POSW Version 4.0 presents an attractive and easy-to-navigate graphical interface. After completing the user ID and password window, the main menu screen displays a row of icons on the toolbar representing the main modules such as GL or Point of Sale. To begin sales entry, the user must select a register number from the drop-down list as well as a user code and password. The default order entry screen is divided into three sections: header, line items and tender/total. Prompts at the bottom of this screen show the function keys available, which include customer and item lookup. The F5 key opens the customer lookup window and provides searching and sorting by customer number, short name and full name. New customers can be added on the fly here, without exiting the Point of Sale screen. Even more data is at the operatorÕs disposal, since the entire customer master record can be opened from here.

The customer master record is very extensive, with a five tab window organized by Credit Data, Billing, Transaction History, AR Aging and General Notes. This is one of the most detailed master records available and will be especially important to retailers who do lots of sales on account and want to keep a close eye on customer balances. Back on the main order entry screen, after a customer number is entered, one button will quickly pop up a window showing basic AR data, such as credit limit, current balance and last payment received. Order entry is the best time to do credit checking and discuss the customerÕs account status if they are on the phone.

The default order entry screen is just that, since Reporting to the MAX allows for extensive customization of the screen, not by programming but by making choices within the Options menu. Various prompts can be displayed or hidden in the header, customer, item detail, tender and close-out sections. For example, if there is no need to associate a customer with each sale, the entire customer selection process can be hidden, eliminating the need to bypass it for each sale. System security is enforced through user IDs with optional passwords on a per company basis. For further refinement, each user can be allowed or denied access to the main modules and even to functions within a module.

The entire range of advanced features and customization possibilities are beyond the scope of a quick review, but the examples covered are representative of the depth of the database and flexibility of this product. Overall, Reporting to the MAX Point of Sale for Windows would be an excellent choice for practically any retail environment, especially where a complete, integrated accounting solution is required. Visit their excellent web site at www.cmstothemax.com for more information.

Reprinted by permission © 1999 The CPA Software News, 110 N. Bell, Suite 300, Shawnee, OK 74801 - 800-456-0864