By the end of this session, you will be able to: GCSE ICT By the end of this session, you will be able to: Know what EPOS/EFTPOS stands for; Understand the benefits of EPOS for customers and vendors (shop owners).

ICT in Supermarkets Supermarkets use computer systems to: Sell goods to customers and process payments at checkouts. Monitor and Control stock by automatically generating orders for more products if the stock is low. Perform sales analysis to find out which products sell well/not so well. Collect data about customers using loyalty cards whenever money is spent in store. This data is used to analyse the spending habits of customers and send them offers for the type of products they buy regularly.

EPOS EPOS = Electronic Point Of Sale Supermarket checkouts are called EPOS terminals. EFTPOS = Electronic Funds Transfer (at the) Point Of Sale These are checkouts that can handle debit or credit card transactions/payments.

EPOS Every EPOS terminal in a supermarket is connected to a minicomputer in the store, where a database of product information is stored. The computer is linked to the supermarket chain’s mainframe computer using a telecommunications link such as a telephone line or satellite dish. Have a look next time you’re at a supermarket!

EPOS Advantages of using EPOS systems: Shelves are well stocked, fresh food is readily available and products rarely run out (Stock Control); Customers are dealt with quickly at the checkout; Customers receive a fully customised receipt; Goods can be paid for at the till with a credit or debit card using EFT; Accurate and up-to-date sales analyses are available for managers; Customer’s buying patterns can be used to promote certain goods/products.

EPOS Disadvantages of using EPOS systems: EPOS systems are expensive to install; EPOS systems require regular maintenance; Technology must be kept up to date if a competitive edge is to be maintained against rival supermarket’s systems. So, that’s EPOS… but how does the information about the product get into the system??

Barcodes UK supermarkets use barcodes to represent a 13 digit number which identifies 3 things: The name of the product; It’s country of origin; The manufacturers details.

Barcodes The Country of Manufacture (2 Digits) Check Digit (1 Digit) The Manufacturers details (5 Digits) The Product Code (5 Digits)

Barcodes What happens when a barcode is scanned at the EPOS terminal? Barcode number is sent to the branch computer. Branch computer uses the number to search the stock file for the products details (price and description) and sends it back to EPOS terminal. Branch computer updates the stock levels to show one has been sold. Products details are displayed on EPOS terminal and printed on receipt. The price is added to the total cost of groceries so far.

Online Grocery Shopping Allows customers to order their groceries from home and have them delivered to their doors. Main advantage is that there is no need to visit the store. Good for people who work unsocial hours. Good for people who cannot leave the house physically.

Online Grocery Shopping Main disadvantages of ordering groceries online: You can’t examine the goods before buying them. Out of stock items could be replaced with something similar that you don’t really want and may have to send back.