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newsletternewsletter 307
Cash Register Express & Restaurant Pro Express 12.0 (Security
Camera/DVR Integration) Cash Register Express & Restaurant Pro Express 12.0 Security Camera/ DVR Integration Cash Register Express (CRE) and Restaurant Pro Express (RPE) Version 12.0 were released on February 16, 2009. The new versions include over two dozen new and useful features! A few of the main highlights are enhanced credit card security, a new labor scheduler, an interface with security camera and DVR systems, ID scanning, and an internet-based web portal for chains. You can download the complete list and description of new CRE and RPE features at: http://download2.pcamerica.com/versioninfo12.pdf
If you are using an ID scanner, as a drivers licensed is scanned, the name age, birth date, and ID Accepted or Rejected is displayed on the security system. Liquor stores and stores selling tobacco have video proof for law enforcement that valid age verification was presented. Norton Internet Security 2009 Still #1
Every computer needs a Firewall, AntiVirus and AntiSpyware software. My best recommendation for those who need to purchase a new software package is Norton Internet Security 2009. The list price for Norton is $69.95 which can be used on up to three computers. Staples and other stores frequently give Norton away for free. You pay $59.95 after a $10 instant rebate. You get a $40 mail in rebate and another $20 upgrade rebate. To get that extra $20 upgrade rebate, you need to show proof of a serial number from a previous version of Norton or any other competitive package. You can download a free copy of a competitive package or send in the first page of the old manual, use that serial number and qualify for the $20 upgrade rebate. I frequently buy copies of Norton Internet Security 2009 from Staples when the special is being offered. I always get my rebates and always wind up paying $0 for the product. If you don’t like sending in your rebate requests, Norton Internet Security 2009 is frequently sold at various stores and mail order companies such as Buy.com for $39.95 or less. Why is Norton Internet Security 2009 the best? If you read the magazine reviews, read the user comments, and read the test results by organizations that rate security products, Norton leads all of the competitors. In past years, I have given you the links to the internet sites that review the best packages. I’m avoiding that this year. I install Norton Internet Security 2009 in every computer that I work with. I heard from an expert that Norton Internet Security 2009 stinks. That’s the problem with computer experts. We all have our opinions. The important point to understand is that every computer should be protected with some type of Internet Security software. If you want my recommendation, it is Norton Internet Security 2009. It is the best. However, if you are using another competitive package or have a favorite computer expert that you listen to, then go with it. Norton has not always been my favorite. I previously recommended other brands. Many computer experts have really soured on Norton. However, the 2008 and 2009 versions of Norton have really excelled in quality. Both use far fewer computer resources than previous versions. Both are much faster than previous versions. In my opinion and according to those experts who test these products, it is the best. Should I Pay or Should I Use the FREE Stuff? There is a great popular and FREE alternative to Norton. It’s called AVG (from a company called AVG Technologies, formerly Grisoft). This FREE alternative works very well and is a great alternative for those of you who don’t want to spend a penny. AVG includes AntiVirus and AntiSpyware. It does not include a Firewall. Most people can get by with the FREE Firewall protection that comes with Windows or the Firewall protection included on your router. Here’s the scoop on AVG. From my extensive reading and comparison of software, I would say that AVG is 90% as good as Norton. If you practice SAFE web surfing, and don’t open up emails from unknown people, and use the internet less than an hour a day, AVG is just fine. Personally, I am not happy with 90% and prefer going with Norton. I should mention that the FREE AVG cannot be used in a business establishment. The FREE version is for personal non-business use. Should you use the FREE AVG at your retail store or business, you would be violating the license agreement (the thing that you click on before you can actually get to load the program but never read). Don’t forget, Norton is FREE (or close to FREE) if you purchase it on sale and/or when rebates are being offered. Here’s the link for AVG: I’m Using Something Else. Should I Switch To Norton? I would, but I am not going to recommend it. Switching from another product is not always easy. You need to completely uninstall your other product prior to installing Norton. Sometimes, this can be a big headache. If you are already using something else, I don’t want to be the person that gets you to switch. You Must Keep Up To Date. No matter what product you are using, you need to always keep up to date. If you are using Norton 2008, you should upgrade to 2009. In the case of Norton, the upgrade is FREE. Most companies including Norton charge a yearly fee to keep their software up to date. If you are within that year, updating to a new version is normally FREE. So, once Norton is installed, I don’t have to worry? Unfortunately, you always need to be careful. Even with the best installed program, it’s possible to be infected. In the case of Norton, I have seen a couple of machines that have been infected with a virus. This normally occurs when the users are fooled into clicking something they should not have clicked on. Norton picked up the Viruses, but required an expert to help to remove them. Always make sure that Windows is up to date and your antivirus is up to date. You can listen to my advice and use Norton Internet Security 2009, or listen to someone else, but do be protected. Another Great Retail Store Website to Visit
http://www.csnews.com/csn/index.jsp You can sign up for a FREE daily email that keeps you up to date with the latest retail news. You can sign up for a FREE subscription to the monthly Convenience Store News magazine. You can visit the site on a daily basis to see the latest news related to all retail stores and more specifically of interest to Convenience Store owners. Once again, please visit the site even if you do not own a convenience store. The site and the articles are of interest to anyone who own s a retail store. You can even sign up for the Tobacco Plus Expo 09 in New Orleans. I didn’t even know that there was a Tobacco Expo. The ad states, “Smoking is Allowed on the Show Floor!”
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CRE
and RPE now have integration with a DVR security camera system that
records the actions around your store. As transactions are being
rung up, CRE and RPE overlay the actual transaction on the screen in
real time including items being rung up, discounts, no sales to open
the cash drawer, payments, the full receipt and more.
I
haven’t talked about AntiVirus and AntiSpyware software in a while.
I’m going to give you the facts of my updated recommendations.
Here’s
another great retail store website that you should be visiting.
Although Convenience Store News is dedicated to convenience
stores, much of the information provided is valuable to every type
of retail store or restaurant owner. You should put this site on
your list of helpful sites that you visit everyday.
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