This configuration function, accessed through the Maintenance menu, is used to set up the options and hardware commands required to open an electronic cash drawer.
Most cash drawers are connected through the receipt printer, and are opened with a command to the same port or by printing a commands in a special font to the printer. Either of these methods is supported, as well as interfacing directly to a cash drawer without a receipt printer (provided the cash drawer has a serial or parallel interface). Selecting the method of commanding the cash drawer, assuming more than one method is available, can involve some experimentation to see which method operates it faster.
Generally the direct approach is best -- that is, command it directly to the hardware port. This will also be the fastest, especially if the cash drawer can be connected to a separate port without a receipt printer involved. On the other hand, if the cash drawer is connected through a receipt printer, there can be a significant delay even if it has a direct-to-port (pass-through) command option, depending on the version of Windows used and how the print spooler handles it. Of course if the receipt printer is connected to a different computer on the network and you're using print-sharing in access the printer, then the only option is to command it through the printer.
Each setting is detailed below.
Networking note: These settings are separate for each workstation, and are specifically not synchronized when a Network Functions / Synchronize local options is performed.
Cash drawer is present -- Obviously this should be checked if you want the software to command the drawer. The function to Open Cash Drawer will only appear on the dialogs if this is checked, and it will only open automatically when printing a receipt if this is checked.
Show an "Opening Cash Drawer" message while opening drawer -- Check this option if none of the command options open the drawer immediately. This simply serves as an indication that it did send the command, so you don't have to wonder while you wait.
Send command through the 3" receipt printer driver -- Select this to send the command as if text is to be printed in a special font. For instance, Epson printers can be commanded to open the drawer if an 'A' character is sent in the "control" font. Note that this always sends it to the printer designated for the 3" receipt printer (under File / Printer Setup), even if you're printing a receipt to a different printer.
Send command directly to the hardware port -- Select this to send the command directly to the port. This can be used even if the drawer is attached to a receipt printer, assuming the printer has a special pass-through command to open the drawer. Several examples are listed at the bottom of the dialog.
Baud, Parity, Data bits, Stop bits -- These only apply if commanding through the port and if it's a serial port (com1 through com4). Enter the appropriate values according to your cash drawer or receipt printer manual.
When printing a receipt.... -- This selection simply determines when (and if) you want the command to be sent automatically when a receipt is printed. Usually you want it to be sent before the receipt text is printed, so the drawer opens immediately. However this can be changed as needed (it may even be necessary to send it after the text for it to work properly with your printer). Note that it doesn't matter which receipt format you're printing -- even if you print a full-page receipt to a laser printer, the cash drawer command will be sent separately to open the drawer, even if it's connected through a receipt printer.
Characters to send -- This is the most critical part of course. Refer to your printer or cash drawer manual if your printer isn't one of the examples listed on the dialog. The command string must be entered as a string of decimal numbers separated by commas. (Plain text entry is not possible because most command codes use non-printable characters.)
Test -- After everything is set up the way you think it should work, click the Test button to send the specified commands. If it works, you're done. If not, you have more experimenting to do.