© Actinic Software Ltd 2006

Actinic EPOS Buyers Guide This guide is designed to provide you with detailed information on selecting the right Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) system for your business. If you still have questions, or need further advice, then call one of the Actinic EPOS specialists on 0845 129 4800.

What is an EPOS system and how does it work? An EPOS system is essentially a computerised cash register and is used for the accurate taking and recording of payment for goods. The system scans the barcodes on each product, displays the price and description on the screen and makes the appropriate charge. Because sales are processed in this way the system can also keep track of your stock, raise orders to replace actual sold stock, generate detailed reports on your business activity and work out profit margin. Most EPOS systems consist of a computer, software application, cash drawer, receipt printer, monitor, customer or pole display and an input device for data entry such as a touch screen, programmable keyboard, scanner or handheld terminal.

How will an EPOS system benefit my business?

For years, the advantages of EPOS systems have been restricted to large retailers with big budgets. But now, even the smallest retailers can take advantage of the benefits an EPOS system can deliver. Installing an EPOS system will enable you to manage your business more efficiently by saving money, gaining more control and becoming more productive.

� Through better stock control you will benefit from reduced stock holding and help the cash flow in your business.

� Improve pricing accuracy through eliminating errors at the point of sale

and save time by not having to price all goods individually.

� Improve margins by quickly identifying slow and fast moving items and price them accordingly.

� Reduce your paperwork with detailed reporting. Know where you stand

at any time of the day – your EPOS system can tell you instantly.

© Actinic Software Ltd 2006

Which EPOS system is best for my business? There are a huge range of EPOS systems available and it can be daunting at first for a small business to understand which system is going to benefit the most. The latest EPOS systems provide everything you need to operate an efficient point of service. Equipped with various features and functionality, there's an EPOS system available to suit your needs. With Actinic EPOS you can choose from a range of complete, pre-configured systems or mix and match from a range of components to build a complete and tailored system for your business. By purchasing an entire system from one supplier you will ensure all the components are compatible and work together. This is particularly important where some components cannot function in the absence of others. If you select one of the Actinic pre-configured packages you will also save on the total cost of the components compared to purchasing individually (check the Actinic price list for the latest special offers).

EPOS System Components – A Buying Guide There follows a more detailed description of the various components that make up a complete EPOS system, what you should look for and why you need each component.

Computer The central component of the EPOS system is the computer that runs the application. There are two main types of EPOS computer system; those that are integrated or those that are based on a standard personal computer. An integrated EPOS computer system houses a number of components in a compact unit. Integrated systems offer an affordable, complete solution with a host of built-in features and can range in price. An entry-level system usually provides the computer integrated with a touch screen whilst a fully integrated system can provide a computer, touch screen, customer display and a receipt printer, all in one unit. An integrated system looks neater and is compact which frees up valuable counter space at the point of sale.

Alternatively you can base your EPOS system on a standard personal computer and connect peripherals such as a printer or customer display, to suit your requirements and budget. This modular system also provides flexibility to separate the screen from the computer and lay out your point of sale in the way that best suits your needs - ideal if counter space is at a premium. The lowest cost way to build your EPOS system is to use an existing PC and purchase the software and components to connect. However, do make sure the PC meets the required specifications to avoid compatibility problems. In particular, serial interfaces are frequently required to enable the connection of peripheral devices.

Software At the heart of all Actinic EPOS systems is the Actinic EPOS electronic till software. This is an easy to use, reliable and robust EPOS application and integrates with the standard EPOS peripherals to offer a complete in-store checkout and stock control system. Which Actinic EPOS application you need depends on the number of tills and how many sites you need to cover.

Actinic EPOS Solo Provides a complete software solution for running a single till on one site.

Actinic EPOS Network Provides full back office and multi-till operation for a single site. An Actinic EPOS Network license is required for each additional till or PC at the site.

Actinic EPOS Head Office Enables any number of shop sites in any number of regions to be managed centrally with consolidated reporting and stock across all sites.

For more detailed information on the Actinic EPOS software see the separate software brochure.

© Actinic Software Ltd 2006

Touch Screen There are two main types of touch screen and Actinic can supply both options. You can choose between an integrated computer and touch screen unit (see ‘Computer’) or a standalone touch screen which is plugged directly into the computer. Many users find touch screens more intuitive and faster to use than keyboards. With virtually no training time needed, touch screen interfaces increase sales-throughput, minimise transaction times and improve customer service. Most touch screens are sleek, flat-panel LCDs - they cost more than traditional computer monitors, but they last longer, use less power and take up less space on the counter.

Keyboard For systems without a touch screen a keyboard is required for data entry. The least expensive option is to use a standard PC keyboard and mouse although there are significant benefits in using the specialist Actinic EPOS keyboard. This is a compact keyboard with keys programmed for specific item codes. It is ruggedly built for a POS environment and is smaller, faster and more reliable than a standard keyboard.

Barcode Scanner The scanner reads the barcode and sends the resulting data back to your EPOS computer, improving speed and accuracy during checkout. There are two main options for the barcode scanner – multi-line or single line and Actinic can supply both types.

A multi-line scanner can scan barcodes at any angle, which makes it quicker and more reliable. This is particularly beneficial where there is a constant flow of customers.

A single line scanner requires the barcode to be aligned with the scanner for reading. This is a less expensive option, but is also less flexible and slower than a multi-line scanner. However, ideal in situations where customer throughput is less intensive. Scanners can be operated both handheld and fixed to the counter top. In an environment where scanning of larger, bulkier products is required a handheld operation is easier and more flexible.

Receipt printer Every EPOS system needs a printer to create receipts for customers. Many EPOS systems now have specialist thermal printers that use heat sensitive paper to print receipts. These receipt printers have a small footprint and so do not take up much counter space. They are also fast, quiet and reliable because they have few moving parts.

Pole or Customer display This displays the item and price information to the customer. This will save time at the checkout and is particularly beneficial for customers who are hard of hearing or to overcome language difficulties. For some integrated till systems you will need to purchase a specific pole displays which plugs directly into the dedicated interface. Alternatively, if you are considering a PC based display you can purchase a stand-alone customer display to plug into the standard computer interface.

© Actinic Software Ltd 2006

Cash drawer Cash drawers store cash, credit card slips, gift certificates and other important paperwork. They frequently serve as a shelf for a display or other heavy pieces of equipment so look for a sturdy construction. Some cash drawers receive their signals from the receipt printer so will not function if a printer is not installed. Others can be plugged directly into the computer, but need a separate power supply. If you are building your own EPOS system it is worth checking with Actinic whether you have purchased the correct combination of components.

Other options

Chip and Pin

Actinic EPOS systems are Chip and Pin approved. By using a Chip and Pin terminal you can save time re-keying transactions into a separate PDQ terminal, speed up card transactions considerably and reduce fraud. Credit card receipts are printed on your receipt printer. In order to process transactions using Chip and Pin you will need:

� Merchant Account � Chip and Pin terminal (with a monthly service agreement) � Broadband internet connection (to process credit card transactions)

Handheld terminal The handheld terminal is a bar code scanner, keypad and a clear computer display in one compact, lightweight unit. The handheld terminal uses a wireless connection to communicate directly with the EPOS system, enabling you to scan barcodes, display and edit product prices, enter and update information directly into the EPOS database, whilst moving around the shop and stockroom.

And finally… Why not choose a system that complements your environment. If the ambience and appearance of your store are important considerations, a stylish, compact system with no trailing cables would be ideal for a clutter-free point of sale. Also, when selecting your system do bear in mind that your investment is not just about the system itself but also about the support, the development of the software and having a good relationship with your EPOS provider. The Actinic EPOS system was developed by retailers for retailers, so it should do what you want it to in the way you expect it to. You may have requirements specific to your business that are not currently catered for. If this is the case we would be pleased to discuss custom developments.