Polling and Communications

This section provides information on the different polling and communications options for Active Workstation HQ and QSR.

AWS HQ and QSR both poll and communicate with each other and the POS system.  This is done using Kermit 95 for Windows or Windows Dial-up networking depending on the configuration.  Kermit 95 for Windows software is included with Active Workstation.  Dialup networking is part of Windows.

The different configurations are detailed below:

• HQ to POS 'Poll' or 'Pull' Configuration
• HQ to QSR 'Poll' or 'Pull' Configuration
• QSR to HQ 'Push' Configuration via Kermit
• QSR to HQ 'Push' Configuration via VPN using Internet
• Polling, processing, report generation and report distribution flowchart

HQ to POS 'Poll' or 'Pull' Configuration

In this configuration, HQ supports polling and processing of data from Mark 8, PS600 and Mark IV POS systems.  AWS QSR is not involved or installed at a customer site.   This is known as a 'poll' or 'pull' configuration.

HQ to QSR 'Poll' or 'Pull' Configuration

In this configuration, HQ polls the PC running QSR in the store rather than the POS system directly.  QSR is used to initiate the DSR (from the PC) after which the SDF file is retrieved and processed on QSR.  There is option to automatically launch Kermit host mode on QSR.   Only Mark 8 is supported by QSR and it is configured for non-24 hour operation.

QSR to HQ 'Push' Configuration via Kermit

In this configuration, Active Workstation QSR is used to push the SDF file to HQ via Kermit communications; that is, the call is initiated by QSR, not HQ.  In this case, the POS system is configured for 24 hour operation (whether it is a 24 hour operation or not).  The closing manager performs an End of Day from QSR's End of Day checklist.  Reports are gathered and the system is then asleep, or is initialized again if the store is a 24 hour operation.  The opening manager the following morning then may complete the business day paperwork, after which they run the DSR from QSR's DSR Checklist.  After the DSR is complete, QSR automatically polls the SDF from the Mark 8.  Then the store manager has an opportunity to check and complete final paperwork for the prior business day before 'Pushing' the SDF file to HQ.

QSR to HQ 'Push' Configuration via VPN using Internet

In this configuration (current in test and not released as of 6/14/99), Active Workstation QSR is used to push the file to HQ using a virtual private network (VPN) connection via the internet.  This requires an internet service provider which supports VPN and appropriate router hardware installed at the customers office. 

The POS system is configured for 24 hour operation (whether it is a 24 hour operation or not).  The closing manager performs an End of Day from QSR's End of Day checklist.  Reports are gathered and the system is then asleep, or is initialized again if the store is a 24 hour operation.  The opening manager the following morning then may complete the business day paperwork, after which they run the DSR from QSR's DSR Checklist.  After the DSR is complete, QSR automatically polls the SDF from the Mark 8.  Then the store manager has an opportunity to check and complete final paperwork for the prior business day before 'Pushing' the SDF file to HQ.