best POS workstation?

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JeffreyPrice

JeffreyPrice

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Jan 10, 2008
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Norwalk, CT
We're finally switching over to Lifesaver and putting computer terminals at our frame counter. I'm looking for the most attractive and useful workstation to use while pricing orders for the customers. I have a Dell laptop, but it seems something smaller would be nice, but not so small that you can't see the screen. Perhaps only a screen and a small keyboard, with a tower below? It seems we are all traveling blind into the digital age and I'd like to gather what help I can.
 
There's a nice SMALL one on sale today, including a 19" LCD screen, for $399 This would be sufficient for a single PC installation or as a client/slave workstation. The PC (and maybe even the keyboard) can be hidden below the counter. The monitor is small.

149


Dell Small Business has their Dell Vostro 200 Slim Tower with Dell 19 inch Widescreen E198WFP and Dual Core E2160 @ 1.8Ghz, 1GB/160GB, DVD-ROM, XP Home or Vista Home Basic, 1yr warranty w/Next Business Day Onsite Service for $399. Free shipping.

If you will have a couple pc's networked, this one might be a better choice to use as the primary PC. It also comes with 2 monitors and a dual monitor video card, if you plan to get visualization

Dell Small Business currently has the Vostro 400 Mini Tower configured with Two 19" LCDs for a low $699 with free shipping.
Configured with Core 2 Duo E4500 @ 2.20GHz, 2GB, 250GB, DVD±RW, 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8300GS, Vista Home Basic or XP Home.
If you plan to use visualization, I strongly suggest choosing XP instead of Vista.

Happy Shopping!
Mike

PS: Don't forget to get about 7 usb flash drives (1gb or larger are about $10 each at any local office supply store), for your daily backup rotation.
 
Lifesaver Networking

I recently purchased Lifesaver and am using it on one computer in the design area. I would like to buy a 2nd computer and network it so I can use Lifesaver on both systems.

Question - When buying a new computer, do I need to upgrade to the following???

Genuine Windows Vista® Business
Dell Recommended
Networking and backup functionality designed for businesses

I have been looking into this for a few weeks but was not sure what to do, so any help or direction in this area would be helpful.
 
If your primary PC has Windows XP, I suggest getting the same for the second one. If the first has Vista, then Vista will be fine for the second.

If you don't already have a router, I suggest installing one of these to your dsl, fios, or cablemodem. This allows you to connect several computers to a single feed, and to share your files between them. The linksys WRT54g is about $49 at any office supply store. You'll need a get a second workstation/client license from LifeSaver as well. The yearly fees don't go up for additional workstation(s).

There's a tips and trick guide in this forum to help you set up the router and networking, as well as in the official manual.

Mike
 
The only exception is if you plan to use FrameVue with the new machine - then you will want to use XP.

Existing Canon cameras don't talk well with Vista, because Canon hasn't (and doesnt plan to) release third party driver support. They're only doing so for the more expensive EOS series.

Mike
 
Joanie, be sure to maintain an off-site backup, too! :)
 
That would be a start.

Putting everything on ONE flash drive isn't a great idea either, IMO. (all the eggs in one basket theory) Here are some scenarios to explain why I think so:

a) Let's imagine you forget to remove it one night, and then a lightning storm hits a pole miles away. The power surge would likely fry your computer, as well as the only backup you have. (because it would still be connected to the computer, it might get the same ZAP) Having more than one forces you to switch them out, so they're not accidentally left in the machine.

b) Your computer gets hit with a destructive virus that erases both the POS AND the contents of the flash drive. This happens in seconds.

c) A disgruntled employee could take the only chip and delete your records.

d) A break-in, where they take the computer and your only backup.

I'm not saying any of this will happen, but it could! It's worth of consideration, imo. The flash drives are extremely inexpensive, and easy to use.

We keep our daily backups (a rotation of 6 flash drives for each day of the week that we are open) on site. They have each day of the week written on them, and this forces us to change them daily.

Every Saturday, I upload the full lifesaver and accounting folders to the home pc (with remote control software).

At the first of the month, we also burn a CDR (about a nickle) with the pos folder, and all word/excel/accounting documents. That goes home as well, and goes in a fireproof safe.

Maybe i'm too careful? ha

Mike
 
Here's a daily deal for flash drives, to go along with the above discussion:

Buy.com has the Kingston 2GB DataTraveler 100 USB2.0 Flash Drive for a low $10.95. (regular $34) Free shipping. Tax only in CA, MA, TN.

I suggest one for each day of the week that you are open. In our shop, we use a rotation of 6 - since we are open Monday-Saturday.

Mike
 
It would appear that if you haven't yet set up a Google Checkout, that you could get $10.00 Off the above flash drive for a final cost of only .95 cents. I must be doing something wrong though, as when I get to the check out screen it wants to charge me .95 cents plus shipping, which wipes out most of the $10.00 savings. Does the Free Shipping go away if you use the $10.00 discount?:shrug:
 
The free shipping probably has a minimum amount. If you increase the quantity of units, I bet it stays.

Mike
 
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