Hardware Selection

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Below is a list of suggested equipment to use for the P.O.S. system, with choices in some areas depending on your budget and preferences. If you need help locating a supplier, please contact us. Also see our web site for updated lists and hardware purchase information. We can't support any hardware you purchase elsewhere (other than the setup in Campground Master itself), so we recommend purchasing from us unless you have a local computer technician to help with hardware setup.

Which items you need for your system depend on your situation. Technically the P.O.S. can be operated without any external hardware other than a standard PC printer. In a high-traffic situation, however, we recommend that you use a bar-code scanner, a receipt printer, and a cash drawer, possibly with a pole display added for a nice touch.

A magnetic stripe reader for credit cards is only needed if you plan to process credit cards through Campground Master, and then you also need compatible processing software that works with your merchant account. ICVerify is compatible with Campground Master and works with nearly any merchant processor, but is an expensive software package. X-Charge a free alternative, which only requires that you sign up with their merchant account (which has very competitive rates). Let us know if you would like more information about this.

Choosing Hardware Interfaces

The bar-code scanners and mag-stripe readers usually interface through USB, and the cash drawers interface through the receipt printer (assuming you use a receipt printer). So the only interface port you normally need on your computer for a basic P.O.S. setup is for the receipt printer itself. Or, if you don't plan to use a receipt printer but do want a cash drawer that opens automatically, then you will need to use a USB or serial port for the cash drawer.

Parallel or serial work well in this application, but you need to make sure you know what ports are present and not in use by other devices. For instance, if you also want to use a pole display, that may occupy a serial port. Alternatively, USB models of printers and pole displays are available for computers that don't have serial or parallel ports.

Also, if you plan to do credit card authorizations through Campground Master, then you may also need to connect an external modem. This will also occupy a USB port (we recommend an external modem for simplicity in support, but an internal modem will also work if necessary). Note that only one of your Campground Master workstations will need a modem if you're using Campground Master in a networked setup.


Suggested Equipment

The items listed below are models that we sell -- see our web site for more details. You can contact us directly to purchase these items, or contact your own vendor. These are all "basic" models, so there may be additional options available (for instance different colors, added stands, etc.). The sales person can help you with options and other questions.

Bar code scanners (keyboard wedge, triggered or auto-trigger, decoded)

Unitech MS-210 CCD, durable but short range

Metrologic 9520 laser, long range

Receipt Printers (parallel or serial, with cash drawer port)

Epson U200 series, a basic impact printer

Epson TM-88iv, a fast thermal printer

Cash drawers (interface to receipt printer or USB)

APG Multipro Series, various sizes and media slot options

Cash drawers with direct connection to serial port (if no receipt printer used)

MMF drawer with serial interface

Pole display

Logic Controls PD-3000, serial or USB

Mag stripe readers (track 1,2 & 3)

Magtek USB 2-head bidirectional mini-swipe

If you're unsure about whether a particular device not listed here will work with the software, please contact us. Also see our web site for updated lists and vendor information.

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