Hardware Selection

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Below is a list of suggested equipment to use for the P.O.S. system, with choices in some areas depending on your budget and preferences. If you need help locating a supplier, please contact us. Also see our web site for updated lists and vendor information. We can't support any hardware you purchase elsewhere (other than the setup in Campground Master itself), so we recommend finding a good vendor or a local computer technician to help with hardware setup.

Which items you need for your system depend on your situation. Technically the P.O.S. can be operated without any external hardware other than a standard PC printer. In a high-traffic situation, however, we recommend that you use a bar-code scanner, a receipt printer, and a cash drawer, possibly with a pole display added for a nice touch.

A magnetic stripe reader for credit cards is only needed if you plan to process credit cards through Campground Master, and then you also need compatible processing software that works with your merchant account. ICVerify is compatible with Campground Master and works with nearly any merchant processor, but is an expensive software package. X-Charge a free alternative, which only requires that you sign up with their merchant account (which has very competitive rates). Let us know if you would like more information about this.

Choosing Hardware Interfaces

The bar-code scanners and mag-stripe readers usually interface through the keyboard, and the cash drawers interface through the receipt printer (assuming you use a receipt printer). So the only interface port you normally need on your computer for a basic P.O.S. setup is for the receipt printer itself. Or, if you don't plan to use a receipt printer but do want a cash drawer that opens automatically, then you will need to use a parallel or serial port for the cash drawer.

Parallel or serial work equally well in this application, but you need to make sure you know what ports are present and not in use by other devices. For instance, if you also want to use a pole display, that will occupy a serial port.

Also, if you plan to do credit card authorizations through Campground Master, then you may also need to connect an external modem. This will also occupy a serial port (we recommend an external serial-interface modem for simplicity in support, but an internal modem will also work if necessary). Note that only one of your Campground Master workstations will need a modem if you're using Campground Master in a networked setup.


Suggested Equipment

The items listed below show a recommended part number, which may be either the manufacturer's number or a part number at a popular vendor (which can be interpreted by most vendors). Prices are not listed, but generally they are listed in lower-to-higher prices (and quality) in each section. These are all "basic" models, so there may be additional options available (for instance different colors, added stands, etc.). The sales person can help you with options and other questions.

Bar code scanners (keyboard wedge, triggered, decoded)

MS210-K

Unitech MS-210 CCD, durable but short range

MK9520-72B47

Metrologic 9520 laser, long range

LS1902T-1000

Symbol LS-1902 laser, long range

Receipt Printers (parallel or serial, with cash drawer port)

SP212FC   STAR SP200 series, parallel interface, an inexpensive impact printer

SP212FD   same as above with serial interface

TMU220PD-103   Epson U200 series, parallel interface, a basic impact printer

TMU220PD-103   same as above with serial interface

SP512MC42-120   STAR SP500, parallel interface, a fast impact printer

SP512MD42-120   same as above with serial interface

TMT-88III    Epson TM-88III, fast thermal printer

Cash drawers (interface to receipt printer, select printer brand when ordering)

ECD 2000

MMF basic drawer

APG S320   APG Multipro Series, various sizes and media slot options

Cash drawers with direct connection (if no receipt printer used)

MMF MCD 240

MMF drawer with serial/parallel interface options

Pole display

PD-3000

Logic Controls, serial interface

Mag stripe readers (keyboard wedge track 1 & 2)

MTEK 21080203

Magtek mini-wedge

IDT3331-12

IDTech mini-mag

If you're unsure about whether a particular device not listed here will work with the software, please contact us. Also see our web site for updated lists and vendor information.