Support is in for the CipherLab 8000 batch scanner, now for sale for use with ExtremePOS, Musicware, and Praiz POS for doing physical inventory in the system.  Below are instructions on using this simple but powerful device.

Scanning Inventory:
Important:  You will select whether a batch is comprised of new or used items at time of import into the system.  Unless you are using new/used prefixes on your barcodes, you must capture new inventory and used inventory in separate batches.
On the scanner, select "Collect" from the power on menu.  This will take you into scanning mode.  Pressing and holding the orange button at the top center of the scanner will activate the scan.  Use this to scan the articles.  After each scan, you will need to enter the quantity scanned; if you wish to take the default of 1, simply hit one of the blue buttons, otherwise enter the quantity using the number keys and then hit the blue button.
You may exit scan mode by pressing the ESC key to return to the main menu; from this menu, you may see a count of the number of items scanned by looking in the lower righthand corner.  We recommend importing into the system at least every 1000 items.
 
Importing Batches into ExtremePOS:
1.  You must have a desktop physical inventory count started before importing any batches.  This can be found from the login screen, in the tools menu, under physical inventory -> desktop.  For detailed information on this process, consult the user's manual.
2.  Importing a batch has the same effect as if you had scanned all of the items into the count inventory screen.  You may use as many or few batches as you need to do a single inventory.
3.  Items that were not in inventory or were not in the inventoried departments and categories at the time the inventory count was started will not be counted (as is also true for the normal counting procedure).  After each batch, the InvError.txt file in the shared files directory will contain a list of invalid items in the most recent batch.
4.  All batches should be imported at the same station.  Normal counting may be done at any or all stations.  Multiple scanners can share the same cradle unit.
In order to import a batch, first, from the main menu on the scanner, select upload.  The device should show "Connecting:  Press ESC to cancel".  Place it in the cradle, then, from the physical inventory screen, press the "Import from Remote Device" button.

This will bring up the box allowing you to select whether this is a primarily new or used batch.  If you are using barcodes with new or used prefixes, those will override this default.  Once you select this, the computer will attempt to import the batch from the scanner.

One of our lesser-known products, the Kiosk Application can be used with one of our retail systems to allow for a customer lookup station.  This will allow your customers to check for your stock status or pricing of a particular item with the same searches you have in the software, improving customer service and allowing you to compete in convenience with the big chain stores where this feature is common.  For further information, including screenshots, the Kiosk Application is featured at our website.

The busiest time of year is coming soon, and the last thing you need during the holiday season is computer problems.  The following simple things are good habits to be in to avoid issues, or if the worst happens to make certain that you can be up and running as quickly as possible:

1.  Have an up-to-date antivirus and antispyware program on your computer.  These will give you at least some protection from malicious software, and are well worth the money and computer resources they take up.

2.  Make nightly backups of your database.  Make this a part of your closing routine, and take it off of the server computer at least once a week; more often if you can.

3.  Consider making full computer backups.  There are a variety of solutions for this, ranging from Norton Ghost for the more technically minded user to an automatic device like Rebit for a plug and forget solution.  While none of these are bulletproof (after all, a full computer backup you make with a virus in it is still going to have that virus if it's restored) they can get you quickly up and running in the event of a hard drive failure.

4.  Update Windows regularly.  You may not want to enable automatic updates, but if you don't, make certain you're downloading them.  These often patch security holes that are being exploited, and should be fixed as soon as possible.