Point of Sale SubsystemCore Module

Counter Terminal Setup

1. Overview & Purpose

What is POS Counter Setup?

POS Counter Terminal Setup manages hardware register workstations. It links checkout points to specific branches and locations, configures thermal printer endpoints, and provides isolated channels for concurrent cashier shifts.

Menu Location:Point of Sale > POS Counter

2. When to Use Counter Setup

Multi-Lane Supermarket Checkout Stations (Lanes 1 to 6)

A high-traffic retail branch deploys 6 physical checkout registers, each equipped with its own cash drawer, 2D barcode scanner, and customer-facing display.

Recommended Action:Register each physical counter (e.g. C-01 to C-06) bound to the branch and location, ensuring cashiers operate in isolated shifts with independent drawer accountability.

Networked Thermal Printer Configuration (ESC/POS over LAN)

Connecting a network-attached thermal slip printer (e.g. Epson TM-T82) located at the checkout counter for auto-cutter receipt printing.

Recommended Action:Enter the exact printer daemon URI (e.g. http://192.168.1.150:5000) in the printerEndpoint field to enable direct silent printing and drawer kick pulse without browser dialogs.

Hardware Failure & Maintenance Lockout

A counter barcode scanner or touch monitor malfunctions during a busy shift and requires technician repair.

Recommended Action:Toggle counter status to Inactive; the system immediately prevents cashiers from initializing new shifts on that broken register while directing customers to adjacent lanes.

Pop-Up Exhibition & Weekend Event Terminal Provisioning

The enterprise operates a temporary 3-day weekend booth at a convention center using a laptop and mobile thermal printer.

Recommended Action:Create a temporary counter record bound to the Exhibition location, enabling separate revenue tracking and stock deduction for the event.

3. Data Dictionary & Fields

Schema definition for the pos_counters table:

Field / Column	Input Type	Requirement	Description & Operational Guide
code	STRING(50)	Required	Unique terminal identification code (e.g. C-01).
name	STRING(100)	Required	Human-readable terminal label displayed on shift selectors and receipts.
branchId	BIGINT (FK)	Required	Reference to branches table indicating the operational branch.
locationId	BIGINT (FK)	Required	Reference to locations table defining storage room and stock deduction context.
printerEndpoint	STRING(255)	Optional	Network URI for ESC/POS printer daemon (e.g. http://192.168.1.50:5000).
isActive	BOOLEAN	Required	Active status. Only active terminals can open cashier sessions.
remarks	TEXT	Optional	Internal operational notes or hardware asset identifiers.

4. Interface Preview

POS Counter management console displaying registered workstations, branch bindings, and ESC/POS printer status.

inventories-web

Menu Location:Route: /admin/point-of-sale/pos-counter

Screen Preview: POS Counter Management Interface

Visual interface illustration and control layout for menu Route: /admin/point-of-sale/pos-counter

1Add POS Counter2Search & Status Filters3Printer Endpoint Configuration4Edit & Deactivation Actions

POS Counter setup grid showcasing registered physical registers, branch/location assignment, and printer daemon URLs.

5. Registering a Terminal

Open POS Counter Management

Navigate to Point of Sale > POS Counter from the sidebar.

Launch Counter Form

Click Add POS Counter button in the top-right toolbar.

Assign Branch & Location

Select Branch and Location where the physical machine operates.

Enter Code & Hardware URI

Input Code, Name, and optional ESC/POS Thermal Printer Endpoint.

Printer URI must start with http:// or https://.

Save Terminal

Click Save to register the terminal workstation.

6. Updating Configurations

Locate Counter

Search by counter name or code in the data table.

Edit Configuration

Click the Edit action button on the counter row.

Save Updates

Modify settings or printer endpoint and click Save.

7. Deactivating Terminals

Open Shift Constraint

Never deactivate a terminal that currently has an OPEN cashier shift. Ensure the active cashier performs blind closing before altering counter availability.

Verify No Open Shift

Ensure no active OPEN cashier shift is linked to this counter.

Toggle Inactive Status

Change status to Inactive in Edit modal and submit.

8. Cross-Module Impact

Target Subsystem	Relational & Transactional Effect
Shift Management	Enforces one open cashier shift per active counter workstation.
Cashier Terminal	Provides inventory deduction source and receipt printing destination.
POS Reporting	Enables lane-by-lane sales turnover aggregation and cash audits.

Operational Best Practices

Use static IP addresses for receipt printers to avoid disconnection after DHCP renewal.
Include lane numbers in the counter code for rapid troubleshooting during rush hours.