SAM4s Cash Registers with Graphic Logo Ability

Many but not all SAM4s Cash Registers support Graphic Logos instead of just the standard text logo. Black and white or monochrome artwork is required and it needs to be pretty small. You will also need an interface cable that does not come with the machine and the utility software which is often free is often not included in the register box.

here is a list of SAM4s models that have this feature

1. SAM4s ER-285M
2. SAM4s ER-380
3. SAM4s ER-380M
4. SAM4s ER-390M
5. SAM4s ER-5200M
6. SAM4s ER-5215M
7. SAM4s ER-5240
8. SAM4s SER-7000
9. SAM4s SER-7040
10. SAM4s SPS-520 FT
11. SAM4s SPS-520 RT
12. SAM4s SPS-530 FT
13. SAM4s SPS-530 RT

By the way anything with an M on the end of the model number indicates that machine has an Integrated Credit Card option however not all machines that interface to credit acrd payments end in an M for example all the 500 series Interface to Credit Card Payments.

SAM4s SPS-530 RT Cash Register

There are 4 model numbers in the SAM4s SPS-500 series and they are pretty simple

• SAM4s SPS-520 FT
• SAM4s SPS-520 RT
• SAM4s SPS-530 FT
• SAM4s SPS-530 RT

If there is a 20 in the model number then that machines features both a receipt and journal printer. If there is a 30 in the number then that machine has a single 3 1/8th thermal printer. The FT models have flat keyboards for restaurants and the RT means Retail or raised key (Tactile) better suited for a store that enters prices or UPC's at the register

Program your SAM4s ER-5215M Cash Register Tax Rate

Here is how you program the tax rate on his SAM4s ER-5215M cash register. Easy task when you have the programming manual. In the manual this is on page 90. But here is a quick guide to programming tax on the SAM4s ER-5215M cash register. In this example I'm going to set tax rate 1 at 8.5% in a simple flat rate tax NO GST and NO VAT like most states sales taxes are set up. If in doubt make sure and check with you state department of revenue of the rate and type of sales tax you should be collecting. Check with your own CPA or bookkeeper as well!

OK here goes

1. Key To P (program mode)
2. Enter 8.50000 Press "Tax Shift 1" Press "Cash"

Your done, make sure and turn the key out of P to R and test!

Couple quick notes lets say you wanted to change Tax Rate #2 not 1 then replace "Tax Shift 1" with the "Tax Shift 2" button if Tax 3 then use Tax Shift 3, if tax 4 then use Tax shift 4. Pretty easy huh!

If you tax was 8% your first entry would be 8.00000 or 9.25% it would have been 9.25000 again pretty easy huh!

Keep in mind THIS DOES NOT MAKE A DEPARTMENT OR PLUS TAXABLE IT SIMPLY SETS THE RATE. You must program the tax status of a group or PLU to make it taxable or not and that is a different post!

remember do this at your own risk. If you need help seek out a cash register company but be pre-pared a few bucks for their help!
Thanks

Electronic Journal in SAM4s Cash Registers

Electronic Journals (EJ) have replaced the traditional journal or audit tape in traditional cash registers. The way the EJ works is that it stores the transactions in memory instead of printing them on the internal audit tape like older registers.

Keep in mind this has nothing to to with your sales report. The old journal tapes and now EJ's are an AUDIT tape or record not a sales report. Even if you new cash register has an EJ you will still get your traditional X and Z reports (sales reports)

With the old school audit tapes when you had a balancing issue or massive over ring to resolve you would open the printer cover and start going through the printed audit tape or journal tape (same thing) until you spotted the problem. The EJ works in a similar way other then it prints to memory as you go rather then paper. So when you need to look into the audit tape to resolve an issue you have to print out the EJ and look at it. After it is printed it it exactly like the traditional audit/journal tape. Some registers allow you to print portions of the EJ to the screen of the register (if it has a screen) instead of printing it out.

There is one HUGE difference between between an old school physical audit tape and an EJ. A physical tape is limited by the size of the roll but when at and end the register in most cases prompts the user to change the paper. We the EJ has limits by the amount of memory in the cash register and it adjusted by programming in most cases. An EJ is sized by number of lines. So for an example a single item sale is about 7 lines (depending on the make and model of the cash register) you would have a line for date and time a line for register # Transaction # Cashier#, a line for the item and price, line for subtotal, line for sales tax, line for total, maybe a line for amount tendered and another for change. So a 2 item sale would be about 8 lines. So most registers when the EJ limit is reached the machine will start overwriting the oldest entries of the EJ. Some machines can be prompted to warn the cashier and prompt if the EJ should be printed, some machines have an option of stopping the cashier and forcing the cashier to print the EJ.

I recommend taking your Z every end of day and if the Z is good ignore your EJ and let it overwrite! But think about it before you start using your register. With some registers once you allocate that memory you may not be able to alter it without making changes you may not want to make in the rest of you program.

No one think I can tell you for sure is no one can tell you how long an EJ will last etc cause it all depends on the amount of items, number of sales etc! Every business is different. Your SAM4s Cash Register Expert can help you more

SAM4s SPS-2000 POS System

SAM4s SPS-2000 Cash Register

Many people think the SAM4s SPS-2000 is a cash register and they often call me and ask what software they can load on it or rather what software DO THEY HAVE TO LOAD. The answer is NONE! The SPS-2000 is self contained and is not a computer. It is a ROM based cash register with a large touch screen and modular componets like cash drawer, printer, etc.

ROM based systems tend to last longer then computers because there are no moving parts, no operating system, can't get a virus etc etc.

Check it out and I'll bet you like it. Three great places to buy this register

1. SAM4s SPS-2000 Dealer
2. Reseller for the SPS-2000
3. SPS-2000 Cash Registers Online

SAM4s Cash Registers and the Cancel Key



SAM4s Cash Registers

Almost all SAM4s Cash Registers have a feature called Cancel which can be a very handy function. It wipes out a transaction before payment like it never happened with the push of one button. No of course you sure want to watch employees use of this feature to ensure ity is not being abused. Liek always look at your Z tapes to monitor use of this feature. This feature only works pre payment in the case of post payment you will still need the void mode or return function.

The cancel key can bu turned off, placed in Manager Control, or removed from the keyboard on most machines.

What is the differance between the SAM4s ER-5240M and the SAM4s ER-5215M



SAM4s ER-5240M

 The 5240M and the 5215M are nearly the same machine. The big differance is in the number of maximum groups each register can have. The model number says it all. The SAM4 ER5215M can have 15 groups but comes out of the box with only 5 while the SAM 4 ER- 5240M (pictured) can have 40 groups abd comes out of the box with 15 double size group keys.

Both registers support credit card interface with a Datacap Twin Tran, both support bar code scanning, and both have polling and programming software available both free and for fee!

These two cash registers use the same thermal printer and feature both a receipt and journal tape of 2.25" thermal paper.

Both models are heavy duty and commercial grade. Metal cash drawer with a hard plastic insert that is very long lasting. Both program and report alike and I think you could use either manual with either machine.

Supplies for the SAM4s ER-5200M

The SAM4s ER5200M uses thermal paper rolls in both the receipt and journal printers. Even if you don't issue a receipt you should have the paper installed and you wuill be able to use the receipt copy feature in case a customer does ask for one. I think it is law in most states that a customer must be given a receipt of some type if they request one.

Bond paper rolls WILL NOT work in the SAM 4s ER-5200M. This register also does not need an ink ribbon as it uses thermal paper. This machine also will use the large roll of paper, don't wast time with the 80' or 150' foot rolls, get a 200' to 230' foot roll.

Click here for supplies for the ER5200M like the paper and keyboard covers or click here for another source of supplies and service for the SAM4s ER-5200M

The SAM4s ER-180 and 180T are they the same?

At first glance you would think the ER-180 and the ER-180T are the same with the exception that the 180T has a thermal printer. We though so for sure but while looking closer we saw several more important differances.

Here are the differances

Feature                          180                           180T
Departments                  Same                         Same
PLU's                            100                           500
Clerks                           4 Max                       10 Max
Receipt Messages     NO                           Programmable
EJ                                 NO                           2500 lines

So no they are not the same other then the printer. Granted most people buying little machines like this will most likely never use the features but it does surprise me! Maybe it is a typo on the printed material from SAM4s? 

SAM4s Cash Registers and DVR Text Interfaces

SAM4s Cash Registers

We get this question all the time, can my DVR interface to my SAM4s cash register? The simple answer is maybe! Here is the problem there are hundreds of DVR systems on the market today. I can only speak for one of the hundred plus systems and that is the Talon DVR system for which the answer is YES for most models. The other part of the question I can answer is that all most all SAM4s Cash Registers can interface to DVR systems however keep in mind I did not say all DVR systems or your DVR system! YES the SAM4s can export the required information via a serial port now the question is can my DVR system use it?

So now that you know almost every SAM4s can get the data out it is up to your DVR company to tell you not the cash register dealer. We have people call every week and we try to explain this and they ask us to come out and connect their cash register to their Brand X DVR system. Most cash register dealers like us can not do this and that is a question for your DVR people not us. The SAM4s registers that I know can export teh data needed are.

• ER-650
• ER-650R
• ER-5215M
• ER-5240M
• ER-5240M
• ER5200M
• SPS-520R
• SPS-520F
• SPS-530R
• SPS-530F
• SER-7000
• SER-7040
• SPS-2000

You will have to have an available serial port on your register in order to connect it to a DVR system.

So before you buy your DVR system ask them is your SAM4s register on their list of approved registers? If not don't call a register dealer they won't know! If your DVR dealer can't tell you then find another DVR dealer. I have worked with many that have a list of registers by model number that they work with and the required cable and the setting! Those are the DVR dealers you want to work with!

Hope that helps and remember to do your homework before you buy!

What Happened to Samsung Cash Registers

We do not get this question as often as we used to but a few people still remember and or use Samsung Cash Registers. So here is the story as related to me. Samsung marketed cash registers all over the world for years. Samsung never made the cash registers they sold however few people knew that or probably cared. Sometime ago for what ever reason Samsung decided to get out of the Cash Register Business. The company that had always made the Samsung Cash Registers I guess was given the option of purchasing the rights or maybe they did not have to buy anything not sure but anyhow they started marketing the Cash Registers they always made for Samsung on their own and came up with the name SAM4s. Yes the name SAM4s has a meaning however I have forgotten it but I blogged about it several years ago and a person from SAM4s commented and educated me on the meaning. I know it is like Strong, Silent, etc etc It was nice and strong sounding sorry I can't remember.

This was a great move because SAM4s has taken the line and made it GREAT. I think SAM4s is running away from the pack and setting new standards for Cash Registers in Functions, Features, Options and pricing. The only distributor for SAM4s Cash Registers is CRS who also opertates a small retail dealers ship as well.

Even though SAM4s is really running over everyone else in the industry I hope some competition remains and stages a come back. As great as SAM4s has been I think history has proved nothing good comes out of a monoply of the market!

Keyboard Covers for SAM4s Cash Registers

There are three sites I know of that sell the silicone or plastic keyboard cover for SAM4s Cash Registers. Keeping a cover on your machine can protect it and prolong the life of your machine. Some machines require a cover such as the restaurant style machines with flat micro motion keyboards. Most keyboard covers seem top range in price from around $20.00 to upwards of $40.00 or so. Here are the top sites on the internet for Keyboard Covers

• SAM4s Cash Register Keyboard Covers
• Keyboard Covers for SAM4s Cash Registers
• Plastic Keyboard Covers for Cash Registers

Don't wait until you can no longer see through your cover or worse you are using the machine without one and someone spills a soda of coffee right on you machine! We see it everyday where a low cost keyboard cover would have saved you the cost of a replacment machine. It is almost not if you will spill something on your register more like when and how much!

Changing Sales Tax on a SAM4s Cash Register

Well it is that time of year again when the sales taxes across the country are often raised! Here are a couple good SELF HELP resources for SAM4s Cash Registers. These sites have some manuals posted and even some tips on programming sales tax

• Programming SAM4s Cash Registers
• SAM4s Manuals and Programming Help
• Help with SAM4s Cash Registers

These sites offer some free items as well as they might be able to help over the phone for a fee. (don't expect them to help you for free unless maybe you bought your cash register from them and even then it may not be free)

Credit Card Interface with SAM4s Cash Registers

Cash Register to Credit Card Interface with Datacap

Datacap makes devices that connect your cash register to your credit card processor and takes the old manual entry credit card machine out of the loop. When you intergrate your cash register directly to credit card processing you will be able to speed up transactions, greatly reduce errors, reduce fraud and make you more money. Here are a couple places that have the Datcap devices. The first one offer the Datacap Twin Tran with SAM4s and Sharp cash registers and the second one also offers Datacap Modems that interface with credit card sand gift cards

Where should I buy my SAM4s Cash Register From

Try and buy your SAM4s Cash Register from Factory dealer not just a mass merchandiser that sells all kind of items on the web. Below we have listed two good discount dealers on the net that work only in cash registers and offer support if needed. Sometimes you may have to pay for that support but it is available. If you buy from some ACME internet reseller they may not know a cash register from an iPod! Call first and question them. Do they know anything about the cash registers? Is their main business selling cash registers or ink jet printers? Do they provide support?

Here are two great places to buy:

• Discount SAM4s Cash Registers
• Wholesale SAM4s Cash Registers

These resellers offer all the SAM4s registers and support each one of them as well as repair and offer supplies. These resellers can also offer Value added items like Cash Register Credit Card interface, Kitchen Printers, Kitchen Video Systems and other options.

Free Programming tool with select SAM4s Cash Registers

Now some select SAM4s Cash Register models include a FREE Programming Software Tool. With this free software users can edit and or create the program and store the the cash register program. A cable will still be needed which you can buy (or make your own) to interface the cash register into the computer.

The following models come with the free software:

• SAM4s ER-650 Cash Register
• SAM4s ER-650R Cash Register
• SAM4s ER-5215M Cash Register
• SAM4s ER-5240M Cash Register
• SAM4s ER-5200M Cash Register

reports can not be taken with the free software. Support is available for the software on a pay as needed basis.

SPS 520R and SPS 530R Features


We often get asked what the limits of the SPS 520R or SPS 530R. Keep in mind that to max out UPC’s or PLU’s you have to have the max optional memory. With the max memory we still could not tell you how many UPC’s or Guest Checks you could have because the memory is shared much like a computer. A computer’s hard drive is sized by GB not how many items it can hold this cash register (like most) is the same. However with the maximum memory installed this machine can have a lot of UPC’s andPLUS and guest checks.

With maximum memory installed you can have up to:

Remember it is shared so it does not mean you can have the max of each but rather what the max is of each if enough memory!

• Up to 60,000 PLUs*
• Up to 999 Clerks*
• Up to 99 Groups*
• Up to 9,999 PLU Status Groups*
• Up to 200 Key Link Menu Screens*
• Up to 32 Registers per Network*
• Up to 4 Hard/Soft Check Files*

* With Optional Expanded Memory

Also please not that the memory and features for the SAM4s SPS-520R and 530R are exactly the same as the SAM4s SPS-530F and 520F registers. The only differance is the F models have flat keyboards not raised!