pos vs pc
DESCRIPTION
Professional POS or just PC This presentation should give you an overview about standard POS and standard PC technology, about advantages and disadvantages of each. It is done with Beetle POS from Wincor Nixdorf in mind but it is valid on the same way for any professional POS. If you like you can follow or contact me at Twitter @PavicDarkoTRANSCRIPT
For professional retailing
PC versus POS
Retail IT Specialists
Reasons for downtime
Not included, downtime due to: Power failures
Server and network failures
Non-availability of supplies (paper,
ribbon cartridges, etc.)
Missing change
etc.
of all service calls
were related to hardware
problems
Reasons for the service call
8 %
4 %
2 %
2 %
2 % 47 %
13 %
10 %
5 %
3 %
3 %
CPU / RAM / Fans
Drives
Power supply
Exp. cards / LAN
Others
Printer
Cash drawer
Scanner
Display
Keyboard
18 %
35 %
Source: Wincor Nixdorf ITS failure
statistics 4. Q. 1999
Based on BEETLE /L
configurations, 90% of which
were DOS systems.
53 %
Retail IT Specialists
Reasons for downtime
Reasons for the failure:
Installation faults
Wrong setup parameters
Operating system & driver bugs
Compatibility issues with SW versions
Network problems
User faults
...
of all service calls
were related to software
issues and the user.
47 %
47 %
The software and user related
call rate share will increase
with the use of more complex
operating systems such as
Windows and Linux.
Source: Wincor Nixdorf ITS failure
statistics 4. Q. 1999
Based on BEETLE /L
configurations, 90% of which
were DOS systems.
Retail IT Specialists
Iceberg
Costs in the POS environment
Acquisition Costs: 20-25%
Running Costs: 75-80%
The acquisition costs are only the
top of the iceberg of the total cost
of ownership.
The lion´s share are the running
costs for training, administration,
maintenance and system downtime.
Retail IT Specialists
TCO
TCO
Total Cost of Ownership
HW & SW acquisition
costs
~75%
~25%
Typical for POS systems over a 5-year period
Downtime Administration
Service Support
Power consumption
Installation Training
etc.
60-70%
Reduce running
costs
Optimize
serviceability
Increase system
availability
Taking TCO to the
next level
Retail IT Specialists
Reduce complexity
SIMPLER Plug & play
Useability
Ergonomics
Simplify business /
service processes
BETTER
Improved
performance
e.g. printer speed
Increased resources
Improved MTBF
High quality
CHEAPER
Cost reduction
Power consumption
Serviceability
Optimized TCO
Retail IT Specialists
Features and functions that influence TCO
Function/Feature Customer benefit
Scalable product family Tailor-fitted configurations
Versatile usage Efficient serviceability
Long-term availability Homogeneous IT environment
PC & Retail standards Vendor independency
Powered interfaces Higher reliability
Embedded OS Reduced complexity
Management readiness Efficient remote administration
Proven technology Higher availability
Integrated UPS option Reduced downtime
Mobile and ULV processors Reduced running costs
Multi-modular product concept Cost-effective swap service
Solid state memory (uDOC) Increased data security
International approvals World-wide availability
Retail IT Specialists
Lifecycle issues
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4
PC: New model every 4-6 months
BEETLE: Long availability of systems and spare parts
Take into consideration
Planned lifecycle of the POS systems (2, 5, 8 or more years?)
Rollout size / schedule
Availability of spare parts / system replacements
Pros and cons of homogeneous and heterogeneous IT environments
Retail IT Specialists
System environments
Homogeneous BEETLE
Environment
Heterogeneous PC
Environment
Same motherboard
Same processors
Same BIOS
Same LAN adapter
Same video adapter
Same video BIOS
Embedded OS
Same administration and
management tools
Different motherboards
Different processors
Various BIOS´
Different LAN adapters
Different video adapters
Various video BIOS´
Desktop OS
Various administration and
management tools
Which system platform is easier to manage and to maintain ?
Retail IT Specialists
Characteristic
Long-term availability -
Cash drawer interface extra card / printer
Powered COM interfaces extra card
24V printer outlet -
System management features system dependent
CMOS memory -
Integrated UPS extra card
DOS support -
Scale approvals has to be approved
Memorial fiscal approved -
Extended environmental characteristics -
Small footprint / smart design system dependent
International approvals and availability system dependent
Feature BEETLE PC
Retail IT Specialists
Consequences
Homogeneous BEETLE
environment
Heterogeneous PC
environment
Long-term
availability
Identical
systems
Uncomplicated
administration
Short-term
availability
Various
systems
More complex
administration
Retail IT Specialists
Financial comparison
Financial Comparison BEETLE versus PC
-
2.000
4.000
6.000
8.000
10.000
12.000
14.000
16.000
18.000
BEETLE PC
Software upgrades
Downtime
Support
Operation
System integration,
qualification and
installationSoftware
Hardware
Euros
Retail IT Specialists
Cost categories
Retail IT Specialists
Open Systems
14
Consistent use of PC & Retail standards
Operating systems: MS-DOS, Linux, Windows XP, WEPOS
System architecture: Intel compatible (CPU, BIOS, I/O bus, etc.)
Interfaces: RS232, powered RS232, Centronics, PCI,
PCI Express, PS/2, VGA, USB, SATA, E-IDE,
powered USB, Audio
Communication: LAN-HW : Cheapernet/Ethernet/TP/RF
LAN-SW : TCP/IP, NetWare (IPX)
WAN-HW: X.25, ISDN, Datex-L/P, leased line
WAN-SW: SNA, BSC, ISO, TCP/IP
System Management: WfM, DMI, PXE, WoL, SNMP, APM, ACPI, CIM
Device drivers: JavaPOS, OPOS, POS for .net
PoweredUSB
Retail IT Specialists
Power
• One power outlet for the whole configuration
• Lower power consumption
• Higher reliability
• Simple cable management
• Several power supplies / more power outlets required
• Greater heat dissipation / higher power consumption
• Many potential points of failure
• Complex cable management
Retail IT Specialists
Embeded OS
A software provider can
individually configure an
embedded OS to meet the
retailer´s exact requirements
Advantages of an embedded operating system:
• Less overhead – better performance
• No unneeded functions – increased stability and security
• Purpose-optimized – reduced hardware requirements
• Lower OS licensing costs
• Long availability
Reduce it to the MAX
Licensing
Support
Retail IT Specialists
UPS
Optional, integrated UPS for
BEETLE /M and /XL-II:
20 minutes system retension time
Supports the system and system powered peripherals
„Power problems are the source of 50% of
data loss for computer installations.“ Contingency Planning Research
Retail IT Specialists
Proven technology
Sealed housing reduces dust
collection
Onboard components optimize
system availability
Designed for 24 / 7 operation
Flexible usage (POS, kiosk,
management or self-scanning
terminal)
Enhanced environmental
conditions
Resistant against static
charges, RF interference,
power surges
Robust, easy-to-service
aluminum housing
Dust & dirt
Humidity
Temperature
Static charges
Security hazards
External influences
RF
interference
Retail IT Specialists
Dust
The lint filter is a unique feature of the BEETLE /M and BEETLE M-
II models
Lint filter
Lint dust can influence the MTBF values (Mean Time Between Failure) of IT systems in a negative way
With the increasing system performance the amount of air circulation needed to cool the components inside a system increases as well
The BEETLEVIEW agent monitors temperatures and fan speeds