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Cash Register Express (CRE) & Restaurant Pro Express (RPE) 12.0 (Part 7) “Other Updates”
Some CRE/RPE Computer Advice
How’s Your Memory?
Contacting pcAmerica 

Cash Register Express (CRE) & Restaurant Pro Express (RPE) 12.0 (Part 7) “Other Updates”

I think you get the point now, so this is my final push for you to update your software.

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.

For a complete list of NEW features found in Version 12.0, go to:

http://download2.pcamerica.com/versioninfo12.pdf (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Here are some of the “Other” features that you may have missed:

· Added support for the Zebra LP2824 bar code printer including the ability to print shelf tags within Bar Code Express.

· Reason codes have been added to line discounts (especially good to track employees with discount rights).

· Support for the VeriFone VX670 Pay at the Table device (for restaurant credit card acceptance)

· Prompt Quantity feature enhanced and can be configured to have pre-set choices (such as half dozen, dozen, etc.) which makes ringing up sales faster for these types of items.

· Feature added to delete all items that haven’t sold within a given date range

… and lots more. Read the full features list at the above link.

Prior to updating to our latest version, check with your pcAmerica Account Manager to make sure that you have the minimum computer requirements for an update.

Some CRE/RPE Computer Advice

Actually, this advice goes just as well for purchasing a personal computer for use in your home or at school for your kids.

1. An Intel Core 2 Duo Processor is faster than an Intel Pentium Dual Core Processor. It’s easy to get the names mixed up. The Core 2 Duo will cost you about an extra $139 (give or take). That’s about an extra 9 cents per day over the life of the computer. In my opinion, that extra $139 is well worth the price. You will have a significantly faster computer over the average four year life of your computer. This will make any future software upgrades that may require more power to run more efficiently.

2. Go for the extra RAM. CRE and RPE will work fine with 1 GB of RAM. However, for an extra $89 or so (6 cents per day over the life of your computer), you will be really happy with the extra speed that 3 GBs of RAM will give you.

3. Don’t allow internet access to your employees. If you or your employees require internet access, use a dedicated internet computer. Your point-of-sale computers should be dedicated to point-of-sale. A high percentage of our tech support calls are related to problems related to internet access. Employees do bad things on the internet. They can download music and access inappropriate sites (especially for the workplace).

The easiest way to prevent your employees from accessing the internet is to fire them if they are caught. Just ban it from the workplace. Your employees should be helping customers and not ignoring them while web surfing. There are software programs available that can lock out internet access on your computer.

Internet Explorer provides password protection which can prevent users from accessing the internet. You can also add specific sites which your employees may access.

Try going to http://www.netnanny.com/  or http://www.blumentals.net/inetprot/. You can also search Google for internet password lock.

If you do have an internet access problem in your retail store, you may also want to consult with your local computer consultant to find the best way to lock down your computers. The point is, you don’t want a virus or spyware to affect the computers that are running your business.

You may also want to put on a password protected screen saver. One is included with Windows. In a recent visit to a doctor’s office, I saw the history of Emma Jones on the screen. Her illnesses, address, phone number, and other personal information all on full view in the office. It’s a good idea to at least have a password protected screen saver preventing customers from accessing your computers.

How’s Your Memory?

Here’s a memory test for everyone.

Even if you are not very computer savvy, you should check your computer memory.

Click on Program Run (normally on the lower left portion of your screen).

Enter MSINFO32 in the box.

Click on OK.

A system summary will show up displaying all types of things about your computer.

On the right hand part of the screen you will see Total Physical Memory. This tells you how much memory you have installed in your computer.

It will probably say 1.0 GB (gigabytes), or 2.0 GBs, or 3.0 GBs.

That means, you have 1 GB, 2 GBs, or 3 GBs of memory installed in your computer. 1 GB is the minimum you should have installed. Having 2 or 3 GBs is better, but not necessarily essential depending on what you are doing.

Many people have 1 GB of RAM installed on their computers. 1 GB is the same as 1000 MBs (megabytes). Windows uses about 400 MBs or so leaving you with 600 MBs. Your antivirus software will use some more of the memory. If you are running lots of other items, you may not be leaving enough room to run your business software (such as Cash Register Express or Restaurant Pro Express).

Here’s the most important part.

Look at the right hand part of your screen for Available Physical Memory.

If this number is above 300 MBs or 0.3 GBs, you are doing fine.

If the number is above 1000 MBs or 1.0 GBs, you have plenty of memory to run just about anything you can load.

If the number is below 300 MBs or 0.3 GBs, you have a problem.

If the number is below 200 MBs or 0.2 GBs, you are probably seeing some significant computer slowdowns. You should add additional RAM. For example, if you have 1 GB of RAM, add another gigabyte to give you 2 GBs.

If the number is below 100 MBs or 0.1 GBs, your computer is crawling and just about unusable. You need more RAM.

This is such a simple test, but extremely important. When Windows available memory runs low, it starts to churn away and sometimes gets mixed up. You may think there is something wrong with your computer or software, but the problem is that your computer resources just can’t handle the load.

I have 1 GB of RAM. Why do I have less than 300 MBs (0.3 GBs) of Available Physical Memory?

Windows itself takes up about 1/3 of your RAM. Add your antivirus software and business software (such as CRE or RPE), and you are down to about 400 MBs or RAM.

The problem occurs when users try to run additional programs at the same time. If you are running your normal software plus a Word Processor, plus your Internet Software, plus your photo software, plus your backup software, and other programs all at the same time, you’re going to run out of RAM. To fix it, just close most of the software and run things one at a time (or alternately, add more RAM).

If you are running Windows Vista, it uses even more RAM. Vista users should purchase computers with 2, 3 or 4 GBs of RAM. Running CRE or RPE with Windows XP and 1 GB of RAM should be just fine as long as you are not simultaneously running other programs. To be sure, try the MSINFO32 test.