Computers in Retail Industry (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE ICT)
Revision Note
Written by: Robert Hampton
Reviewed by: James Woodhouse
POS & EFTPOS
What is POS & EFTPOS?
Point of Sale (POS) is a computer terminal used to read product barcodes
Barcodes are used in an automatic stock control system in shops
A barcode is part of a process that involves:
Every barcode being assigned to a product in stock
Each product record contains its price, stock level and a description
When a barcode is matched with a record the information is transferred to the POS terminal and the price is displayed on the screen
The stock level is reduced by one
If the current stock level falls below a minimum reorder stock level it triggers a restocking process automatically
Electronic Funds Transfer at the Point of Sale (EFTPOS) is how a payment is made to purchase good or services using a card or electronic devices such as smartphones
Examples of EFTPOS include:
Chip and Pin
Contactless
Near field communication devices (NFC)
Chip and Pin | Contactless | NFC |
|---|---|---|
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Internet Shopping
What are the advantages and disadvantages of internet shopping?
Internet shopping is the act of purchasing good or services online through a website or mobile application
Characteristics of Internet Shopping
Online stores accessible through web browsers
Wide variety of products and services are available
Convenient and often open 24/7
Advantages and disadvantages to the customer
Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
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Advantages and disadvantages to the business
Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
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Worked Example
Modern supermarkets have automated stock control systems, which use data from the checkouts.
Describe how food items can be ordered by an automated stock control system so they are delivered before the stock in the supermarket runs out.
[4]
Answer
four of:
Each item is scanned/bar code is read at the POS terminal [1]
Bar code is searched in the database [1]
The quantity of products is reduced [1]
The stock database is updated [1]
When the minimum stock number/level/reorder level is reached [1]
Reads re-order quantity [1]
Goods flagged as ordered [1]
The automated stock system sends a signal to the warehouse computer to order new items [1]
The warehouse sends the items to the supermarket [1]
Re-order quantity is found in the database [1]
Flags removed [1]
The stock control system updates the stock levels in the stock control database with the new stock [1]
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