HEINEN'S ROLLS OUT GRAPHICAL POS SYSTEM

LAURA REINA

WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, Ohio -- To make cashiers' jobs easier and to reduce cashier training time, Heinen's here will implement a PC-based point-of-sale system with a graphical interface screen at its new Chardon, Ohio, store this September.

Carl Lindeman, point-of-sale coordinator at Heinen's, explained that the graphical interface screen walks cashiers through every step of a transaction, prompting them through every possible move that they make. "It makes it foolproof for the cashier," said Lindeman.

Attached to the new POS system is a special six-key keyboard with "soft keys," along with a traditional keyboard. The functions of the soft keys change depending on where the cashier is during a transaction.

For example, Lindeman explained that at the end of a transaction, the cashier hits the total key and learns that the total equals $10.52. If the customer is paying with cash, the cashier hits the cash key. Then next to the soft keys, the screen displays the most likely possible tender combinations.

"Say the order is for $10.52. One of the soft keys will say $10.52 because some people pay with exact change. One key may say $15, one may say $11, one may say $20. This way the cashier only has to hit that one key," said Lindeman.

After the cashier hits the appropriate soft key, the screen displays a graphic representation of a register till, and explains exactly how much money to give back to the customer.

According to Lindeman, other retailers that have implemented this POS system have reported a decrease in training time of 50% to 60%. And by reducing training time, retailers can also reduce training costs.

Fourteen of these terminals will be implemented at the new store opening in September. Lindeman said the retailer is considering converting the POS systems at its other 11 stores to this new system as well.

The POS system is from NCR, Dayton, Ohio.