Versatile electronics

Press, 7 October 1980, Page 21

Versatile electronics

Calculators, computers, cash registers and charge posting machines have all benefited from the developments of the electronic revolution.

Even hand-sized calculators can have a wide variety of capabilities. Some programmable models have the most popular functions pre-programmed, while an additional feature allows the user to enter other programmes of his own choosing. Once established, these can be executed at the touch of a key.

Some calculators are specially designed for business, financial, or scientific applications and may have a programmable feature and a continuous memory.

The next step up is a desk top computer, commonly used as an accounting machine in small offices and by small local bodies. These machines are available at under $20,000 with programmes ranging from $lOO to

$15,000 depending on complexity. Next in size is the freestanding business computer si-stem with a high speed programmer and a self-diagnostic programme w h i c h automatically checks at switch-on that all systems are operational.

For larger organisations, computers are available with a network of terminals or “peripherals” through which several jobs can be run al once on the central processor. Integrated circuitry and high capacity disc storage are now combined with faster internal speeds and improvements are made with each new model. Cash registers

The most obvious' changes brought about by electronic developments have been in cash registers. Their capabilities have multiplied but costs range from just $4OO for a single department till to upwards of 52500 for an alphanumeric, printingcomputer with price look-

up files and inventory control.

Emphasis is now on an efficient and secure sales register that is also a management control tool. Charge posting capabilities are also becoming common.

Keys can be programmed to individual user requirements and pre-set with price information for quick and accurate registering. The pre-set capability can go up to 30 items and is particularly valuable for supermarkets running weekly specials. It is also a boon for restaurants, hotel bars and take-away food bars. There are hotel frontdesk models available that can maintain nearly . 1000 room account balances in memory store. At the same time, up to 15 waiter or clerk totals can be held within the machine, and all the data is protected by a fail-safe battery back-up in case of power failure. A charge-posting capa-

bility is valuable for service station registers, to maintain control over sales of tyres, batteries and accessories, as well as forecourt petrol accounts and workshop charges. Separate finalisation totals handle cheques, vouchers and credit cards. A receipting facility is available on many models, and also three printing positions on the one machine. These are the journal tape, receipt ticket and built-in docket printer. Corrections for overrings can be made on the spot, and more sophisticated models give a complete anaysis of sales, including counting the number of pre-set items and recording the date and time sold. Even a basic machine gives a cash analysis, can take information about charge accounts and caters for ‘‘split tendering.” Mdst of them also have a recall function that can be used if necessary during a subsequent sale. ’