Question:
Barcode scanners with a serial port interface do not work properly for sales entry in Reporting to the MAX including Point of Sale and Non-profit Versions Order Entry and Point of Sale modules.

Answer:
Reporting to the MAX including Point of Sale and Non-profit Versions Order Entry and Point of Sale modules assume that a barcode scanner with a keyboard wedge interface will be used to enter sales.

Barcode scanners, used to speed up number of sales entry, interface to the computer or Point of Sale unit with one of two connections, keyboard wedge or serial port. Reporting to the MAX including Point of Sale and Non-profit Versions Order Entry and Point of Sale modules assume that the customer will be using a barcode scanner with a keyboard wedge interface.

With the keyboard wedge interface, scanned barcodes are translated into the characters they represent and are then placed into the computers keyboard buffer. Because this input travels over the keyboard wiring, there is no difference between scanning an item or typing its stock item into the field in Order Entry or Point of Sale.

With the serial port interface, scanned characters are read in through an available serial port. This requires that the application be designed to accept input through the serial port. Reporting to the MAX including Point of Sale and Non-profit Versions Order Entry and Point of Sale modules are not written to read data from the serial port, or to have the hardware device codes that are necessary to define the port settings.

Therefore, scanners with a serial port interface do not work properly for sales entry in Reporting to the MAX including Point of Sale and Non-profit Versions Order Entry or Point of Sale Modules.

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