GEG POS Master 100F Applications
GEG POS Master 100F can be characterized as a powerful POS terminal server, indispensable for service payment receipt automation.
3-level payment system provides for integration of a POS-terminal and existing billing system.
GEG POS Master 100F connection diagram for joint operations with automated
billing systems
POS terminal server allows for managing all POS-terminals from a single management center. POS-terminals receive their settings from the server and transfer information on accepted payments back to it. POS-terminals and terminal software allow for implementing two ways of accepted payments information exchange: off-line (all information is transferred as a single package on POS-terminal operator's initiative) and on-line (the information is transferred to the server on each accepted payment in a background mode). POS server stores the received information in its database and forwards it to a calculation server. Besides, when requested from a terminal, the POS-server establishes connection with calculation server to to receive information on the client's account.
The terminals connect with the server by TCP/IP protocol. Different physical interfaces can be used: Ethernet, direct line, ISDN, analog dial-up line.
The connection between the terminals and the server is realized by the protocol, defined by calculation server software.
As an example, let us take a telecommunication operator billing system. The lower network level is based on the POS-terminals located at telecommunication service centers, post offices, etc. Operators are engaged in the following actions at this level:
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payment acceptance for different kinds of telecommunication services; |
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tariffication of telecommunication services according to pre-set algorithms; |
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bill printing; |
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printing of notification to calculation center;
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input of payment information into operation record book;
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final accounting reports to the calculation center; |
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files with information on the payments accepted sent to the calculation center(s); |
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redirection of files with information on accepted payments via communication lines;
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receipt of new settings and tariffs from the center;
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additionally, information on customer debts and bill printing can be done at this level (on-line connection with the calculation center needed). |
Besides that, POS-terminals can be integrated with several popular phone box connecting systems and automated telegram send-and-receive systems. Payment information is transferred to a POS-terminal application module for creation of payment papers, cash reports, etc. and printing of bills and notes of receipt.
At the middle level the billing system has a POS-terminal management server that can be either a dedicated server or shared with database server in an operator's calculation center. The server is meant for POS-terminal network management installed remotely to the center.
The software installed on this server allows to:
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configure payment types accepted by POS-terminal; |
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configure payment tariffication algorithms; |
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set bill or note of receipt format for each payment type; |
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format payment files for payments of all types and transfer them to the center; |
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set operation rights for each operator and other officials; |
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redirect setting changes to all POS-terminals; |
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receive payment information files for further redirection to the calculation center; |
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support subscriber account information requests or any other information from the calculation center; |
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configure interfaces and protocols of the interaction with lower and upper levels. |
The billing system high-level server provides interaction between the subscriber database server and the entry- and middle-level servers. This server fulfils the following tasks:
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receives files with accepted payment information; |
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maintains records of the accepted payments and removes debt information after repayment; |
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issues subscriber bills and service printouts for a certain period. |
Usually such server is included in any billing system as its indispensable part.
An important feature of the POS management server is that it allows for the POS-terminals' connection with several high-level servers (or database servers). For example, information on the payments accepted can be sorted out and sent out to calculations centers, housing and communal services, etc. If a card is used for service payment, POS-terminal sends a request to the processing center of the correspondent payment system through the management server.
Interaction with card reading systems (either magnetic or chip) is provided by dynamic .dll-libraries that allow for algorithm and authorization protocol programming (together with the processing center).
POS software operates under MS Windows 95/98/NT/2000.
The POS management center is an application package (SQL-server) which is supplied together with the POS-terminal and is installed on any computer with MS Windows.
GEG POS Master 100F has been installed in the largest Russian telecommunication companies, such as:
As experimental part of Automated Payment System of:
In the Perm region, Uralsvyazinform Public Corporation together with JSCB Postbank use POS terminal as part of the Uralexpress billing system. In this project, POS-terminals are used not only for telecommunication services payments but also as bank card terminals.
In retail, GEG POS Master 100F can be used in both counter stores and supermarkets. It is natural that the cash register should always perform the functions of a sales register, though so intelligent as a POS-terminal.
Information on products and sales reports should be interconnected with accounting and product logistics systems. Universal POS applications (like Master cash, Master cash ver. 3.0.000) can be integrated with various back-offices, including DOMINO, 1C:SALES, BEST and others.
In restaurants, POS-terminals are used as part of the R-Keeper hard-and software complex, developed by UCS. The complex includes POS-terminals, waiter and manager workstations, system access authorization modules, service equipment, and software for waiters, cashiers and managers. It is also possible to use the complex for hotels and as a common system for restaurant-hotel compounds. R-Keeper system has been developed to automate restaurants, cafe, and Fast Foods operations. At the beginning of 1990-s UCS was the first Russian private company to offer such an internationally competitive solution.
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