Application Development Kit (ADK) for printing POS compatible printers.
Point of Sale applications (POS) are normally off the shelf systems custom developed for addressing specific printing requirement at shops, malls bills etc. However, these POS systems work only with the certain POS applications given by the manufacturer. A general POS application was developed to make POS devices can work together. Calsoft Labs has developed an Application Development Kit (ADK) for printing POS compatible printers from POS applications.
The objective of this solution was to build a standard interface that can be embedded into any POS application, thus facilitating usage of any POS peripheral devices as plug and play.
Scope
The scope of this project was to develop and implement an OPOS driver for our customer’s printer in conformance with UnifiedPOS Retail Peripheral Architecture. The UniPos is an international standard that is aimed at providing a common device architecture that extends across vendors, retail formats and platforms.
Technology
Calsoft Labs has provided the solution by developing a tool to install the ADK and a software development environment (Object Console) for detecting errors and bugs during development. The solution is based on Microsoft’s Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) technology. This technology enables software and software resources to be reused. Using this OLE technology an OLE POS was built, thus making our solution to be in conformance with UniPOS.
Architecture
The architecture of the POS ADK is shown below
Advantages of OPOS
- One service object is developed that fits all the POS systems.
- Better integration of different POS systems and better user interface.
- The conformance to the OPOS enables the entire POS systems to be customized.
- It integrates the display systems and print delivery systems.
Conclusion
UniPOS is widely accepted industry standard for POS devices. Calsoft Labs has developed and delivered, completely tested ADK, in 12 weeks time. Calsoft Labs has expertise not only for printers but for other POS devices like MICR, Cash Drawers etc