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On this page your questions regarding the optional POS hardware
that you may use with Costume Vision are addressed - all hardware
should be obtained directly from the manufacturer or an authorized
supplier.
Barcodes, Receipts, Photo Capture,
Cash Drawers and Touchscreens are all covered here, but if there is anything
you would like to know that is not discussed, please get
in contact and we will be more than happy to assist you.
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BARCODES
Reading Barcodes In Costume Vision
Costume Vision allows (but does not require) the reading of barcodes
in all relevant data input sections of the program.
Reading barcodes requires a barcode scanner. When connected to your
computer the scanner decodes the barcode and passes the information
to the computer in the same way that keystrokes are received from
your computer's keyboard - Costume Vision therefore simply receives
data identically to how it would arrive from a really fast typist.
This means that once the scanner is in place no extra configuration
of the program is needed.
Good information on the types of scanner can be found at csensors.com, although knowledge of some technical terms is assumed.
As perhaps the most used item of peripheral hardware, choosing the
right barcode scanner is important. Vision Forecasting recommends
ZBA, Inc. (previously known as ZEBEX America, Inc.) barcode scanners
for use with Costume Vision - ZBA produces an excellent range of
scanners which are durable, cost efficient and provide excellent
reading performance.
The models below are used in the development of the Costume Vision
range and thus, in tests, have given reliable results in the reading
of all barcodes produced by Costume Vision with a variety of hardware
configurations. In tests these models were even able to scan barcodes
printed with budget priced Inkjet printers.
Further information for these scanners can be found at the ZBA
web site.
The prices below represent a specially arranged discount on the
recommended retail price for users of Vision Forecasting software
and are only available by contacting ZBA directly. In order to get
these special prices you should state that you are a user of Costume
Vision when contacting ZBA.
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Z-3080
High Resolution barcode scanner
This excellent value for money
high resolution CCD barcode scanner features:
- Most economical solution
- Sleek ergonomic design
- Good read LED indicator
- Tone programmable beeper
- Wide Read window capable of reading labels up to 80mm
- 3000 pixel high resolution CCD scanner - 100 scans per second
- "No Moving Parts" makes for the most rugged choice
available
- 2 yr. warranty (1 yr. on cable).
- Interfaces available include keyboard wedge, USB, RS232 and
more
- Price $115 including cable
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Alpha-70
Long Range CCD Bar Code Reader
This Long Range CCD has specs like a handheld laser scanner, but
at half the price and by utilizing rugged CCD technology this product
can read up to 12 inches from the label. Special features include:
- Laser performance at CCD prices
- Adjustable scanner head customizes "feel" for individual
employees
- Latest design technology affords a 5 yr. warranty (1 yr. on
the cable)
- 100 scans per second, extremely aggressive reading
- Interfaces available include keyboard wedge, USB, RS232 and
more
- Can be supplied with a hands free stand
- Price: $149 including cable
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Printing Barcodes In Costume Vision
The Costume Vision barcode modules allows you to print your own
barcodes. These module works best with standard Avery (or any equivalent
brand) 30 to a page address labels - these were chosen as they are
cheap, very easily available (Office Depot and other office supplies
stores generally have them in stock at all times) and a good size
for the barcode. You simply enter a list of barcodes you wish to
print and after a preview the barcodes are sent to your printer
in the pre-configured layout.
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RECEIPTS
Printing Receipts In Costume Vision
Costume Vision has flexible options for receipt configuration and
includes several formats for use with a range of printers.
Receipt options may be configured by using the Costume Vision receipts
wizard. The wizard allows configuration of most aspects of the receipt
format and allows a very personalized receipt to be produced.
The recommended receipt printer for use with Costume Vision is the
Epson TM-T88II or the Epson TM-T88III.
For more information and links to suppliers of this printer, please
visit the Epson
site.
Epson
TM-T88II Receipt Printer
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CASH DRAWERS
Using a Cash Drawer With Costume Vision
The standard way to use a cash drawer in a POS system is either
to connect the drawer to your receipt printer (see above) or to
your computer's serial/parallel port. In the former, the drawer
is triggered by the printer each time a receipt is printed and
in the latter by Costume Vision on finishing a transaction. Almost
all receipt printers will trigger all standard cash drawers if
the drawer has the correct interface - please check with the respective
manufacturers for full compatibility details.
The recommended cash drawers for use with Costume Vision come
from the Indiana
Cash Drawer SLD series. The parallel, serial and printer interface
drawers from this series are all supported in Costume Vision.
Further information regarding these drawers, supplier information and
latest pricing can be obtained directly from Indiana
Cash Drawer.
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Indiana
Cash Drawer SLD series
The Indiana SLD series of products feature a money tray with 5
adjustable coin tills and 5 adjustable currency compartments,
dual media slots and removable rear cover. They are tested to
2 million cycles and backed by a 3-year warranty.
- Construction: Steel case; front and rear
cover of unit constructed of molded high-impact plastic.
- Suspension: Bottom mount linear bearing suspension
system.
- Color: Pearl White is standard - other colors
also available.
- Size: Available in 4 sizes at no additional
cost.
- Tray: 5IT tray without lock on cover is standard.
- Lock: 3 position, 4 function high security
tubular center key lock.
- Pricing: Please contact Indiana
Cash Drawer directly for latest pricing and supplier details.
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PHOTO CAPTURE
Capturing Photos in Costume Vision
In order to capture customer photos in Costume Vision all you will
need is a web cam. All good quality web cams when correctly installed
should work with the Costume Vision Capture module. All cameras
by reputable brands such as Creative
and Intel
should give good results.
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TOUCHSCREENS
Using touch screen technology with Costume Vision
Perhaps the ultimate luxury for use with the Costume Vision range
is a touch screen terminal. Whilst a keyboard is needed for a number
of tasks within Costume Vision, most of the standard rental and
return transactions can be done using a touch screen. Staff with
lower levels of computer knowledge often find this type of technology
far less daunting to use. No specific individual brand or model
of touchscreen is currently recommended.
Disclaimer
Vision Forecasting presents the information "as
is" as a service to its customers to help them choose hardware
for their store. No responsibility is taken for the accuracy of the
information presented and customers should verify the latest data for
the products at the respective home pages of the product's manufacturers.
The appearance of a product by a given company on this page in no
way suggests that organization endorses Costume Vision, but solely
that these products have in tests been found to provide good results
when used with the software.
Additionally, whilst these products have given good results in tests,
due to variations in performance caused, amongst other influencing
factors, by hardware configurations, Vision Forecasting accepts
no responsibility whatsoever for the malfunction of any products
shown on this page or the inability of the products shown on this
page to correctly function with Vision Forecasting software in any
individual situation.
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