How to configure multiple cash drawers for Food Service module
It is possible to allow two operators to use a single station with two cash drawers connected and grant access to each specific cash drawer depending on the operator’s log-in. This might be useful in situation like a bar where two bartenders were working using one station, but you did not want them to work out of the same cash drawer. This functionality is described below. Role-based security is in place to control the ability to assign cash drawers to operators (“Associate Ops with Drawers” setting).
To configure multiple cash drawers for Food Service module:
1. Review your hardware and associated configuration. Depending on what sort of PCs, printers and cash drawers you have, you may need a specific cable and splitter to enable both drawers to work on one salespoint.
2. Configure the ports.INI file on the salespoint appropriately for two drawers. This depends largely on your specific setup as well (characters needed to open the drawers, printers used, etc.).
Example:
[Primary]
PopThruPrinter=TRUE
PrinterName=CASHDRAWER
PopThruPort=FALSE
Comm=0
BaudRate=9600
Parity=N
DataBits=8
StopBits=1
SendChars=TRUE
Char1=0028
Char2=000
Char3=000
Char4=000
Char5=000
[Secondary]
PopThruPrinter=TRUE
PrinterName=CASHDRAWER
PopThruPort=FALSE
Comm=0
BaudRate=9600
Parity=N
DataBits=8
StopBits=1
SendChars=TRUE
Char1=025
Char2=000
Char3=000
Char4=000
Char5=000
3. Once you have the ports.INI file configured appropriately for your set-up, you need to test both drawers from Sales to ensure they open. You are prompted to select a specific drawer when you press the Drawer button; make sure both work.
4. Once both drawers are working, you can then assign given operators to use specific drawers in Tools > Sales Pt Setup > Cashdrawers. In this screen, you specify which operators can open which drawer. For example, let’s say you have operators Bart and Lisa and I want Bart to use the Primary drawer and Lisa to use the Secondary drawer. In the Cashdrawers window, make sure that Primary is selected, and then click on Bart. Then, click the Secondary button and choose Lisa.
5. At this point, if Bart is logged in, only the Primary drawer opens. If Lisa is logged in, only the Secondary drawer opens.
Note: If you had only followed the steps above with Bart and Lisa, then any other operator that was in the system would not be able to open either drawer. Furthermore, it is possible to allow an operator to open either drawer by selecting them in both the Primary and Secondary sections of the Cashdrawers window (good for administrator operator log-ins).