The business unit of Challenger shop at The Mines, Selangor connected to Local Area

Network (LAN) to use the Point of Sales. The LANs connected terminals and computers which
each computer in a LAN has its own CPU where it can executes programs, however it also is
able to access data and devices anywhere on the LAN. This means that Challenger workers can
share expensive devices, such as laser barcode scanner as well as data at any time. According to
Mr.Alif, LANs are accomplished of transmitting data at very fast rates, yet the distances are
limited because there is also a limit on the number of computers that can be attached to a single
LAN. As the Challenger shop uses only few computers the LAN network able to run fast
constantly at all the time.
As we know, LAN can categories into few topology which is the physical design of the
network or the path data takes when it goes from one computer to another. Therefore, Challenger
shop uses bus topology which consists of a Backbone cable connecting all nodes on a network
without intervening connectivity devices. The single cable is called Bus and can support only
one channel for communication; as a result, every node shares the buss total capacity.
As we discuss with Mr. Alif, he said the Challenger shop is uses the linear bus topology
consists of nodes which connect to a terminated main linear cable which is the backbone. The
linear bus topology requires the least amount of cabling and networking equipment which
making it the most cost-effective topology. This makes the Challenger shop to be conviennent in
their daily business life. However, according to Mr. Alif the linear bus depends on the backbone
being constantly available and making it a single point-of-failure if it has to be taken off-line or
is severed.
The bus cable carries the transmitted message along the cable. As the message arrives at
each workstation, the workstation computer checks the destination address contained in the
message to see if it matches it's own. If the address does not match, the workstation does nothing
more. In Challenger Point of Sales, the process starts when the cashier scan the product using
laser handheld scanner, the message is transmittes along the cable and is visible to the computer.
The computer will read the price of the product and save the payment paid by the customer and
those information transmitted to another computer where it saves the amount of products
available in the shop. The bus topology process in Challenger Point of Sales is very simply
because it involves only few information and they will often update the system which make their
system clear all the time.

The hardware plays an important role in Point-of-Sale system, it specialized to perform a
very specific task Therefore, there are several hardwares uses by the Challenger shop in bus
topology in order to make the system run effiencyly. The list of hardwares uses by the
Challenger shop are
1) Point of Sales (POS) Terminal
A POS terminal is a computerized replacement for a cash register. This POS terminal
is more multifaceted than the cash registers because it can include the ability to record
and track customer orders, process credit and debit cards, connect to other systems in a
network, and manage inventory. Generally, a POS terminal has as its core a personal
computer, which is provided with application-specific programs and information devices
for the particular environment in which it will serve. A POS system for Challenger shop,
is likely to have all details of items such as the price and the quantity available in display
and in the store which were stored in a database that can be queried for information in a
number of ways. Increasingly, POS terminals are also Web-enabled, which makes remote
training and operation possible, as well as inventory tracking across geographically-
dispersed locations. Moreover, the Challenger shop uses POS Terminal which is compact
with computers that have integrated touchscreens specifically designed for POS
application. Their compact design helps save counter space to handle any environment.
Simply add a few peripherals and POS software to one of these terminals for a complete
POS solution.


2) Laser Barcode Scanner
The barcode scanner actually processes the information it reads sending the equivalent
of letters and numbers to any of a number of interfaces with the POS software program.
Barcode scanners use a variety of methods to read the small vertical lines and spaces of
a barcode label. The Challenger shop uses Laser Barcode scanner in order to provide the
more rapidly services in the cash counter. According to Mr. Alif a Laser Barcode Scanner
does not need to be in contact with a barcode to read it. A standard range Laser Barcode
Scanner can read a barcode from about 6 to 24 inches away, and a long range Scanner
can read one from about 2 to 8 feet away. Certain extra long-range Laser Barcode
Scanner is capable of reading a barcode from up to 30 feet away. However , the
Challenger shop uses the Laser Barcodes Scanner only for 6 to 24 inches and the uses
handheld Laser Barcodes Scanner of factor form.




3) POS Keyboard
POS keyboards go further than the traditional PC keyboard with a variety of
additional POS options. It has programmable keys which allows Challenger shop to
customize the function of a particular key on the keyboard. The keys can be programmed,
usually with a supplied software program, to perform repetitive functions by pressing 1
key rather than a series of keys. This will reduces the checkout time, clerk mistakes and
training time. The keyboard usually has a clear cap that covers the label. Another
advantages is POS keyboards are usually smaller and more durable than conventional
units.

4) Payment Terminal
Challenger shop receives the payments from customers through cash and credit cards.
However, Mr, Alif said the most sales transactions being paid for with credit and debit cards
today, thus, Payment Terminal is being convenient, accurate, and secure way to process
payments. Depending on the model and your payment service provider, you can easily process
cards independently or alongside your POS system.


5) Customer Display
Customer displays, available as pole or desktop models, can deliver price information and
advertising to a customer at the POS. Customer displays contain LCD displays that connect to
your system through a USB connection which makes it easy for your customers to follow each
transaction with the right customer display.


The software is the essential part of any POS system and it should fits to the Challenger
business. According to Mr.Alif , he said that they uses Microsoft Windows XP in Point of Sales
which can be customized and fit with the needs of the business because the window XP is a user
friendly software.
The main function of window XP in point of sales system in Challenger shop is Windows
File Protection and Windows Installer which enhanced the software restriction policies and
proactive multitasking design, thus this software helps to prevent the point of sales system stuck
in middle of the business which makes the window engine helps to enhanced device driver
verifier dramatically to reduced reboot scenarios.
Moreover, the point of sales the scalable memory and processor support by the Encrypting
File System (EFS) with multi-user. The Encrypting File System (EFS) is a feature of Windows
that you can use to store information on the hard disk in an encrypted format. Encryption is the
strongest protection that Windows provides to help you keep your information secure. The
information stored by the Challenger shop in this EPS software is details about the products and
payment details.
Furthermore, the window XP is also helps the Point of Sales system to automatically update
features and improved Graphical User Interface (GUI). The GUI software helps the POS system
works speedily and make the worker at Challenger shop use the POS system easily with
appropriate command using GUI software. This save the workers training time and easily vacant
worker for sales person in that shop.