Sergio's Advice Column
Latest Posts
- How to Use An RFID Scanner with Excel To Perform A Missing Inventory Audit
- The TSP100IV SK: A Solid Linerless Sticky Receipt Printer for Cafes and Quick Service
- Exploring the TrueOrder KDS: Epson's One-Time-Buy Kitchen Display System
- Epson TrueOrder KDS - Frequently Asked Questions
- Exploring the mC-Label3: A New Industry Standard for Hybrid Receipt/Label Printers
- How to lock down your BarTender Templates - BarTender 2021 R4
- Epson Colorworks CW-C4000: Easy Color Label Printing
- What Are The Differences Between Epson Colorworks Printers
- Daytona All-In-One POS Computer Product Review - A Top-of-Line Computer at an Affordable Price
- Epson TM-M30III Thermal Receipt Printer - Should You Upgrade Your Printer?
How to use Google Cloud Print with any printer
By: Sergio - 12/26/2018
Many people have been asking for printers that support Google Cloud Print. Unfortunately there is no printer that is certified for google cloud print. The full list of supported cloud printers can be seen here: https://www.google.com/cloudprint/learn/printers/ Instead, I am going to show you how to enable this on any printer. I tested out the google cloud print in our office. You will need a google account to do this, a windows PC, and a printer with a windows driver. First step is to open your Chrome browser. Then sync your chrome browser with your Google account. At the top-right, click Pr...
Building Applications for Windows CE, Windows Mobile or Windows Embedded Handheld platforms.
By: Sergio - 5/17/2018
Looking to develop an application for a windows mobile handheld mobile computer? Please reconsider. According to Microsoft "Visual Studio versions beyond Visual Studio 2008 no longer supports the Windows CE, Windows Mobile or Windows Embedded Handheld platforms. Visual Studio 2008 or earlier versions need to be used to develop applications for for these platforms." However, Microsoft has ended support for Visual Studio 2008 and windows embedded operating systems are being phased out as well. Here are some important dates: April 10, 2018 - Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 (All editions) ...
Dinerware Hardware List
By: Sergio - 2/16/2017
Dinerware POS Software (version 3.4) Hardware Compatibility List Operating System (OS): Win7 Pro, Win7 Enterprise, Win7 Ultimate, Windows Server 2008 R2, POSReady 2009, POSReady 7, Windows 8 (workstation only) Screen: 1024x768 screen resolution Supported peripherals: RS232 Serial Printers, Ethernet IP Printers, USB Barcode Scanners, RS232 Serial Pole Displays, RS232 Serial Scales, RS232 Coin Dispensers For All-in-one touch screens these are the minimum specifications. Server Computer (Main station that has database): 1-3 stations running with the server, minimum- 2.4 GHz Dual Core CPU,...
Teklynx Labelview Network License types and Install
By: Sergio - 1/24/2017
I am going to discuss the different license types and quick installation process for deploying Teklynx Labelview Network across your network and client stations There are 4 licenses: * USB key * virtual server * perpetual keyless license * yearly subscription The two main licenses ordered is the perpetual keyless license and USB key license. According to the document: "Your software can be protected using a software key (an electronic code) or a hardware key (a dongle). Without a protection key, the program will run in “evaluation” mode. You will not be able to save and print your la...
How to print your own 'Gift Cards' for Quickbooks POS
By: Sergio - 11/17/2015
Quickbooks POS uses a gift card service that requires you to purchase gift cards from Intuit directly. This can be costly, inconvenient and has limitations. I am going to show you how to use your own gift cards (homemade, or printed professionally) with Quickbooks POS. This is done using a simple method of running them as gift certificates in the software. Here is a very detailed guide on how to do this successfully. Before you can sell a gift certificate, you need to make sure the gift certificate functionality is turned on in your QuickBooks Point of Sale. To turn on the Gift Certificate fun...
Difference between PCI and EMV compliance
By: Sergio - 9/25/2015
If understanding EMV Smart-Chip technology wasn't hard enough by itself, merchants will also have to be compliant with EMV and PCI standards. A brief look at history shows that the PCI Security Standards Council came together in 2006, administering PCI specifications throughout the industry. Card companies like Amex, Discover, JCB Intl, MasterCard and Visa agreed to incorporate the PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) as the technical requirements of each of their data security compliance programs. So what does this all mean? Simple: PCI Compliance: Was established to protec...
CL-S4000 Ticket Printer Review
By: Sergio - 8/7/2015
During a trade show event I met with Citizen at their booth showing off some of their printers. This is routine for me, manufacturers like showing off their new products to resellers with enthusiasm (sometimes exaggeration) and somewhat convincing ideas how they will revolutionize the world. There were some familiar models and a couple redesigns. One product that caught my eye specifically was the Citizen CL-S4000DT. First thing I noticed about this printer was its simple fresh design, which after looking at it for a few seconds makes me rethink everything I knew about label printers. The pri...
Disposing of POS Equipment
By: Sergio - 1/9/2015
In some states there are strict laws against dumping electronics in the trash or dumpster. I would advise checking with local laws before disposing of your point of sale equipment or cash drawers. The good thing is that there are several options you can choose from to get rid of them. Lately, I've had questions about disposal practices and if we buy them back or can dispose of them ourselves.Here are some helpful tips if you have old Point of Sale equipment that you want to get rid of. Sell it! Some equipment still holds value, especially popular legacy items like palm based handheld mobile ...
Age Verifiers
By: Sergio - 10/22/2014
Age verifiers help streamline the business by accurately finding the customer's age without taking the time to do math and hoping the card is not fake either. Certain states require this at your place of business. These are simple devices that don't need to connect to a PC. However, there have been times where some customers order an incompatible product, including age verifiers. When it comes to state ID's, there are three different ways information is encoded such as magnetic stripes, 1D barcodes and 2D barcodes. Not all age verifiers read both barcodes and magnetic stripes. Exclusively, th...
Change Printer Connection
By: Sergio - 9/19/2014
One topic I want to talk about is swappable interface cards. There are a few manufacturers that offer interchangeable connections on printers. These are commonly known as interface cards, or interface modules. Interface cards are commonly found through Epson, Star Micronics, Samsung, POS-X and a few others. Availability on these sometimes varies between different makes and models. These are used when migrating to newer systems that have different port options than what your printer is compatible with. For example, if you have an Epson printer with a Serial connection and you purchase a new com...