The Retail Express Hardware Utility connects supported receipt printers and integrated EFTPOS terminals to the Retail Express POS system. The utility must be installed on each Windows computer that uses this hardware.
In this video we walk you through using the Retail Express Hardware Utility to install your Receipt Printer or Integrated EFTPOS.
For detailed information see the Receipt Printer and Integrated EFTPOS guide.
Chapters
Timestamp | Chapter |
|---|
00:01 | Overview |
00:12 | Understanding the Hardware Utility |
00:30 | Checking the Receipt Printer in Windows |
01:19 | Downloading the Hardware Utility |
01:35 | Entering the Client and Store Details |
02:07 | Naming the Computer |
02:35 | Detecting the Receipt Printer |
03:39 | Configuring Integrated EFTPOS |
03:56 | Assigning the Retail Express Register |
04:22 | Completing and Testing the Installation |
04:45 | Installing the Utility on Other Computers |
05:07 | Getting Support |
Transcript
The Retail Express Hardware Utility is required for supported receipt printers and integrated EFTPOS terminals to communicate with Retail Express POS. Before installing the utility, confirm that the receipt printer is already installed and working on the Windows computer.
Understanding the Hardware Utility
The Hardware Utility enables receipt printers and supported integrated EFTPOS terminals to function with Retail Express POS.
Complete this process before your planned go-live date. This provides time to test the hardware configuration and resolve any problems before the equipment is needed for live transactions.
Checking the Receipt Printer in Windows
Before beginning, confirm that the receipt printer is already installed and working on the Windows computer.
Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
Locate the receipt printer in the list of installed devices. Right-click the printer and select Printer Properties, then select Print Test Page.
When the test page prints successfully, the printer is ready to be configured through the Retail Express Hardware Utility.
Do not continue when:
- The printer does not appear in Devices and Printers.
- The printer cannot produce a Windows test page.
- The printer is not correctly connected to the computer.
Refer to the printer manufacturer’s installation instructions or contact an IT technician before proceeding. The Hardware Utility cannot configure a printer that is not already working in Windows.
Downloading the Hardware Utility
Log in to Retail Express Back Office.
From the upper-right corner, select: Help > Download Hardware Utility
Save or open the downloaded installation file.
Run the file to start the Hardware Utility installation, then select Next.
Entering the Client Credentials
The utility prompts you to enter:
- Retail Express Client ID
- Username
- Password
To locate the Client ID in Retail Express, select: Help > What’s My Client ID?
Enter the Client ID and your Retail Express login credentials, then continue to the next screen.
Selecting the Store Location
Select the store location where the computer and hardware are being configured.
For example, when installing the hardware at the Chapel Street store, select Chapel Street from the available store locations.
Select Next to continue.
Naming the Computer
Enter a hardware-friendly name for the computer.
This is a recognisable nickname that helps identify the computer within the hardware configuration. Examples might include:
- Front Counter
- Store name
- POS
- POS1
Enter the required name and select Next.
The following screen normally contains settings that do not need to be changed. When a value is already displayed, select Next to continue.
Confirming the Printer Connection
The utility prompts you to confirm that the printer is plugged in.
Because the printer was tested before starting the installation, it should already be connected and powered on.
Select Next.
The utility scans the computer and detects the printers currently installed and configured in Windows.
Detecting the Receipt Printer
The utility uses test printing to determine which detected printer is the receipt printer.
Select the blue test button. The utility sends a test print to the first detected printer.
When nothing prints or the test is sent to the wrong printer, select Nothing Printed, Try Next Port.
The utility continues testing the available printers as a process of elimination.
When the test is printed by the correct receipt printer, select the green confirmation button indicating that the test printed to the correct printer.
The utility then continues to the next configuration screen.
Configuring Integrated EFTPOS
The next screen is used to configure a supported integrated EFTPOS terminal.
The video identifies configuration options for:
Refer to the relevant documentation for the EFTPOS integration being installed.
When an integrated EFTPOS terminal is not being configured, select None and continue.
Assigning the Retail Express Register
Select the Retail Express register that will use the configured hardware.
When Back Office is the only available option, select its checkbox.
When additional registers have already been configured, select the register that will use the receipt printer or integrated EFTPOS terminal.
Select Next.
The utility saves the hardware configuration.
Completing and Testing the Installation
After the configuration is saved, select Finish.
Return to POS and log out, then log back in. This refresh is required for POS to recognise the newly configured printer.
After logging back in, perform a test print from POS to confirm that the printer is working correctly.
Installing the Utility on Other Computers
The Hardware Utility must be installed separately on every computer that uses a receipt printer or integrated EFTPOS terminal.
Repeat the installation for:
- Other POS computers at the same location.
- Computers at other store locations.
- Any computer that directly uses supported receipt printing or integrated EFTPOS hardware.
The utility is not required on computers that only print to a standard A4 printer and do not use a thermal receipt printer or integrated EFTPOS terminal.