AustPOS Software - General overview
AustPOS (Australian Point Of Sale) Software is a software product involving a number of comprehensive financial accounting and associated modules, as follows ...
- Point of Sale (incl. Stock Control, Bill of Materials, Invoicing,
Purchasing & Sales Analysis)
- Debtors (Accounts Receivable)
- Creditors (Accounts Payable)
- Cash Management (incl Bank Reconciliation)
- Restaurant (incl. Table Tracking, Food Ordering - using Radio Frequency
electronic hand-held order pads, Kitchen Scheduling)
- General Ledger and Financial Reporting
History ...
The pre-1993 version of this software was developed in Adelaide, South Australia by Linx Business Computers. Since that time, further extensive design and development effort has resulted in significant enhancements to the original software modules, including the creation of a Restaurant module.
Language ...
The software is written in the Liant RM Cobol computer language and, as a consequence of Cobol having been an industry-standard language for over 30 years, there are hundreds of computer programmers world-wide who are now capable of supporting such Cobol-based software.
Cobol is a fast and reliable business computer language and the Liant implementation has been continually strengthened. with many new features and tools being released, including the following ...
- RM Companion report writer
- RM Grafs business graphical facility
- Relativity for RM/Cobol - providing ODBC compliance
- RM/plusDB access to relational databases
- RM/InfoExpress Client/Server connectivity
The RM/Cobol Runtime system ...
Despite the variety of different types of businesses and different computer systems currently using the AustPOS modules, only one version of the AustPOS software 'source code' and 'object code' is actually maintained by the developer. This simple development methodology is possible because the compiled 'object code' is capable of being run, without modification, on many different computer 'platforms' through the use of the inexpensive RM Cobol Runtime system. Different versions of the Liant RM Cobol Runtime system are available for all the popular computer operating systems including ...
- Microsoft Win2000, Win98, Win95, Windows 3.1 and DOS
- SCO Open Server Unix
- Most other Unix versions
- OS/2
- Novell, Lantastic & Lan Manager networks
Even the database files maintained by the Runtime system are transportable across different computer platforms without any data conversion being required. This can often be of great benefit to both the end-user and the systems support organisation.
Designed with Multi-User, Multi-Company features ...
The AustPOS software modules were designed from the outset for use in a multi-user, multi-company environment. Therefore, the software has always included the record-locking and file-locking procedures which are critical if file corruption is to be avoided in a high-usage, multi-user environment. Many other packages, on the other hand, do not have the same pedigree, having started life as a single user DOS product and then subsequently having been patched to operate in a Windows, Novell or other multi-user environment.
Existing Installations ...
The basic financial accounting modules within AustPOS have been operating at a multitude of sites for over 10 years while the point of sale module has been installed at a number of diverse sites in South Australia and the Northern Territory, which include the following ...
- Service stations - Paint stores
- Newsagencies - Clothing retailers
- Bars and bottle shops - Takeaway food stores
- Saddleries - Video stores
- Power tool retailers - Restaurants & dining rooms
- Motels & caravan parks - Skin care centres
- Mining industry suppliers - Marine electronics suppliers
General Features ...
Some of the general features which apply to all the AustPOS modules are as follows ...
- The software actually works. This may seem to be a facetious comment but it is surprising how many software packages, which may present well, are not reliable in operation. i.e. they regularly ‘crash’ and/or corrupt data and/or require time-consuming file rebuilds and file re-indexing.
- A powerful, data-file-based menu system is used which allows passwords to be associated with selected menu items. If required, selections not accessible to operators, of the type(s) currently logged on to a particular work-station, can be totally suppressed from the operator's screen.
- An operator security system is provided which incorporates individual user passwords, operator types and usage expiry dates. Operators have complete freedom to change their own passwords at the time they log on. A history of log-on/log-off is automatically maintained for each operator.
- All printed output can be sent direct to a nominated printer, or 'spooled' for later on-screen examination and/or printing. Such spooled reports can be selectively deleted without printing, if desired, with automatic counts maintained of the number of times each report has been fully printed. Re-printing and on-screen display of selected page ranges within each report is provided.
- Full audit trails are provided for all postings to debtors ledger, creditors ledger & general ledger. An appropriate audit batch number and sequence number within batch is automatically assigned to each posted transaction.
- Virtually all file capacities are only limited by available disk capacity.
- The software is fully GST functional.
- File lookups, when needed, are simplified through the display of windows of available codes.
- On-screen help information is automatically displayed when appropriate.
Online Documentation ...
Follow this link for online documentation.
Contact ...
For more detailed information concerning individual AustPOS modules, please contact John Jones at jjones@austpos.com.au or by phone in Australia: 0427 973 922 or International: +61 427 973 922.