Migrating POS Transactions onto an Existing IP LAN
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 The Challenge
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Chapters, Canada's largest bookseller, had an existing IP network across all of its stores, which was being used for its e-commerce website, inventory control, and other functions. Its financial payment terminals were unable to operate over their internal IP network, instead operating over a parallel legacy Datapac™ 3201 network. The costs of this network have been increasing 10-15% per year and its management capabilities were very limited.. Chapter's objective was to migrate from this legacy network onto their existing IP network to eliminate the Datapac™ 3201 costs, all within 6 months. It was important to Chapters that their existing payment terminals be integrated into any new solution.
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BEFORE
With an IP network already operating within their stores, Chapters needed a solution, which would allow them to make better use of this network for processing transactions, while eliminating their legacy telecommunications costs.
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Within Chapters existing environment, payment terminals were connected to a serial network running to a controller (CD45 master). This controller was then connected to an external modem that linked to the Datapac™ 3201 network and went on to the bank for transaction processing.
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Precidia's Solution |
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Precidia offered the Ether3201 POS access device to Chapters, which connects existing payment terminals to an IP network via Ethernet. The solution met Chapters main objectives of no changes to its store environment and an aggressive deployment schedule, which would see all stores implemented in under 6 months.
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AFTER
The Precidia Ether3201-232 replaced the external modem and accepted RS232 serial input from the controller. This data stream was stripped of its header information and placed within an IP packet. The IP transaction was then sent in an appropriate banking format to Chapters' in store router, which routed the transactions to the bank router. It then converted the transaction back to x.25 so the legacy host could interpret the transactions. If the bank required an IP transaction the router would forward on the existing IP packet.
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Installation was simple and quick, with most of the installs carried about by Chapters staff. With the devices preconfigured by Precidia, installation was carried out in under 30 minutes, with only seconds required for the cutover.
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Chapters disconnected their DatapacÔ 3201 lines two weeks after installation was complete with all stores going live prior to the busy Christmas season. The devices performed flawlessly during the busy holiday season. Today, the installation continues to be a success, with no Precidia related service calls to date. In fact service has been improved by Chapters' ability to access real-time information from all their terminals using only a browser. Chapters will next be implementing SNMP capabilities to have alarms automatically created for certain situation and remote downloading of software via TFTP.
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Benefits |
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Chapters has realized several key benefits by implementing Precidia's Ether3201:
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- Cost Savings
Chapters was able to eliminate their monthly telecommunications costs for their entire transaction processing network and generate a payback in only six months.
- Seamless Integration with Existing Environment
No changes in process, training or equipment were required within the Chapters stores when migrating their financial transactions to an IP network.
- Reduced Downtime
The Precidia solution required almost no downtime for installation, and in regular operation, will reduce costly downtime for the retailer. Since its installation in October 2000, there has been no downtime related to Precidia products.
- Value-Added Transaction Management Features
Precidia's Ether3201 is designed to significantly augment the capabilities of existing POS equipment. With the Ether3201, Chapters gained access to device statistics and transaction logs from anywhere on the LAN via a web browser or Telnet, helping them make better decisions about their payment terminals.
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Conclusion |
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| Contact Precidia |
150 Katimavik Road
Suite 1000
Ottawa, Ontario
K2L 2N2, Canada
Tel: 613.592.7557
Fax: 613.482.5770 |
info@precidia.com  |
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