Datacap Credit Card Interface with SAM4s Cash Registers

OK, I get this question weekly. Can I interface my credit card terminal to my cash register. The answer is yes if you have the right credit card terminal. You must have a Datacap credit card terminal. The Datacap products are the only credit card device I know of that interface to cash registers.




So the Datacap products are not the traditional credit card terminal you are probably thinking of. The reason for that is that the Datacap products must have the cash register to work. Unlike the traditional credit card terminal Datacaps have no printer and no keypad as it uses the cash registers. Here is a picture of on of the standard Datacap terminals


As you can see it has not keypad and no printer. It does however have a serial port that connects to the cash register and a phone jack or Ethernet port to connect to either the phone line or the Internet. Yes this can process high speed over the Internet.

So once you have this connected to the cash register you can just put it under the counter and forget about it. Everything credit card related will now happen at the cash register. Once you ring up a sale and press the charge key of the cash register you will be prompted to swipe the card, you swipe the card, the cash register passes the info to the Datacap, the Datacap connects to the credit card network and approves or disapproves the transaction and give the info to the cash register, which then prints the information out on its receipt tape for the customer to sign. All this happens in just seconds and it really a fast process. At the end of the day you can batch for the cash register or have your service set up to auto batch in the middle of the night.

So why would you want to interface a cash register and credit card terminal? The three biggest reasons are speed, transaction accuracy, and security. How and why are explained here

• You do not have to re-enter the total of the sale into the credit card terminal thus saving time.
• You do not have to re-enter the total into a credit card terminal and make a big mistake (happen all the time) for an example often times a sale of lets say $19.99 could easily be entered as $1.99 and no one will notice. When interfaced to a cash register this can not happen.
• When interfaced you can not run a credit card transaction without ringing up a sale. The helps prevent theft to the business owner and card holder. What happened in the past is a cashier would use the merchant copy of a credit card slip and manually enter the credit card number of the last customer and run it for what ever dollar amount. They then take that dollar amount out of your cash register. When you run the end of day your receipts will still match you sale totals. You would have no idea a cashier just stole from you customer until your customer calls with the credit card fraud.

Learn more about Datacap here and find our more about Datacap terminals and Cash Registers here

Cash Registers in Tacoma

National Business Systems Inc. (NBS) has been serving Tacoma, Seattle, and the greater Puget Sound Area of Washington State for over 36 years now. NBS's products include Sharp Cash Registers, SAM4s Cash Registers, Digital Dining Restaurant, Aldelo Pro, Microsoft POS, Microsoft RMS, and paper and ink ribbons for all types of Cash Registers and POS printers.

So go to NBS for the best Cash Registers in Tacoma

Samsung Cash Registers

So many people ask me about Samsung Cash Registers and where did they go. They did not go anywhere, just the name changed.

While Samsung marketed their cash registers they never made them. They were always made by someone else. So Samsung for whatever reason decided they did not want to sell Cash Registers any longer. So the company that always made them in the first place decided to take them to market themselves and began to sell them as SAM4s. I have no idea why they choose a goofy name like SAM4s but I'm sure they have their own reasons.

So bottom line, same great cost effective cash registers, different goofy name. Check them out here Samsung Cash Registers whoops I meant SAM4s Cash Registers

SAM4s ER-285M and ER-265M Cash Registers with Free Software

So I heard some sites are charging customers for the software that comes FREE from the manufacture for the SAM4s ER-285M and the ER-265 Cash Registers.

The Cash Register Guys give you the software for free when you buy the register from them. You still have to buy the cable of make your own, but that is still a savings of $99.00 compared to some of the sites that are gouging customers for software that is really free, shame on them.

So to buy a SAM4s ER-285M or SAM4s ER-265 Cash Register check the Cash Register Guys, they treat you right.

POS Systems In Seattle

If you need a POS System in Washington State look no further then National Business Systems, Inc. POS Systems and Cash Registers in Seattle

They are a full service Cash Register and POS System Dealer offering SAM4s Cash Registers, Sharp Cash Registers, Keystroke POS, Microsoft POS, Microsoft RMS, Digital Dining, Aldelo, and more.

SAM4s ER-650 Interfaces

We get a lot of questions regarding the different interfaces available for the SAM4s ER-650 and ER-650R Cash Registers. If you don't know the differance between the two models the ER650 and the ER650R is that one has a flat keyboard for a restaurant (650) and the other is a raised keyboard designed for retail (the 650R) other then that they are the same machines

So the interfaces are many, however the available ports are few. The Samsung ER-650 and ER-650R only have two serial ports and no option for more. So keep that in mind that yes the machine can have a bunch of stuff connected it can only have two of them at the same time. So here ya go for the list of interfaces I know of

• PC (SAM650 and SAM650i and PC POLL)
• Kitchen Printer
• Bar Code Scanner
• Kitchen Video
• DVR Text Inserter
• Coin Changer
• Pole Display
• Liquor Dispenser
• Guest Check Printer
• Scale
• Credit Card Interface (High Speed and Dial)
• Gift Card Interface
• Pin Pad Interface

There may be a few more but I don't think so.

SAM4s ER-5115-II Cash Register

With an affordable plain paper dot-matrix printer the SAM4s ER-5115-II electronic cash register now features a fast reliable Epson M-U420 receipt/jounral printer with easy-to-use single-line validation.

• Compatible with popular RS-232C options.
• Program Save/Load PC Utility
• 2 station, 9 pin bi-directional dot-matrix printing.
• 15, expandable to 40 programmable departments.
• 1,000 price look-ups (PLUs) with stock counter.
• Cash, check, and 2 charge tendering keys.
• Four clerks or cashiers.
• 12 character department, clerk, and PLU descriptors.
• 21 character, 6 line programmable receipt message.
• 3 menu levels.
• 5 macro keys.
• Transaction cancel
• Food stamp sorting and tendering.
• Gallonage calculation.
• Add check or tray subtotal.
• Hash departments.
• Daily sales report for 31 days.
• Validation.

Here is a website that offers the best price on the SAM4s ER-5115II Cash Register

SAM4s ER-5215M Cash Register

The SAM4s ER-5215M is a cost effective ECR with built-in flexibility to serve a wide range of retail applications. It features an adjustable two-line alpha-numeric LCD screen and a traditional raised key keyboard with 5, 10 or 15 NLU keys. NLUs access PLU memory and function as traditional departments

The SAM4s ER-5200M series electronic cash registers feature separate integral receipt and journal thermal printers that print wide 2-1/4" (58mm) receipts at an amazing 13.3 lines per second. Print and store logo, or place any custom black/white graphic image at the top and/or bottom of the receipt

Polling Software For Your SAM4s Electronic Cash Register
SAM Series Communication Software enhances your Samsung/SAM4s electronic cash register providing unprecedented point-of-sale convenience. You'll be able to quickly spot trends and react to changing business conditions.

Optional SAM Communication Software Polling Software For Your SAM4s Electronic Cash Register will Collect cash register reports from the convenience and privacy of your office.
Backup the considerable data in your cash register. Keep a current backup of your cash register program and more.

Options Includes

• Credit Card Interface
• Gift Card Interface
• Scale Interface
• Barcode Scanner Interface
• Computer Interface

Here is a link for the best price on a SAM4s ER-5215M Cash Register

SAM4s ER-285 Cash Register

The SAM4s ER-285M is a very cool register. Although it has a flat keyboard it really is a good machine for a retail store that want bar code scanning. Capable of thousands of UPC's and including software the machine at it's price level can't be beat. It is a commercial grade machine featuring serial ports, optional credit card interface, gift card interface, scale interface, DVR interface and more. Here is a link for the best price on the SAM4s ER-285M Cash Register

SAM4s ER-265 Cash Register

So the SAM4s ER-265 is a great little cash register. Very low profile and small foot print. Not a real big keyboard, but not a big price for it either. Includes fast thermal printer and locking 5 bill 5 coin cash drawer. This machine is a good choice for fast food and bars that don't want to itemize evey drink or menu item. Pretty easy machine to program but not as easy as the SAM4s ER-650 is. Here is a link for the best price on the SAM4s ER-265 Cash Register

The ER-265 also has free software for the machine, you have to buy or make a cable to interface though.

SAM4s Cash Registers

SAM4s makes a great line up of commercial grade cash registers. From entry level registers to high end feature rich POS terminals. The most popular model they have is the SAM4s ER-650, which is a very powerful and affordable cash register. The current model line up includes

• SAM4s ER-150
• SAM4s ER-265
• SAM4s ER-285
• SAM4s ER-290
• SAM4s ER-350II
• SAM4s ER-380M
• SAM4s ER-390M
• SAM4s ER-650
• SAM4s ER-650R
• SAM4s ER-655II
• SAM4s ER-5115II
• SAM4s ER-5215M
• SAM4s ER-5240M
• SAM4s SER-7000
• SAM4s SER-7040
• SAM4s SPS-2000

Most of the SAM4s Cash Registers can interface to:

• Computer
• Integrated Credit Card
• Pin Pad
• Scale
• Coin Changer
• DVR Surveillance
• Kitchen Video
• Kitchen Printer
• Integrated Gift Card
• Barcode Scanner

One real nice thing about SAM4s compared to other brands is that they make the options affordable. A couple good spots to buy these online are SAM4s Cash Registers from The Cash Register Guys and SAM4s Cash Registers from POS Estore. Both also carry supplies and offer support.

SAM4s Cash Register Keyboard Covers

The CRG's have SAM4s Cash Register Keyboard covers and Samsung Cash Register Keyboard Covers for almost every model. Prices start at about $20.00 and up. A great investment for the protection they provide.

Check out SAM4s Cash Register Keyboard Covers and Samsung Cash Register Keyboard Covers

SAM4s SER-7000 vs. SAM4s ER-650

So a lot of people asked what the difference is between the SAM4s SER-7000 and the SAM4s ER-650 Cash Registers

Both are great cash registers but are like apples to oranges in many regards. Both are designed for all types of restaurants. Following I will try and point out the biggest differences

SAM4s SER-7000 Features
On Board Thermal Printer Yes, two station
Flat Keyboard Yes, 160 key positions
Display Yes, Multi-Line LCD
RS232 Ports Yes, 4
Inter-Register Communications Yes, 32 machines max
Shared Kitchen Printer(s) Yes
Shared Guest Checks Yes
Forced Modifiers Yes
Window Buttons Yes (every key)
Memory Expansion Yes 4 chips max
Time and Attendance Yes
PS/2 Keyboard Port Yes

SAM4s ER-650
On Board Thermal Printer Yes, single station
Flat Keyboard Yes, 98 key positions
Display Yes, Multi-Line LCD
RS232 Ports Yes, 2 max
Inter-Register Communication Yes, 8 machines max
Shared Kitchen Printer(s) NO
Shared Guest Checks NO
Forced Modifiers NO
Window Buttons Yes Max 8
Memory Expansion Yes 2 chips max
Time and attendance Yes
PS/2 Keyboard Port No

So there are more differences, but here are the highlights. The SAM4s SER-7000 Cash Register is better when you need more then one register and you want them to share a kitchen printer. The SER-7000 has a larger keyboard, a two station printer, and does forced modifiers which work very well with Kitchen Printers.

If you only need one register and don't have a large menu and want forced modifiers for a kitchen printer the SAM4s ER-650 is a great choice.

The are both great cash registers and very easy to program and use as cash registers go.

Credit Card Interface with SAM4s Cash Registers

So many people ask me about interfacing credit card payments to SAM4s Cash Registers. Integrated Credit Card Cash Registers have been around for some time now. Many of the SAM4s Cash Registers have an optional Integrated Credit Card Feature.

There is only one company that I know of that makes a credit card terminal that interfaces to a Cash Register. That company is Datacap Systems. Their products include the Datacap 162SL 162ML, IPTran, No Load Twin Tran, and the Autoload Twin Tran. The Datacap products are not like traditional credit card terminals, they only work when interfaced to a Cash Register.

The Datacap device connects to a serial port on the SAM4s Cash Register. When connected the cash register will print the credit card draft on its printer, and of course you use the 10 pad of the cash register for all numeric entry.

When you Integrate Credit Card Payments to Cash Registers you can make more money by reducing 10 key errors because the cash register will already know they amount of the sale. Also it can eliminate fraud because credit card transactions must be registered in the cash register before the credit card can be processed. This will keep cashiers from running a credit card without ringing it up in the cash register, which is often how cashiers steal cash from the till. Also it is often used by stealing cashiers to run a customers card again after they leave and remove cash from the till.

Integrated Credit Card Payments often times are faster then using a cash register and a standalone credit card terminal. Again because there is no reason to re-enter amounts, and when you use a high speed Datacap the transaction could take as little as 4 seconds.

Many SAM4s Cash Registers can also interface to several Gift Card programs when you already have the credit card interface.

Click here to learn more about Interfacing Credit Card Payments to SAM4s Cash Registers with Datacap Terminals.

SAM4s ER-650 Cash Register

The SAM4s ER-650 also known as the Samsung ER-650 is one of the best cash registers ever made. This little machine is the most powerful and easy to use cash register I have seen in 20 years.

The LCD display makes this machine so easy to use and program. I could program this machine without a manual just by following the prompts on the display. Much of the programming is fill in the blanks.

The ER-650 has many options that make it even more powerful. The options include credit card interface, gift card interface, kitchen printer, computer interface, coin changer, scale, dvr interface, bar code scanner, kitchen video, and maybe a few more.

Ok what are the drawbacks? Well there are a few. The machine comes with and has a max of 2 serial ports so you are limited to two options. The machine can not share a kitchen printer with another ER-650 even though it has built in IRC. Even in an IRC network the ER-650 can not share guest checks. There are a few more drawbacks, but keep in mind the price. If you need the few features not found you can move up the model list to the SER-7000

Here is a link for the best place to buy the SAM4s ER-650 Cash Register

Samsung and SAM4s Cash Registers

SAM4s Cash Registers (formerly known as Samsung) are fantastic cash registers. They range in price from a $250.00 ish to $2000.00 SAM4s registers include many feature that are options in other makes. The options they do offer are affordable and much more cost effective then some other register makes.

Two of the best sources for SAM4s Cash Registers are The Cash Register Guys and Point of sale estore both sites offer the entire line of SAM4s Cash Registers as well as service and support.

The way I understand it is that Samsung never made cash registers but had them made and marketed under their name. However Samsung decided to get out of the Cash Register biz for some reason. So when they did the company that always made the Samsung registers (sorry I can't pronounce their name or know how to spell it) decided they wanted to sell the cash registers directly. So they decided to name the line SAM4s and market the same cash registers and new models worldwide. I don't know where they got the name as it is horrible, but the machines are great! They have been coming out with new models and features and very good prices! So bottom line Bad name, great products!