Serial communication products are defined by their ability to transmit data sequentially, or piece-by-piece, over a single wire. There are several useful business applications for serial communication products, particularly in a retail environment.

A point of sale (POS) terminal, one type of serial communication device, is a computerized replacement for a cash register. Usually, a POS system can record and track customer orders, process credit and debit cards, connect to other systems in a network and manage inventory. There are some great serial communication products available to enhance your sales terminals:

1. Invest in a serial barcode scanner, a great serial communication product that can help customize your inventory process.

2. Complete your point of sale station with a serial receipt printer.

3. Reduce sales associate errors by adding a serial touch screen, a vital serial communication product, to your POS station.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase a barcode scanning serial communication product for your business

A serial barcode scanner is more complex than a keyboard wedge barcode scanner, but is also much more versatile. Keyboard wedge barcode scanners, which lack editing functionality, plug directly into the keyboard port on the back of your computer and input directly into the field in which your cursor is placed. A serial barcode scanner, which plugs into an empty serial port and requires special software, allows you to alter, edit or re-order scanned barcode data before it's displayed.

I recommend: Barcodes, Inc. call themselves "The Barcodes Experts" for good reason. They have serial barcode scanners priced anywhere from under $150 to just under $3000, guaranteeing they can meet your business needs. Barcode Discount is also a great source for serial barcode scanners at reasonable prices.

Pair your scanner with another vital serial communication product: a receipt printer

Almost every point of sale terminal needs a receipt printer. For best results, look for serial receipt printers with features like drop-in paper loading, color printing capabilities and fast, quiet printing. Compare prices and pick the best one for your retail business.

I recommend: Barcode Giant has serial receipt printers priced from over $100 to over $1000. CDW also has a great selection of serial printers from respected manufacturers like Epson and Citizen.

Shrink employee learning curves with a touch screen serial communication product

Touch screen technology on point of sale terminals is a valuable and cost effective tool that reduces transaction and training time as well as operator errors. The cost of serial touch screen monitors is no longer prohibitive, which allows you, as a retailer, to take advantage of this great technology.

I recommend: You can purchase serial touch screens in any price bracket from Newegg. Infinite Corporate Solutions stocks a wide variety of touchscreens from Elo, the gold standard in touchscreens.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Beware of POS vendors trying to sell you a huge software and hardware package up front. First, buy the base system, and then expand as needed. Picking the right serial communication equipment to enhance your POS terminal is only one piece of the puzzle. Make sure to purchase the POS software that supports your business type. A retail store's POS system will be set up differently than, say, a hotel's.