Retailer Outpost Mode - Single Store

Retailer Outpost Mode - Single Store

Outpost mode is a function of Retailer that allows a computer to act as a standalone Point Of Sale terminal, separate from the main shop. For example, it can be used at an external kiosk/trade show/carpark sale where a permanent connection to the server/main computer is not available.

Due to outpost computers not being on the network, functions such as Ezipass Touch/epay and integrated Tyro/PC-EFTPOS may not work.

Staff initials need to be set up. Click HERE to learn more about setting up staff initials.
The sections below cover setting up Outpost Mode, using Outpost Mode and Exporting from Outpost Mode. If Outpost Mode is already setup, you may not need to refer to all sections

A. Install/Update Retailer

Retailer must be installed on the Outpost PC. If Outpost Mode has previously been setup, make sure the same version of Retailer is installed on the Outpost PC as the Main/Server PC.
  1. Make sure the Outpost PC is on the same Private network as the Main/Server PC. See New PC - Windows Configuration
  2. Download and Install Retailer. See Installing Retailer Updates

B. Export Data from Server to Outpost

Exporting outpost data from the server/main is required before enabling an outpost computer. It is also a task that should be done regularly, if not daily, to update the data on a computer that is currently running in Outpost Mode. The outpost data is exported onto a USB drive, which can then be uploaded to the outpost computer.
  1. Close Retailer on ALL computers.
  2. On the server/main computer, plug in a USB drive. Take note of the Drive Letter
  3. Open RetailerV3 Backup. Click on Utilities -> Outpost. Click on Create Outpost Data. Enter your staff initials.
  4. In the Select Directory window, under Drives, select the Drive Letter of the USB drive. Click OK.
  5. The outpost data will begin exporting.
  6. You will see a message that a zip file has been created. Click OK.
Once the data is exported it can then be used on the Outpost computer.

C. Enable Outpost Mode

Outpost Mode needs to be enabled on the Outpost computer. Skip this section if Outpost Mode is already Enabled.
  1. Ensure that the outpost computer is still on the network and connected to the server/main.
  2. On the outpost computer, plug in the USB drive. Take note of the drive letter.
  3. Open RetailerV3 Backup.
  4. Click on Utilities -> Outpost.
  5. Click on Turn On Outpost. Read the warning message and click Yes. Enter your staff initials.
  6. On the left hand side of the Select Zip File window, click the USB Drive.
  7. Select the drive letter from the drop-down box at the top of the window.
  8. Click on the OP_SERVER file. Click Open
  9. The outpost data will begin importing. When the process is finished, click OK.

D. Updating Outpost Data

The Data on the Outpost PC should be updated regularly, preferably daily.

1.       Complete Section B on Main/Server PC.

2.       Close Retailer on the outpost computer.

3.       Plug in a USB drive. When the AutoPlay screen appears, take note of the drive letter.

4.       Open RetailerV3 Backup. Click on Utilities -> Outpost. Click on Import Outpost Data. Read the warning message and click OK. Enter your staff initials.

5.       On the left hand side of the Select Zip File window, click the USB Drive.

6.       Click on the OP_SERVER file. Click Open

The outpost data will begin importing. When the process is finished, click OK.


E. Starting Outpost Mode

Once Outpost Mode has been enabled, the computer will be able to process sales and have access to all stock items as if it was still on the network. However, functions such as Ezipass Touch/epay and integrated Tyro/PC-EFTPOS may not work as they require a network/Internet connection.

Prior to trading using the outpost computer, you should upload the latest copy of the outpost data. Refer to Section D. Updating Outpost Data above

  1. When you start Retailer, a warning screen will appear.
  2. If the time is correct, click Yes. If not, click No and adjust your computer time before proceeding.
  3. You can then continue operating Retailer as normal.

F. End of Trading Procedures

The end of day procedures for an outpost computer are similar to computers within the store except that it involves several extra steps.

  1. Perform the End of Shift process on the outpost computer as normal.
  2. Plug in a USB drive. When the Autoplay screen appears, take note of the drive letter.
  3. Close Retailer.
  4. Click Yes when asked to export outpost sales.
  5. Type in your staff initials and click OK.
  6. In the Select Directory window:
  7. Select the drive letter of the USB drive in the bottom-right drop-down box.
  8. Click OK.
  9. The outpost data will begin exporting.
  10. You will see a message that a zip file has been created. Click OK.

The outpost data is now exported onto the USB drive and will need to be imported into the server/main computer.

 

G. Export Data from Outpost to Server

Retailer automatically prompts to export outpost data when you close Retailer, see Section F above. However, there may be times where you want to manually export the data. The steps below will explain how to do this:

  1. Plug in a USB drive into the outpost computer. When the AutoPlay screen appears, take note of the drive letter.
  2. On the desktop, double-click on RetailerV3 Backup.
  3. Click on Utilities -> Outpost.
  4. Click on Create Outpost Data.
  5. Type in your staff initials and click OK.
  6. In the Select Directory window:
  7. Select the drive letter of the USB drive in the bottom-right drop-down box.
  8. Click OK.
  9. The outpost data will begin exporting.
  10. You will see a message that a zip file has been created. Click OK.
Once the outpost data has been exported, it can then be imported into the main database on the server.
  1. Close Retailer on ALL computers.
  2. Plug in the USB drive with the outpost data into the server/main computer. When the AutoPlay screen appears, take note of the drive letter.
  3. Double-click on RetailerV3 Backup.
  4. Click on Utilities -> Outpost.
  5. Click on Import Outpost Data.
  6. Type in your staff initials and click OK.
  7. In the window that appears:
  8. Select the drive letter of the USB drive in the drop-down box at the top.
  9. Click on the OP_TERM file.
  10. Click OK.
  11. The outpost data will begin importing.
  12. When the process is finished, click OK.

H. Disable Outpost Mode

If you want the computer to return as a normal terminal within your store, you will need to disable Outpost Mode.

  1. Connect the outpost computer back to the network within your store.
  2. Close Retailer and open RetailerV3 Backup.
  3. Click on Utilities -> Outpost.
  4. Click on Turn Off Outpost.

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