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Serving Retailers since 2000                       Newsletter
 December 2014
In This Issue
Task Scheduling
OneDrive
Physical Inventory
Inventory Tools
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With the end of the year upcoming, make certain that you grab a backup, prepare for a physical inventory, and do the other things necessary this time of year.
Task Scheduling Database Backups
  

Go to control panel

Administrative Tools

Task Scheduler

Along the left hand side click on "Task Scheduler Library"

Under actions, click "Create Basic Task..."

Make the name something you will remember, such as escbackup

Under trigger, select "daily" and select a time that the computer will be on

For actions, select "Start a Program"

In program/script, type OSQL

In arguments, things are a little bit more complex but essentially take the form:

-E -S 127.0.0.1\extremepos -Q "backup database esc_v20 to disk = 'F:\ESCDailyBackup.bak' with init"

 

The server instance, which is the portion after the S, will be 127.0.0.1\extremepos for the majority of users, but some users may have a slightly different configuration.  Supported users can contact support for assistance with this.

 

The part immediately after the equals sign is the full path and file name you want to make the backup to, inside of single quotes.

You should run the task, and verify that the backup is correctly made.

Microsoft OneDrive
  

We've previously talked about using cloud storage services to store backups of your databases.  Starting sometime next year, Microsoft will be offering unlimited storage with a subscription to Microsoft Office 365.

 

This can work similarly to the way Dropbox does, for those who have used that solution - by setting a folder to be automatically synced to the service, then make backups to that folder.  This may take some time to complete, depending on the file size, but it can assist with getting backups offsite in case of a disaster such as fire or theft.

Physical Inventory

 

Doing a physical inventory can be a very stressful time.  A quick review of the basics of doing it can help, however.  A more detailed explanation may be found in the manual; to access it from within the program on the main invoice screen go to the help menu and then ExtremePOS Help.  For Praiz and Musicware users, this is Praiz Help or Musicware Help respectively.

1.  Start eXtremePOS and select Tools -> Physical Inventory -> Desktop from the login screen to enter the Physical Inventory screen. 

2.  Select the department(s) you want to inventory. To inventory your entire store, select "All" from the Department list box. To select multiple departments, hold down the "Control" key and click each department you want to select.

Note: While taking Physical Inventory, ExtremePOS will only recognize and count items in the selected departments.
Click the OK button. This will create a Physical Inventory database

IMPORTANT: You will need to COMPLETE inventory in the selected departments before you update quantities to your store database. At that point, you will be able to go back and select other
department(s) to inventory.

3. You should select "Continue Counting" to bring up the Count screen and begin taking inventory. Select "View Depts" if you want to see a list of departments currently being inventoried.

4. Collect inventory from the Count Screen
    In order to count an item:
    1. Enter the quantity in the Quantity box
    2. Indicate whether this is a new or used item by selecting the appropriate option button.
   3. Scan the item OR type in the item number and hit OK Information about the item including expected and actual quantities for new and used will be shown in the "Last Item Scanned" box. When you have completed taking inventory, exit the Count screen by selecting "Done".

5. View Discrepancy Report
Select View or Print inventory discrepancy report to see all differences between expected and actual quantities, and value of any lost inventory. 
Note: When quantities are updated, the final discrepancy report will be automatically saved to your store data directory under Backup\Reports. The filename will be based on the date and time the report was created. The program will inform you of the location and filename that the final report is saved to.

6. Update Quantities
Selecting "Update Inventory" will overwrite the quantities in your store database with the counted quantities in your physical inventory database. Update should not be performed until you have COMPLETELY inventoried the departments you have selected. Quantities will be updated ONLY for the departments which you have inventoried during this session. It is recommended that you view the discrepancy report one last time before updating quantities to verify that you are ready to perform the
update. When the update is performed, it CANNOT be undone. If you find you need to adjust the quantities after you have already performed the update, you will need to do this at the inventory
maintenance screen.

If you wish for any reason to discard the inventory taken thus far, select "Clear Physical Inventory Count". This will delete the quantities and allow you to restart inventory from scratch. This is
primarily helpful if you are experimenting with the software rather than actually taking inventory. Be aware that once you select "Clear Physical Inventory Count", it CANNOT be undone. 
 

Physical Inventory Tools
  

The above process can be done with just your standard wired scanner at your point of sale station.  However, we do offer tools to make the process easier, possibly allowing you to do it more frequently and therefore keep a tighter control on your inventory.

First, instead of a normal, wired scanner, you can use a bluetooth-based wireless scanner. This device can go up to 328 feet away within your store and act as a scanner for your desk; you can also use it as a normal scanner the rest of the time.  However, you'll need someone watching the computer for any errors (such as the item you've scanned not being set up in inventory, or not in the department you're working with) and you won't be able to use both it and a normal scanner on the same station at the same time. We sell this device for $499.99

The other mobile option is a specialized batch scanner and mobile terminal that can be used to collect a large number of scans and then upload them all together to the inventorying station.  You can use these at the same time as the station's own scanner, and at any distance or even in other buildings. In fact, while collecting the data the pos system doesn't even have to be on. You may also, for larger stores, have several in use at any time for an even quicker inventory process.  These do not have the capability to work as normal scanners, however.  They are about the size of a cell phone and run off of normal AAA batteries. 

Version 3.4.0 is currently available to supported users.

We will be closed Thursday, December 25th and Friday, December 26th in honor of Christmas, and Thursday, January 1st 2015 for New Year's Day.

Not supported?  Get supported here!

You may view an archive of our emails here! 

Sincerely,
 

Jeremy Spencer
Support Manager
Extreme Point Of Sale Inc
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