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 hardware purchase information. We can't support any hardware you purchase elsewhere (other than the setup in Campground Master itself), so we recommend purchasing from us unless you have 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). You can contact us directly to purchase these items, or contact your own vendor. 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 or auto-trigger, decoded)
MS210-K Unitech MS-210 CCD, durable but short range  
MK9520-72B47 Metrologic 9520 laser, long range  

Receipt Printers (parallel or serial, with cash drawer port)
TMU220PD-103   Epson U200 series, a basic impact printer  
SP512MC42-120   STAR SP500, a fast impact printer  
TMT-88III    Epson TM-88III, a fast thermal printer  

Cash drawers (interface to receipt printer, select printer brand when ordering)
ECD 2000MMF 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 interface  

Pole display
PD-3000Logic Controls, serial interface  

Mag stripe readers (track 1 & 2)
21080057Magtek PS/2 (keyboard wedge)  
21040108Magtek USB      
IDT3331-12 IDTech mini-mag, USB or PS/2  

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.

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