On this page your questions regarding the optional POS hardware
that you may use with the Vision range (Video Vision, Costume Vision, Library Vision and Rental Vision) are addressed.
All hardware should be obtained directly from the manufacturer or an authorized supplier.
Barcodes, receipts, photo capture, cash drawers, fingerprint recognition and touchscreens are all covered here, but if you have any questions that are not answered,
please don't hesitate to get in contact for additional advice.
Video Vision Lite, Video Vision Plus, Costume Vision, Library Vision and Rental Vision all allow (but do not require)
the reading of barcodes in all relevant data input sections of the program.
Reading barcodes requires a barcode scanner. When connected to your
computer the scanner decodes the barcode and passes the information
to the computer in the same way that keystrokes are received from
your computer's keyboard - the program therefore simply receives data identically to how it would arrive
from a really fast typist. This means that once the scanner is in
place no extra configuration of the program is needed.
Good information on the types of scanner can be found at csensors.com, although knowledge of some technical terms is assumed.
Whilst most quality brand barcode scanners can be used with Video Vision, Costume Vision, Library Vision and Rental Vision, Vision Forecasting recommends ZBA, Inc. (previously known
as ZEBEX America, Inc.) barcode scanners - ZBA produces an excellent range of scanners which are durable
and provide excellent reading performance.
ZBA Scanners are used in the development of the Vision range
and thus, in tests, have given reliable results in the reading of
all barcodes printed using Video Vision Plus, Costume Vision, Library Vision and Rental Vision with a variety of hardware configurations. In tests the ZBA Scanners used were even able to scan barcodes printed with budget priced Inkjet printers.
The scanners may be purchased at special prices for Video Vision, Costume Vision, Library Vision and Rental Vision users - please mention the program when contacting ZBausa to ensure that this special discount is applied to your purchase.
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ZB-8110
This excellent value for money CCD barcode scanner features:
- Durable and ergonomically designed
- High intensity aiming line
- Good read LED indicator and tone programmable beeper
- Built-in decoder allows automatic recognition and decoding of most popular barcode symbologies
- Scanning speed 50 scans/sec
- Scan Width up to 80mm
- 6ft (2m) cable length
- Available with USB or PS2 interface
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ZB-8150 Long Range CCD Scanner
The durable and ergonomically designed ZB-8150 scans from touch to 200mm and is reputedly the best-valued handheld scanner in its class and features:
- Durable and ergonomically designed
- High intensity aiming line
- Scanning speed 200 scans/sec.
- Good read LED indicator and tone programmable beeper
- Built-in decoder allows automatic recognition and decoding of most popular barcode symbologies
- Reading distance of 0-300mm
- Scanning speed 200 scans/sec.
- Available with USB or PS2 interface
- Optional adjustable hands free stand*
*the scanner shown features the optional hands-free stand |
Video Vision Plus, Costume Vision, Library Vision and Rental Vision all feature barcode printing modules allowing you to print your own
barcodes.
These module can work with labels of various sizes with standard
Avery (or any equivalent brand) 30 to a page address labels being
recommended as these are easily available (Staples, Office Depot
and other office supplies stores generally have them in stock at
all times) and are a good size for the barcode.
Use of the modules is simple - all that you need to do is enter
a list/range of barcodes that you wish to print and, after a on-screen
preview, the barcodes are sent to your printer in the pre-configured
layout.
The modules are designed so that they can be used with a regular desktop
printer without the need to purchase a specialist barcode printer.
However, the programs also features functionality to allow use of a specialist barcode printer should
this be preferred. At this time no specific brand/model of barcode printer is recommended.
Printing Receipts
Video Vision Plus, Video Vision Lite, Costume Vision, Library Vision and Rental Vision all have flexible options for
receipt configuration.
Receipt options are configured using a very flexible receipt
configuration wizard that allows configuration of most aspects of the receipt
format. This not only permits a very personalized receipt to be produced but
also means that a format compatible with the vast majority of receipt printers
can be created.
The recommended receipt printer for use with all Vision programs is the Epson
TM-T88III (or versions II or IV of this printer). For more information and links
to suppliers of this printer, please visit the Epson
site.
Epson TM-T88III Receipt Printer
The standard way to use a cash drawer in a POS system is either
to connect the drawer to your receipt printer or to
your computer's serial/parallel port.
Almost all receipt printers will
trigger standard cash drawers from a quality manufacturer if the
drawer has the correct interface - please check with the respective
manufacturers for full compatibility details.
Due to the ease of configuration within Vision programs, Vision
Forecasting recommends use of a cash drawer with an Epson printer
interface alongside an Epson TM Series receipt printer. No
specific drawer manufacturer is recommended as the program communicates
with the drawer via the printer rather than directly.
The recommended fingerprint reader for use with the Fingerprint Recognition
Module (versions are available for Video Vision Plus, Costume Vision, Library
Vision and Rental Vision) is the Secugen Hamster Plus. More information about
this reader (along with purchase options) is available on the Secugen
website.
Secugen Hamster Plus
The recommended customer displays for use with Video Vision, Costume Vision, Library Vision and Rental Vision are those from the Epson DM-110/210 series.
Epson DM-110/210 Series Customer Displays
Capturing customer photos
In order to capture customer photos in Video Vision Plus, Costume Vision, Library Vision or Rental Vision all you
will need is a web cam. When correctly installed in Windows, all cameras by reputable brands such as Logitech
should give good results.
Requesting a customer PIN
Video Vision Plus, Costume Vision, Library Vision and Rental Vision all *optionally*
allow you to require customers to enter a personal PIN number in order to be
able to complete their transaction. Numeric keypads are a relatively standard
piece of equipment and models by all reputable brands (e.g. Belkin) should give
good results.
Belkin USB numeric keypad
Using touch screen technology
The InStore add-on module (versions available for use with Video Vision Plus, Costume Vision, Library Vision and Rental Vision) can be used with a mouse however customer
experience will be maximized when a touchscreen monitor is used.
Whilst a keyboard is needed for a number of tasks within Video Vision Plus, Video Vision Lite, Costume Vision, Library Vision and Rental Vision, most of the standard rental and return transactions
can be done using a touch screen. Staff with lower levels of computer knowledge often find this type of technology easier/faster to use than a mouse and keyboard.
The touch screen monitor recommended for use with all Vision products in the 3M MicroTouch M150.
3M MicroTouch M150
Alternatively if your budget permits, the ultimate way to use the InStore module is with a kiosk terminal. Most manufacturer's kiosks should be compatible with InStore and no specific manufacturer/model is currently recommended.
Disclaimer
Vision Forecasting presents the information "as is" as a service to
its customers to help them choose hardware for their store/organization. No
responsibility is taken for the accuracy of the information presented. Customers
should verify the latest data for the products at the respective home page of
the product's manufacturer.
The appearance of a product by a given company on this page in no way
suggests that organization endorses any Vision Forecasting program, but solely that these
products have in tests been found to provide good results when used with
Video Vision, Costume Vision, Library Vision and Rental Vision.
Additionally, whilst these products have given good results in tests,
due to variations in performance caused, amongst other influencing
factors, by hardware configurations, Vision Forecasting accepts
no responsibility whatsoever for the malfunction of any products
shown on this page or the inability of the products shown on this
page to correctly function with Vision Forecasting software in any
individual situation.
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