if you only want to print invoices and statements - those will print on an ordinary printer (see next item).
Any inkjet or laser printer to print invoices, statements, reports, price tags and bar code labels ($100 to $300).
Cash Drawer
An automatic cash drawer ($100 to $150).
Barcode Scanner
A barcode scanner ($150 for a basic model, up to $250 for a laser. This plugs into a USB port with no other system setups required in Best Seller.
When you are ready for some more advanced functions you can add:
Video Register Display
Our Video Register Display, for the card and screen $180-$300.00. This is much better than a standard pole display. It uses a standard LCD monitor, or a wide screen monitor for more effect.
Credit Card Processing
On-screen credit card and debit card processing, the software is free and works with Best Seller. X-Charge Credit Card Processing - Best Seller supports this popular payment gateway. It processes credit or debit card transactions very quickly. Services are available in the USA and Canada only.
As you can see it is possible to create a professional POS system for as little as $1500 including the software!
The Minimum System Requirements
Point Of Sale Computer
Any computer that can run Windows will run Best Seller. If you have more than 5000 SKUs in your inventory then you will want a faster computer i.e. anything built within the last 2 years with 500 megabytes of RAM (2 Gigabytes if you use Vista or Windows 7).
Ink Jet or Laser Printer - Any that works with Windows
Optional
Touch-screen ComputerBest Seller is Touch -screen ready! We offer a all-in-one touch-screen that sells for about $1250.00.
Receipt Printer
POS Receipt Printer - this is a must in stores where customers expect a standard 3 inch sales receipt. Good choices are the Star Micronics TSP100, or POS-X. Most invoice printers have a cash drawer connector on the back.
Point Of Sale Cash Drawer
Automatic Cash Drawer - any type will work but the simpler the better. We recommend one with an RJ12 plug so that it can connect to the back of a receipt printer. How do you recognize an RJ12 plug? It looks like a telephone plug but twice as big.
Point Of Sale Barcode Scanner
Barcode Scanner - Best Seller will let you scan at any point where a stock code is wanted. Once again, any type of scanner will work but the simpler the better. There are three major types. LCD, Laser and Linier Imaging. VMT finds the Linier imaging to be the best all around.
Point Of Sale Barcode Label Printer
Barcode Printer - With Best Seller you can use any printer to print barcodes on standard Avery label sizes. For those who need to print large numbers of barcode labels every day we support the Zebra LP2824.
Credit Card Processing
X-Charge Credit Card Processing - Best Seller supports this popular payment gateway. It processes credit or debit card transactions very quickly and offers the retailer an easy way to implement a gift card program. Services are available in the USA and Canada only.
Internet
Internet Hookup - The internet is also a great way to do credit card approvals.
Point Of Sale Customer Pole Display
Video Register Pole Display - This device will show your customers what item is being checked out, the total due and the change owing. Between sales it will display sales or greeting messages of your own design, it can even run flash files!. Requires a video card for two monitors and a second monitor.
Point Of Sale Credit Card Reader
Credit Card Reader - This is a must for credit card and gift card processing. These can be connected to the same as the barcode reader mentioned above to your USB port (make sure you get the type that does not require drivers).