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)
The Manufacturers
details (5 Digits)
Check Digit
(1 Digit)
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.