Going Live on the system:

It is your responsiblity to check that the system is fully ready to run BEFORE taking it live.
Learn the system, test it well, ask questions!

The most important consideration on any scanning system is that the prices and descriptions of all items are entered and correct. Shelf labels should match prices at the POS.

Inventory tracking considerations are secondary to the accuracy of the scanning file with retail pricing.

• DO NOT start entering Invoices as received before you go live, the system is designed to catch up to your outstanding received items as you enter them.
• If a new store is just opening with newly received stock, then we consider everything to be starting at zero. Entering in invoices will update your stock levels and item costs.
• In a store that has already been in business prior to installing this system and existing stock levels are immediately important, take an on hand count of the store before going live and enter it into the Back Office 'Stock Sheet 'system.
• If time does not allow that, then stock levels can be groomed into place slowly on a section by section basis.
• Hang on to the paperwork and catch up when you are familiar with the software and all of its relevant functions.

Central Database Lane Setup

When your Vendors, Customers, Inventory and Setup files are complete, if the LAnes are running off a shared, Central Database, then, as long as the Lanes are pointed to the correct server, they will just start up and configure themselves.

Remote Lane Setup

If any remote lanes are part of the configuration, run the option to ‘Send ALL Information’ from the POS Lanes - Send Changes option.

• This will place the files required on the Back Office server ready for the Lane to Pick up.

• On each Lane, click on the Start Lane program's central 'Globe' Icon
• Then click Update Lane, and allow the process to complete.
• The Report/Configuration Remote server must be online and tested before this step will work. Consult the BAck Office Manual for more information on setting up the Remote Back Office Server.

• The Clean Data option will delete all unposted information on the Remote Lane prior to update.
• If Sales history is required on the lane for any reason, do not use this option. (Sales History will always be available in the Back Office)

You are now ready to start testing the lanes.

At this point you should hold a ‘Scanning Party’ in the store to make sure all items on the Store shelves are scanning on the Lanes. This will also test the Lane functionality and acquaint your sales staff with the Lane operations.

This is a very necessary step and will eliminate uncalled for checkout delays when you go live.

• Setup a Training cashier in the Back Office and use that cashier to Log In on the Lanes while Training or Testing.
• Training Cashiers have the 'Training Mode' Check box checked ON in the Cashier Maintenance options.
• Any Sales made in Training Mode are automatically voided when closed, as well as being flagged as Training Sales.

Go through all the lane functions before going live to make sure you understand how they work.

• The lanes are designed for simple, fast operation.
• See the next section for more details on Lane Operations.
• We do not recommend you go live before your file is built and verified unless you understand the ramifications of doing so.

Before you go Live,

• Back up your data. See the Back Office manual/Data Utilities section.
• Copy your backup to a USB stick, DVD, tape, CD or any other external media. Now is not a good time to loose your work!

Opening Stock Counts

If you are opening a new store then all of your opening counts should be set to zero.

If you are opening the store in a hurry and don't have time to do Stock Counts - Don't worry, you can catch up with your stock levels at any time.

If you do have time however,

The opening Stock Count is available for any item by reviewing the figure in the Back Office Inventory - Item Maintenance - Edit Item - History Tab option.

If you are using the software in an existing store then your opening stock count
at the time of going live with this sytem should be entered on to a Stock Sheet.
(Inventory - Stock Sheets on the Back Office menu) See the Back Office manual for more details on Stock Sheets.

When all items in the store have been counted, before you open the doors to start selling stuff...

• Each Item should have an entry on the Stock Sheet with its count
• You should have reviewed the reports and verified the total count figure is correct.

Then in the Stock Sheets - Inventory Functions Tab, select the options as shown below and click 'Apply Selected'

The opening stock position of your store is now updated and you can begin to sell items from stock.

• The Stock Sheet will be closed and it will be available as your opening sheet in a Period Report. (Back Office - Inventory -Period Activity Report.)