Question

[anwoke8204]

I was wondering if these could be used for dhpos.
http://www.toshibatecusa.com/Products/P ... fault.aspx

and also is there any way to get the key function to work. I would like the key function as a added security function for managers(insert key and then input manager password) if possible

[Dukane]

I think you should be able to. What you do with a keyboard like this is program each key to send a string of key codes to the computer. For instance, you could program one button for exact chage, and have that key send the command to the end the sale, select cash payment and enter the exact amount and go to the next sale.

Since this is a PS/2, also known as a "keyboard wedge" type keyboard, you should have no problem getting it to work with this program.

[Dale Harris]

I do not know what a "control lock" is supposed to do so I cannot say if it will work with DHPOS. Same with the "key switch."

The "programmable keys" means that you can program each key on the keyboard to be any key you want. For example you can make the 4th key on the third row be [F1]. How this would help you I have no idea.

You can also program any key to be several keys. For example when the 7th key on the second row is pressed it could send 52799541 + [ENTER] to the computer. This could be helpful when ringing up item #52799541 into a sale. Instead of typing in the stock number and then pressing [ENTER] you would only have to press the 7th key on the second row.

However whatever key combination is sent to the computer, it will have no effect if the DHPOS program is not expecting that combination as a possibility. For example, you can label a key "END SALE" and program it to send anything you want to the computer, but if the program is not expecting that you will possibly be sending code 43 (the [+] key) to the computer it will not end the sale.

Let me state this again. Just because you have a key labeled something and pressing that key will send some codes to the DHPOS program, that does not mean thet the DHPOS program will actually do what you want unless DHPOS is expecting those codes as a possibility.

So to get an "END SALE" key to work it will have to send the same code to the computer as pressing the [+] key. In effect you will just have two [+] keys but one of them will be labeled "END SALE" However the "END SALE" will only work when pressing the [+] key would also have worked.

[brucef2112]

<Here are the rantings of a mad man with some prog. kb experience and DHPOS>
I have been using DHPOS with a programmable keyboard
with great success. Its a CHERRY MX 8100 KB W/ touch
mouse pad & credit card reader (found cheap on ebay).
It allows you to adjust the typematic speed rate for playback.
Can store most macros directly in the KB. Has removeable key
cap covers so you can label your keys.

While a programmable KB will greatly enhances the DHPOS experience you need
to be sure both you (with a Common Sense Factor of 92 or better) and
your EMPLOYEES (with a Common Sense Factor of 22) are aware of
EXACTLY when the programmed keys can be used in relation to the
DHPOS menus and screens.

In short the KB is Dumb and Blind and will do nothing to
raise one's Common Sense Factor (CSF) to Average.
If you program a key with a macro to work from the Sales Screen and
you hit this key from the Main Menu it could well be the end of
a nice day when the macro runs and the last thing showing on screen
is confirmation that all selected records have been successfully deleted
from the table! Dohhhh!

Note that a simple change in the posconfig can pretty much muck up your
day because of menu or screen changes that no longer coincide with your
programmed macros. For those using DHPOS with Windows, you need to note that an accidental key press in a windows applicaion can also ruin your day. hmmm, come to think about it, even at the desktop a macro
key could also be the making of a bad day too.

Carefully consider Dale's input, this info, and the average CSF rating at
your location before jumping in with a programmable kb.

With that said, here is some of the POSabilities:
These are macros I've programmed that have
saved me tens of keystrokes at week's end.

In my POS world I have enabled Stock Table, Allow Sales Checks,
collect Customer Info and Return to Sales Screen when transaction is finished.

For my store I only collect customer info for Credit Card or Check transactions.
All Cash sales go to a “Good Customer” record.

With these options enabled, completing a sale is more than hitting the [+] key.
Some save one keystroke; others save more; some just make redundant
tasks seem more enjoyable and make me smile.

Some of these take advantage of the fact that (often) 4 taps of the [Esc]
key will return you to the Main Menu. This allows some macros to be used
from various Screens/Menues in the program.

MY POS KEYS (these are located on a row just above the F keys on the Cherry kb.
When labeling the keys I also include a background color to
help in key recognition)

[No Sale] KEY (from a new Sale screen, reports or main menu, Opens the til)
[Esc] > [Esc] > [Esc] > [Esc] > 4 > [Enter] > 1 > [Enter]

[Cash] KEY
[+] > 3 > [Enter] > [Arrow Dn] > “Good Customer” > [F1] > 2 > [Enter] > [TAB]

[Credit] KEY
[+] > 3 > [Arrow Dn]

[Check] KEY
[+] > 3 > [Arrow Dn]

[Customer Sales Check] (park the sale and print a Sales Check)
[+] > 2 > [Enter]

[Re-print Last Receipt] KEY
[Esc] > [Esc] > [Esc] > [Esc] > 5 > [Enter] > [TAB] > [Esc]
(Really just re-prints whatever the last trans was. Most often you just want
to print another copy of the receipt for the sale just completed. If your
last transaction was a refund/payout/Close Register, that is what will be re-printed.)

[Show Current Sales $ Report] KEY
[Esc] > [Esc] > [Esc] > [Esc] > 8 > [Enter] > A > [Enter] > [+]

[Trim CC info]
(When I’m at the Customer Name field I swipe the card thru
the KB’s CC reader. Most Visa/Master Cards will have the card number
followed by the name. Hitting this “Trim” key removes the card number
in front of the customers name and then includes an [End] key so I can then hold
the backspace key to remove any junk that may be at the end, so just the customer's name remains.
This helps keep duplicate customer records from spawning because of mis-typed names.

Another Real World Example;
If I want to check the current $ sale (either on screen or print) and then I want to
open the til, this is a 2 keystroke process as compared to the 10 keystrokes to do the
same without the programmable kb.

Aside from the 10’s of keystrokes saved every week, a programmable keyboard also
bumps up the Coolness Factor of DHPOS from 100 to about 115!

Note that these macros work for my environment yours may vary
because of your POSCONFIG. And if you choose to go forward and tempt
fate with one of these fancy kb please don’t expect Dale to fix your kb
issues. Remember its up to you to write the macros that work for you and
your environment. (You write ‘em you fix ‘em. If you can’t fix ‘em, then
use the [+] key that Dale has convienently provided in DHPOS).

Bruce
(¯`'·.¸(¯`'·.¸(¯`'·.¸¸.·'´¯)¸.·'´¯)¸.·'´¯)
Have you backed up your data today?

[anwoke8204]

I plan on takinging everything into account, as well as dale won't have to fix my keyboard macro's if I do it as I am a computer tech. and these keyboards will be going on the cash registers in my computer shop. so I should be ok with it