Generic Inventory        File Maintenance Definitions:

Processing Parameter Definitions:

GIV_Maintenance Dialog (PSINV legacy screen):

SKU/UPC#  20 Digit index to item record.

     * 64,000 Product records are allowed.
     The SKU/UPC indices provide the key to direct query of stock items.
     These items may be priced stock for sale or links to other stock
     records.
     SKU indices are 1-20 alpha numeric ASCII characters that are LEFT
     justified in the index field.  SKU indices can have any structure;
     however, a direct query must have the same organization as the file
     index.
     UPC indices have structure controlled by the specifications of the
     particular bar code class.  The UPC inicies are represented as 12
     digit numeric ASCII characters that generally follow the format:
            12 34567 89012
            TT MMMMM PPPPP  where, TT is the type code, MMMMM the
            manucaturers number, and PPPPP the product code.  With
            type 02 standard UPC codes the PPPPP is the item price.
    European, Japanese, etc. bar codes have vary in structure.  Bar doe
    details are not given here: the above is a partial explainations.

UPC/SKU LONG NAME is a 24 character item description.

    * The 24 character name is used with some receipt formats.

UPC/SKU SHORT NAME is a 12 characters item description.

    * The 12 ch description is used for prompting on the pos terminal and
      for product identification on some check formats.  The 12 characher name is also stored as the electronic journal item name.

VENDOR ID Is the most common stock item  provider.

   * The vendor name or indentification numer is used only for reference
     in this application.

ALTERNATE INDICES are sometimes used when (2) indices reference the same item.

    * Some items may have both a UPC index and a wharehouse SKU index.
    The alternate index allow an item to be queried using either the
    UPC index or the alternate SKU index.

    The alternate index is a 1-12 digit index as is treated as a SKU
    index.  Leading zeros are therefore not enforced.  The alternate
    index can be a UPC if the index is placed in this field as the
    index will be entered on the query device (usually the POS station).
    in the same

LOCATION -- Is an alpha numeric describer of the stocks physical location.

UNITS DESCRIPTION -- Defines the UNITS of Sale.

   * Units may be purchased in CASE lots but sold as CANS.  This field
     defines the normal units of call using alpha numeric entry.

     Units may be further defined by other variables within the stock
     item record or by not be items for sale but linkage or functional
     records.

PACKAGE DESCRIPTION   Is a field to define package chracteriztics.

   * Units my be CANS and the cans my be PACKAGED as 12/case.
     This field is use primarily for refernce. 

PLU X-Ref  This PLU code is used for transaction ORDER.QUE storage.

   * Each transaction requires a PLU to determine method of posting;
     either for sales, credit, etc. use.  This X-Ref PLU applies to
     the SKU and UPC records when transactions are formed.

     SKU and UPC records can also link to PLU items for pricing.  This
     is useful when many SKU/UPC codes have a common price.  Changing
     the price on the linked PLU will change the price on all linked
     SKU/UPC records (see LINK variable).

     The PLU X-Ref is a (1-5) digit entry where the 1st digit determines
     the cashiering function base on the criteria:

            1-8  Sales item
              9  Tender media

     The PLU can also be used for linkage, functions, and special keys.

SKU/UPC  Indicator

   * The SKU/UPC flag is used to specify the source of the item record.

           0 = Use information from the LOCAL SKU-R file
           1 = Use information from the LARGE file

           The local SKU-R file may have other names, but this file is
           the S-Base 256 byte/record inventory price file.

           The LARGE file is organized for grocery scanning with a record
           length of 80 characters and provisioned for > 100,000 items.

CALL ITEM INDICATOR Set special use flag.

    * When items is a sale:
               0 Ignore options
               1 Food stamp exempt

    * When item is a credit:
               0 Ignore options
               8 Print without finalization
               9 Force compulsion and print

CLASSIFICATION CODE  Set special use flag.

    * When items is a sale:
               0 Ignore the options
               1 Prompt for $ amount (open department item)
               2 Prompt for Units
               3 Prompt for Units and $ Amount
               5 Allow 0.00 PLU amount
               9 No-Op PLU (Used to ignore this PLU)

    * When items is a credit:
               0 Ignore the options
               1 Use as sub-total discount Percent
               2 Use as sub-total discount Amount
               3 Use as food stamp tender
               5 Post to front desk tender
               6 Authorize to remote network tender
               7 Authorize to expiration date and card number       ^retail
               8 Authorize to Local credit file

LINK   The LINK variable allows types of ITEM LINKAGE.

    * Provision is make for items to have successive linkage.  Inquery
      to one item will then cascade to following items based on the
      following rules:

            LINK =  0  Ignore linkage
                    1  Link SKU/UPC to DEPARTMENT SKU
                    2  Link SKU/UPC to CATEGORY SKU
                    3  Link to ALTERNATE index
                    4  Link to PLU X-REF item record

            When linkage is by DEPARTMENT or CATEGORY the index format
            is:

                  00000000dddd    dddd = Department #
                  00000000cccc    cccc = Category #

TAX Indicator  Set the tas pointer for this item.

    *Format as the TAXING INDICATOR Specifies applicable tax table rate.

    * Taxing indicators operate as follows:
                0 Do not tax
                1 Tax using terminal table pointer number 1.
                2 Tax using terminal table pointer number 2.
                3 Tax using terminal table pointer number 3.
                4 Tax uses tax table entry 4
                5 Tax uses tax table entry 5

    * A tax table with 5 rates applies for the system.  Each terminal cross-
      references these rates with individual pointer tables.  The crossover
      table allows any item to be taxed based on where it is sold.  A common
      use would be food for take out versus food to be eaten on site.

    * An example of taxing use follows:
 
      System table   Terminal#3     Terminal#5     Item
       1  7.25%        1-1              1-2           1
       2  0.00%        2-2              2-2           2

      In the above example, an item using tax code 1 sold on terminal#3 would
      be taxed using the first table rate or at 7.25%.  The same item sold on
      terminal#5 would use table rate 2 or 0.00%.  Items with tax code 2 would
      be taxed at a 0.00 rate on either terminal.

CATEGORY CODE Set special use flag.

    * The CATEGORY entry is use to set special operation such as:

        1 PLU LINKED to PLU using 1st price field as PLU key
        2 PLU LINKED to SKU using 1st price field as SKU key
        3 PLU LINKED to UPC using 1st price field as UPC key
        4 Extended STRING FUNCTIONS using 24 character long name field
        5 POP-UP ORDER entry preset pointer using DEPT as preset ID
        6 POP-UP MODIFIER entry preset pointer using DEPT as preset ID
        7
        8 Allow CHANGE BACK for charge media (such as ATM cards)
        9 Allow NEGATIVE balance at tender.

     Special CATEGORIES are:

        81 = Rental items such as VIDEO tapes
        97 = Finacial items such as Paid In/Outs

DEPARTMENT # Sets reporting distribution code.

    * A 4 digit department code can be assigned per plu item to provide flash
      reporting based on codes.  A chart of accounts with control fields for 
      totaling and formatting is provided within the departmental reporting.
      Care should be taken when setting up department reports to verify that
      all items summarize to the proper department.

    * Department codes are written with each transaction in the electronic 
      journal.  Merges and special after the fact reporting can then be dev-
      loped based on the department distributions.

    * DEPARTMENT As POP-UP menu preset reference  code:

       POP-UP menus allow an operator to key directily to a broup of PLUs
       and select a group of items without cascading through mmenus.  When
       the CATEGORY field is 5 or 6, then the department field on the
       originating PLU points to the POP-UP applicably preset mask.

SCALE   This flag indicates this ITEM is a scaled item.

      * Scaled items prompt for a SCALE weight reading when scanned or
        struck.  This record contains the unit price, tare weight, etc.
        of the item.

LINK   This flag sets this item record to be used only for LINKAGE.

     * Occasionally a scanned or SKU/UPC item is used only as a method
       of starting an operation.  This LINK flag provides that the code
       scanned or entered will look-up the item and then link forward
       to other functions; examples, being:

          STRING FUNCTIONS  The SKU/UPC may link to a PLU that is a
                            string function.
          TENDER Linkage    The link may allow scanned items to be cross-
                            referenced to tender functions.
          DEPOSIT/RETURNS   Linkage to recycle PLU refunds and returns.

MIX/MATCH  Allows controlled group pricing.

    * A (3) digit code allows items in a MATCH to have a group price.

      An example would be candy bars with a price of three for a dollar.
      If all candy bars in the MIX have the same MATCH code, then for
      pricing purposes they are considered the same even though each
      has a unique bar code (SKU OR UPC).

        If (1)  candy bar is sold, the price would be $0.34.  If the second
        candy bar was sold on the same order, its' price would be $0.33 and
        a third bar would be $0.33 to total $1.00 for the combination.

SPLIT FRACTION  Allows set or group pricing.

    * Split fraction pricing give a quantity price rather than individual
      pricing.

      An example is (3) for a dollar.  In this example, if three of the
      SAME item is purchased, the quantity price is used and not the
      individual price.

         If three of the SAME item a purchased at split fraction price
         3 for $1.00, then the total sales price is $1.00.  If one item
         with a split price of 3 for $1.00, then its' price is $0.34.

TARE  Give the ability to subtract a container weight from a scaling.

   * When a scaled item is weight, the item may be packaged in a container
     that has significant weight.  The customer does not want the container
     weight to enter into the price extension.  Subtracting the TARE
     (tare=container weight) before price extension, means the customer
     pay only for the product and not the container.

     If the container has value, the scaled item should be linked to a
     container deposit or cost item.

ALLOWED DISCOUNTS For per item sales.

    * Sales items can have 8 discount levels.  Manager control is required for
      access to all levels.  When discounts are set and the *Dsc preset is used
      the first three (3) levels can be controlled by all operators.  
    * A master discount table is set for the system using the entry screen
      `fdndc`.  The entries described here are pointers to the primary discount
       table.  Following is an example:
                 Master table            Item Discounts
                   1  0.00 %               1  1
                   2 10.00                 2  2
                   3 20.00                 3  5
                   4 25.00                 4  0
                   5 30.00                 5  7
                   6 40.00                 6  8
                   7 50.00                 7  9
                   8 70.00                 8  0
                   9 100.00
      An item discounted with selection 7 would use discount table entry 9
      to give a 100.00% discount.

COUPON  Allows STORE ISSUED discount coupons.

   * The COUPON flag allow an item be act as a discount or negative sale
     item.  This STORE DISCOUNT COUPON should not be confused with VENDOR
     issue coupons and other special discounts or membership price
     strategies.

DEPOSIT Item   This flag allows the item to be a DEPOSIT.

   * Deposits are normally collected from the customer and are attached
     to the sale of a specific item.  An example would be a bottle deposit
     on canned drinks.  This deposit is not a normal sale because redemption
     is normal when the container is returned.

TAG Arrow  This flag incicates the direction (orientations) of arrow
              pointers when this item record is used to print SHELVE LABELS.

LIST PRICE  This is the unit price field.

   * This price field usually defined the sales price per unit ($/U).

     The entry is in thousands; therefore, an item selling for $2.75
     would be entered as 2750, where the period is ignored.

     If the item is a Mix/Match or Split Fraction item, the price entered
     is the quantity price: for example, split pricing of (3) for a dollar
     would have the entry pf 1000.

     If liquids are bulk sold, the fractional parts may be necessary.  An
     example is gasoline that may be selling for $1.359/gallon will have
     an entry of 1359.

AVERAGE COST  The average cost allows computation of gross margins.

   * The average cost is normally computed from purchases.  If the purchases
     are not implemented and posted to the inventory, manual entry of the
     average cost will remain until modified.

STANDARD PACK  This a numeric definition of the inventory package.

   * The STANDARD PACK usually define the PURCHASE UNITS.  Items may be
     purchased in case lots but sold as cans, each, pounds, onces, etc.

     When purchases are posted to inventory, the standard pack variable
     is multiplied be the units of purchase to give invntory units: or the
     units of sale.

          Inventory units = (Purchase units)*(Standard Pack variable)

LAST COST  This give the last cost on purchases.

   * The last cost of purchases stated as $/U gives an idea of price
     changes, mistakes, and price comparision.
     This value is posted when purchases are added to the inventory.

     The cost variable is not used directly by the Point Of Sales system.

ADVANTAGE FLAG  This flag indicates that this item is subject to
                   ADVANTAGE discounting based on the buying mix and
                   the ADVANTAGE STRATEGY.

                   0 = Ignore advantage discount
                   1 = Advantaged item, recognize strategy for this item

ADVANTAGE STRATEGY  This field allows for the ADVANTAGE STRATEGY.

   * The ADVANTAGE strategy is complex and thorough.  The basic structure
     is:
              xxxmmmssssss where;

              xxx=maximum,  mmm=minimum,  ssssss=strategy array

    Current deals include:

          CENTS OFF
          1 CENT SALE
          HALF PRICE
          BUY ONE, GET = or > VALUED ITEM
          ANY ITEM FREE WITH MINIMUM PURCHASE

    Strategies apply to:

          COUNT ITEMS
          RANDOM WEIGHT ITEMS
          SCALE ITEMS

ADVANTAGE PRICE  This price applies to the ADVANTAGE FLAG & STRATEGY.

   * If an item is advantaged with the deal that buy 4 get $.50 off,
     the price is entered in this field.

               Item unit price = $1.50
               Deal= buy 2 get $.50 second item
               005002000100  Price = $.50
               Where the maximum is 5 and the minimum is 2

               The total cost of the 2 items would be

               2*(1.50) - 0.50 = $2.50

       Many combinations are possible with this system and are not explained
       within these help messages.

QUANTITY Unit  PRICE  This prices allow quantity brakes.
   QUANTITY Brake PRICE

   * A single item may have one price, but if a customer buys a set number
     of items in a package, the quantity price may apply.

     The QUANTITY UNIT PRICE is accociated with the QUANTITY BRAKE PRICE.

     For example, if a six pack sells for $4.20, then

         QUANTITY Unit  Price = 4.200/6.000 = $0.70
         QUANTITY Brake Price = 6.000

         A customer must buy the six pack to receive this price of $4.20
         for the purchase.  The single item price could have been $0.90,

•	Processing Events – MANUAL operation:

1. Run the program GIV_Plum.exe in the POS directory with the command line such as BATCH.TXT, PLUMASTER_DEL.TXT, PLUMASTER_ADD.TXT, etc.
2. The PLUM batch, BATCH.TXT is converted to a comma delimit format and stored in the REPORT directory with the name GIV_PLUM_12_2002-12-30.Mnt.  The numeric are derived from the batch effective date and batch sequence included as data in the batch text.
3. The .Mnt extension identifies the maintenance batch.  This batch can then be processed in several manners into th e SKU-R scan file.

•	Processing Events – AUTOMTIC operation:

1. Run the program GIV_Plum.exe in the POS directory with the command lines such as (-M BATCH.TXT), (-M PLUMASTER_DEL.TXT), (-m PLUMASTER_ADD.TXT), etc.
2. The PLUM batch, BATCH.TXT is converted to a comma delimit format and stored in the REPORT directory with the name GIV_PLUM_12_2002-12-30.Mnt.  The numeric are derived from the batch effective date and batch sequence included as data in the batch text.
3. The .Mnt extension identifies the maintenance batch.  This batch can then be processed in several manners into th e SKU-R scan file.

•	Command Line Automatic Up-date:

1. Run SNC_UpBatK.exe with the command line shown below.  SNC_UpBatK will convert the Mnt batch to a code/amount format with the file name GIV_Plum_12_2002-08-21.UPB.  SNC_UpBatK passes this parameter to the UpBatK32 program which in turn processes a socket connection to the file server and updates the SKU-R database.

FCF2 21 GIV_Plum_12_2002-08-21.Mnt	Sample command line.  FCF2 is the destination server name, 21 is an active server port (use 69), and the (_12_2002-08-21) is date and sequence taken from the Plum batch.  The program test on the first eight (9) characters of the file name (GIV_Plum) to perform maintenance.  The trailing numeric data identifies the files for future reference.

Manual (operator) Up-date:

1. Execute SNC_UpBatK with the target the REPORT directory.  A list will appear of files with the .Mnt extension.  Select the Plum bactch  and the program will connect to the file server and pass the maintenance to the SKU-R (or POS-R) databases.

•	CAUTION Regarding Updating Procedures:

Files processed through SNC_UpBatK will be archived in the PostBack directory.  Maintenance programs can also be executed using the communications execution procedures.