A CPU, motherboard and memory will form the PC unit of the POS Hardware bundle, with the combination of POS input device like POS keyboard, smart card or credit card reader and barcode scanner; and output device, like customer pole display, LCD screen or touch screen, and receipt printer, all bundle together to form a proper Point of Sale machine.
Most POS vendor would provide PC POS solution to their customer for the low cost and high availability of hardware replacement. However, this would open the opportunity for other vendors to compete, although you can get any components easily, but your customer will be able to look for the same source, and they will not rely on you to provide the support and services.
The better solution is using a point of sale terminal, a truly integrated solution with proper hardware mounting, all 3 units are tightly integrated together, saving spaces and eliminates the messy wiring! Most of the integrated POS terminals are expensive, the needs of better and cheaper solutions are in the market.
Types of Point of Sale Hardware Systems
Retail POS Hardware and Restaurant POS Hardware are almost the same, but differentiate by the touch screen and software that manage the business. See below for detail description.
Retail Point of Sale Hardware and System
For single terminal, only 1 set of POS hardware needed, including a proper LCD display, the CPU unit, pole display, receipt printer, barcode scanner, card reader and POS keyboard. For multiple terminals, additional PC server will be needed to consolidate all sales data and provide more sophisticate reporting to management.
Restaurant Point of Sale Hardware and System
There are two main components in restaurant pos hardware and system, the front desk and the back kitchen. The front desk will have a touch screen pos system that receive order and send the order to the back kitchen, and a receipt printer at the kitchen will print the order for the chef.
Depending on the software design, some will support remote data transferring back to the HQ for sales consolidation and control.
Cheap Point of Sale Hardware
One of the best ways to get an integrated point of sale terminal is through used hardware. Some vendors or POS hardware store might have such a solution, however, used point of sale hardware is always a bit old and outdated, might not be suitable to run the new software, and you might need to live with the older software and using the older management method provided by the software!
Do you know that EInspire POStar series with a matching price of normal PC POS, also allows you to rebrand the machine together with your point of sale solution? Not only provide the professional sense and compactness, it help you promote your brand in the market with a minimum price!
Quickbooks Point of Sale Hardware
POStar series are fully compatible with Quickbooks point of sale hardware requirement, and the customizable touch screen allows you to extend your market from retail into restaurant, food and beverages industries, and you can easily rebrand the hardware to your own name.
If you want rebrandable POS hardware solution for your company, feel free to visit our website: http://www.e-inspirecomputer.com, we provides all kind of customizable Point of Sale Terminal at the very affordable price, visit our website: POS Terminal for more information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Polish
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Decorative Cabinet Hardware (i.e. Handles And Knobs For The Rest Of Us)
Adding or replacing decorative cabinet hardware is one of the easiest facelifts you could possibly do for your cabinets.
If your cabinets are in pretty good shape, and not too dated, changing pulls or knobs is an easy thing to do. You'll need to invest $100 to $300 on average to replace all the pulls and knobs in your kitchen (figuring 25-30 or so pulls or knobs).
If you cabinets look really old, brand new decorative cabinet hardware might stand out like a sore thumb. Depending on the situation, though, you could add rustic pulls or knobs to your cabinets, and they'd still look good (and would fit right in).
Your cabinets might also just need a good cleaning to get them sparkling again.
If you are starting fresh, and don't already have pull or knob holes in your doors or drawer fronts (good for you!), the choices are almost endless. You can get 3" center pulls, or knobs, or 96mm, or 128mm, or just about anything you want.
Keep in mind though, that handles with 3" centers are the most common decorative cabinet hardware that there is. If you ever want to change handles in the future, there will certainly be tons of choices. If you go with, say 128mm handles, your future choices for handles will be limited, because you'll have to get 128mm handles again. Also, these handles are larger (longer) than normal, so cost more. For example, a 128mm handle in stainless steel could cost $13 or more, where the same handle with a 3" center could be $5 or less. Finish is also a factor in your cost. Stainless steel will cost much more than a nickel finish, but will look almost identical.
Replacing What You've Got
If you already have pulls, knobs (or both) then you must keep that in mind when choosing hardware. You have some alternatives, but you may be limited.
If you have pulls, measure the distance from mid-point to mid-point of each hole. This will give you the size pull you will need. You will often find they are 3" centers.
If they are 3" centers, you are in luck, because you will find most styles of decorative cabinet hardware are available with 3" centers.
If you have a measurement other than 3", you can look for that size. It may be difficult to find pulls that fit those holes. If you do find something in that measurement, it might not be the style you like.
What You Can Do if You Have Odd Sized Holes or Need to Cover the Holes Left by Previous Handles
Add a back-plate to your door or drawer front before you put your pull or knob on. You can simply drill new holds that work for your new handles (usually 3/8" holes are what you need to drill, sometimes 1/4"). In this way, no one will see the old holes because they will be covered up by the back-plate.
Another easy alternative is to put two knobs where the pull holes were. With this option, you are only limited in the knob's diameter. You will want to make sure the knobs aren't so big that they will be touching each other when you put them on.
STYLE! What's available in Decorative Cabinet Hardware?
Recent years have seen a surge in sleek, new styling. There are literally thousands of styles of pulls, knobs, and back-plates to choose from.
Anything from contemporary to rustic, colored or clear glass to solid brass.
You will also find several choices in theme-based hardware. There are several choices for children's rooms, hunting themes, fishing, bugs, butterflies, frogs, and stones to name a few.
There are even pulls out there (from Amerock) that look like knives, forks, and spoons.
Popular Finishes to Choose from Include:
Oil Rubbed Bronze
Polished Brass or Chrome
Brushed, Satin, or Sterling Nickel
Brushed Brass
Flat Black
Antique English (a bronze looking finish)
Wrought Iron
Weathered Nickel
Rustic Bronze
Burnished Bronze
Copper
Pewter
Stainless Steel
Champagne
Anodized Aluminum
Ceramic and Ceramic Crackle Finishes (be careful - ceramic looks nice, but will crack very easily)
There are several other decorative cabinet hardware finishes to choose from too, including solid colors and several actual woods, finished and unfinished.
Some brand names that manufacture good and reasonably priced hardware include:
Amerock
Belwith-Keeler
Epco
Stanley
Wood Technology
What's This Going to Cost?
The cost will vary as much as how many styles are out there.
You might find small knobs for as little as $2.00 or less a piece.
Several pulls fall into the $3.00 to $6.00 range for each pull.
If you are going for a contemporary, sleek European style, where the pulls can be as long as 12" or more, you may pay $25.00 or more for each pull.
Some glass knobs and pulls can also run you into some money, from the low teens to as high as $40.00 each.
Pulls for appliances (appliance pulls - that are used if you have a wooden insert over your appliance and basically need a handle for it) can be quite costly as well, over $20.00 on up (but they are very large and long).
Reminder
Be sure to count each door and drawer front you have, twice. You'd be upset with yourself if you ordered your pulls or knobs online or made a special trip to the hardware store, just to find you are short one pull or knob! It's been done!!
Where to Get Decorative Cabinet Hardware
Online is a very convenient place to get hardware. Home improvement stores carry decorative cabinet hardware, but it may actually cost you more to get hardware there, and they won't have as big of a selection as online stores.
You may even be lucky enough to find just what you're looking for at your local thrift store. If you can, you'll no doubt save money, but most likely won't get good quality products.
Amerock hardware (and almost every good company has this guarantee for many of their hardware products), has several handles and knobs that have what they call their Guardian Finish. It is a lifetime guarantee on your hardware finish to never tarnish, or they replace the hardware free of charge.
If you enjoy garage-saling or auctions, you may find something there. Usually though, when you use those types of venues, you will be very limited in your choices and only find a few of what you need.
In my experience, the best place to purchase hardware is either online or at your local home-center. If you really want to see and feel your handles before you purchase them, go to your home-center and pick something out. If you have the time, write down who manufactures the hardware, its product number, and then check out prices on the internet. You'll no doubt find the same product for less over the internet.
Bottom Line: Get what you Love
The possibilities for decorate cabinet hardware are endless. Look for hardware that is not only practical and will last a long time, but that you also fall in love with and enjoy!!
And remember - HAVE A HAPPY KITCHEN!!
About the Author:
Crystal co-owned a custom cabinet shop for 14 years (1992-2006). She is now a stay-at-home mom who writes on the web, sharing all that she's learned from her years building and installing kitchen cabinets.
If your cabinets are in pretty good shape, and not too dated, changing pulls or knobs is an easy thing to do. You'll need to invest $100 to $300 on average to replace all the pulls and knobs in your kitchen (figuring 25-30 or so pulls or knobs).
If you cabinets look really old, brand new decorative cabinet hardware might stand out like a sore thumb. Depending on the situation, though, you could add rustic pulls or knobs to your cabinets, and they'd still look good (and would fit right in).
Your cabinets might also just need a good cleaning to get them sparkling again.
If you are starting fresh, and don't already have pull or knob holes in your doors or drawer fronts (good for you!), the choices are almost endless. You can get 3" center pulls, or knobs, or 96mm, or 128mm, or just about anything you want.
Keep in mind though, that handles with 3" centers are the most common decorative cabinet hardware that there is. If you ever want to change handles in the future, there will certainly be tons of choices. If you go with, say 128mm handles, your future choices for handles will be limited, because you'll have to get 128mm handles again. Also, these handles are larger (longer) than normal, so cost more. For example, a 128mm handle in stainless steel could cost $13 or more, where the same handle with a 3" center could be $5 or less. Finish is also a factor in your cost. Stainless steel will cost much more than a nickel finish, but will look almost identical.
Replacing What You've Got
If you already have pulls, knobs (or both) then you must keep that in mind when choosing hardware. You have some alternatives, but you may be limited.
If you have pulls, measure the distance from mid-point to mid-point of each hole. This will give you the size pull you will need. You will often find they are 3" centers.
If they are 3" centers, you are in luck, because you will find most styles of decorative cabinet hardware are available with 3" centers.
If you have a measurement other than 3", you can look for that size. It may be difficult to find pulls that fit those holes. If you do find something in that measurement, it might not be the style you like.
What You Can Do if You Have Odd Sized Holes or Need to Cover the Holes Left by Previous Handles
Add a back-plate to your door or drawer front before you put your pull or knob on. You can simply drill new holds that work for your new handles (usually 3/8" holes are what you need to drill, sometimes 1/4"). In this way, no one will see the old holes because they will be covered up by the back-plate.
Another easy alternative is to put two knobs where the pull holes were. With this option, you are only limited in the knob's diameter. You will want to make sure the knobs aren't so big that they will be touching each other when you put them on.
STYLE! What's available in Decorative Cabinet Hardware?
Recent years have seen a surge in sleek, new styling. There are literally thousands of styles of pulls, knobs, and back-plates to choose from.
Anything from contemporary to rustic, colored or clear glass to solid brass.
You will also find several choices in theme-based hardware. There are several choices for children's rooms, hunting themes, fishing, bugs, butterflies, frogs, and stones to name a few.
There are even pulls out there (from Amerock) that look like knives, forks, and spoons.
Popular Finishes to Choose from Include:
Oil Rubbed Bronze
Polished Brass or Chrome
Brushed, Satin, or Sterling Nickel
Brushed Brass
Flat Black
Antique English (a bronze looking finish)
Wrought Iron
Weathered Nickel
Rustic Bronze
Burnished Bronze
Copper
Pewter
Stainless Steel
Champagne
Anodized Aluminum
Ceramic and Ceramic Crackle Finishes (be careful - ceramic looks nice, but will crack very easily)
There are several other decorative cabinet hardware finishes to choose from too, including solid colors and several actual woods, finished and unfinished.
Some brand names that manufacture good and reasonably priced hardware include:
Amerock
Belwith-Keeler
Epco
Stanley
Wood Technology
What's This Going to Cost?
The cost will vary as much as how many styles are out there.
You might find small knobs for as little as $2.00 or less a piece.
Several pulls fall into the $3.00 to $6.00 range for each pull.
If you are going for a contemporary, sleek European style, where the pulls can be as long as 12" or more, you may pay $25.00 or more for each pull.
Some glass knobs and pulls can also run you into some money, from the low teens to as high as $40.00 each.
Pulls for appliances (appliance pulls - that are used if you have a wooden insert over your appliance and basically need a handle for it) can be quite costly as well, over $20.00 on up (but they are very large and long).
Reminder
Be sure to count each door and drawer front you have, twice. You'd be upset with yourself if you ordered your pulls or knobs online or made a special trip to the hardware store, just to find you are short one pull or knob! It's been done!!
Where to Get Decorative Cabinet Hardware
Online is a very convenient place to get hardware. Home improvement stores carry decorative cabinet hardware, but it may actually cost you more to get hardware there, and they won't have as big of a selection as online stores.
You may even be lucky enough to find just what you're looking for at your local thrift store. If you can, you'll no doubt save money, but most likely won't get good quality products.
Amerock hardware (and almost every good company has this guarantee for many of their hardware products), has several handles and knobs that have what they call their Guardian Finish. It is a lifetime guarantee on your hardware finish to never tarnish, or they replace the hardware free of charge.
If you enjoy garage-saling or auctions, you may find something there. Usually though, when you use those types of venues, you will be very limited in your choices and only find a few of what you need.
In my experience, the best place to purchase hardware is either online or at your local home-center. If you really want to see and feel your handles before you purchase them, go to your home-center and pick something out. If you have the time, write down who manufactures the hardware, its product number, and then check out prices on the internet. You'll no doubt find the same product for less over the internet.
Bottom Line: Get what you Love
The possibilities for decorate cabinet hardware are endless. Look for hardware that is not only practical and will last a long time, but that you also fall in love with and enjoy!!
And remember - HAVE A HAPPY KITCHEN!!
About the Author:
Crystal co-owned a custom cabinet shop for 14 years (1992-2006). She is now a stay-at-home mom who writes on the web, sharing all that she's learned from her years building and installing kitchen cabinets.
Door Hardware - An Overview Of Door Hardware In The 21 Century
The façade of your house is your image to the rest of the world. From the color of the paint to your style of siding, how your lawn is kept or the door hardware you use. When someone comes to the door they can be greeted by a myriad of entry possibilities.
Be it your exterior door hardware or your interior it counts toward style points with your guests and shows your taste and what kind of person you are. From pocket door hardware and sliding door hardware to garage door hardware. The one key exception is in regards to pocket door hardware.
Pocket door hardware is functional and has no bearing on physical appearance. The pocket door hardware includes rails of metal or plastic with rollers or casters that allows the door to glide into and out of an extended wall on either side to seal off a room. The pocket door hardware can be cheap or expensive. The expensive side allows your doors to remain steady and glide shut easily whereas the cheaper will have you seeing your door sag and be tougher to pull shut.
The inlay handles are the one part of pocket door hardware that is decorative. You can get them in silver, gold and plastic. The metal pocket door hardware is able to be etched or engraved which is recommended if you want some style.
Sliding door hardware is slightly less hard to get hold of than that of pocket doors. Their located near the back of the house, leading out to the pool or the deck. The sliding door hardware is primarily a sturdy plastic but it doesn’t have to be. It can be replaced with metal of aluminum or you can go high hog and get silver or gold.
Does the sliding door hardware keep the door snug to frame or away from it? Does it hang, suspended or firmly attached? Does the sliding door hardware allow your door to glide softly or squeak in pain when you close it? Choose sliding door hardware based on these thoughts as well as money you wish to spend.
Garage door hardware is often times overlooked, but depending on your style of house it’s one of the first things people see when coming to visit. Besides the usual garage door hardware we have to have such as a motor, metal beams and the sort. They’re useful to shop for when you need your door to close smoothly but the look doesn’t matter as long as it functions.
The exterior garage door hardware, like the sliding door or pocket door is overlooked. Choosing from handles of aluminum, gold or silver or simple twist knobs to turn and pull open the door also in the styled metals.
The real style points come from the exterior door hardware. Choosing from gold or silver, from knobs to push unlocks. The choices are varied and can sometimes be hard to decide on. Besides the regular door hardware you can select to have knockers affixed along with your door knobs for added flare. This door hardware is not only fun but classical. The lion’s head is a popular favorite but your regular etched door hardware as a knocker will work just as well and be eye-catching.
Rob Hargreaves - An American Locksmith working for NYC Locksmith Company, Mr-Locks Inc. For more information on installation and repairs of security doors, interior doors, exterior doors, call Mr-Locks now.
Be it your exterior door hardware or your interior it counts toward style points with your guests and shows your taste and what kind of person you are. From pocket door hardware and sliding door hardware to garage door hardware. The one key exception is in regards to pocket door hardware.
Pocket door hardware is functional and has no bearing on physical appearance. The pocket door hardware includes rails of metal or plastic with rollers or casters that allows the door to glide into and out of an extended wall on either side to seal off a room. The pocket door hardware can be cheap or expensive. The expensive side allows your doors to remain steady and glide shut easily whereas the cheaper will have you seeing your door sag and be tougher to pull shut.
The inlay handles are the one part of pocket door hardware that is decorative. You can get them in silver, gold and plastic. The metal pocket door hardware is able to be etched or engraved which is recommended if you want some style.
Sliding door hardware is slightly less hard to get hold of than that of pocket doors. Their located near the back of the house, leading out to the pool or the deck. The sliding door hardware is primarily a sturdy plastic but it doesn’t have to be. It can be replaced with metal of aluminum or you can go high hog and get silver or gold.
Does the sliding door hardware keep the door snug to frame or away from it? Does it hang, suspended or firmly attached? Does the sliding door hardware allow your door to glide softly or squeak in pain when you close it? Choose sliding door hardware based on these thoughts as well as money you wish to spend.
Garage door hardware is often times overlooked, but depending on your style of house it’s one of the first things people see when coming to visit. Besides the usual garage door hardware we have to have such as a motor, metal beams and the sort. They’re useful to shop for when you need your door to close smoothly but the look doesn’t matter as long as it functions.
The exterior garage door hardware, like the sliding door or pocket door is overlooked. Choosing from handles of aluminum, gold or silver or simple twist knobs to turn and pull open the door also in the styled metals.
The real style points come from the exterior door hardware. Choosing from gold or silver, from knobs to push unlocks. The choices are varied and can sometimes be hard to decide on. Besides the regular door hardware you can select to have knockers affixed along with your door knobs for added flare. This door hardware is not only fun but classical. The lion’s head is a popular favorite but your regular etched door hardware as a knocker will work just as well and be eye-catching.
Rob Hargreaves - An American Locksmith working for NYC Locksmith Company, Mr-Locks Inc. For more information on installation and repairs of security doors, interior doors, exterior doors, call Mr-Locks now.
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