The Independent Marketing division of NCR Limited has licenced a new software package from Diamond CPoS Systems in a bid to establish an early foothold in the small-to-medium, non-food, retail market. The software, called simply CPoS, is designed to run on MS-DOS micros; NCR will push its 7052 and 2207 computer cash register CCR terminals. Liverpool-based Diamond claims the software solves the first problem of its target market – that to date, electronic point of sale offerings have been proprietary. In addition to running under MS-DOS, CPoS can be linked to financial packages and existing installations over Novell and Token Ring net-working protocols. Diamond also claims that the product is easy to customise, and can be used in conjunction with a variety of peripherals, including scanners, printers, scales, PINs, and barcode and magnetic stripe readers. From the consumer’s point-of-view, Diamond’s Kevin Kavanagh predicts that use of the software will also enhance customer service. Retailers will be able to offer a very complete receipt, bring account payment information up on screen, and make instant stock enquiries, he argued. The software will be marketed by NCR, Diamond, and two – unspecified – NCR value-added resellers. Independent Marketing chief Nigel Davies is aiming for 1,000 installations within the next 12 months, but claims the market has the potential for 200,000 units. Meanwhile, Diamond says it is installing three systems per month; current customers are believed to include three major book retailers. A single licence costs just under UKP300.
