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| CounterPoint Version 7 by Synchronics |
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Multi-Site |
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Multi-Site
Multi-Site capabilities are an integral part of CounterPoint, enabling a CounterPoint Hub and one or more CounterPoint Satellites to operate independently during the day, and synchronize nightly by efficiently exchanging information. CounterPoint configurations are available for Multi-Site Hubs, Remote Store Satellites, and P.O. On-the-Go laptop systems.
Polled Multi-Site processing is an alternative to WAN Operations (see WAN/Workgroup Option ). |
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Multi-Site Benefits
Multi-Site operation of multiple stores offers many benefits, including:
- Reliable, independent operations across multiple sites
- Cost-effective exchange of information across sites
- Multi-location data integrity
- Automatic, unattended, remote-site updating
- Data remains synchronized across multiple sites
- Audit log of all activity
- Audit log of any errors along with recommended corrective actions
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Unattended Nightly Processing
At each Satellite, as part of the normal end-of-day process, Multi-Site gathers and compresses the day's sales activities, purchasing/receiving activities, transactional activities, and any database changes into a Satellite transmission file. Nightly, the Hub polls each Satellite and retrieves its transmission file. (Alternatively, the satellites can call the Hub.)
At the Hub, Multi-Site consolidates the individual Satellite files and prepares a packet for transmission to the Satellites. This packet contains only the information that has changed, thus minimizing the amount of data that is transmitted. Packets include data changes due to activities such as sales, returns, receivings, and transfers, along with new inventory items, price revisions, new and changed customers, customer address changes, email messages, etc.
The Hub then polls and updates each Satellite. In the morning, every store is up-to-date with current information, and the Hub has complete and current accounting information for all stores. Logs documenting all overnight activities are created automatically at the Hub and the Satellites.
All of this is done unattended, overnight, with no operator intervention. CounterPoint provides batch and event controls to prevent duplicate and skipped transmissions. The Event History report presents the key events that take place in your Multi-Site system in a chronological order. The Operations Status report tells you whether your daily operations took place as expected, allowing simplified monitoring of historical activity. |
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Detecting Data Changes
Automatic change detection is built into virtually every data file. This means that CounterPoint can quickly and reliably identify every record that has changed and transmit only changed records during overnight processing. |
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Configuration
In a Multi-Site system, each site is an independent CounterPoint computer system, eliminating the need to rely on a dedicated communication link. The main location is a Hub configuration, with built-in support for some number of Satellites.
Capabilities are built into CounterPoint to simplify the implementation, monitoring, and maintenance of a multi-location system. Multi-Site utilities synchronize the Satellites with the Hub, and provide summarized or detailed reports of the contents of the transmission files and the overnight activity logs. |
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Operating Systems
Multi-Site works across multiple operating environments and allows the exchange of data between Windows and Unix/Linux systems. |
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Options
Most Options that are purchased for a Hub are automatically activated at the Satellites. Notable exceptions include the Credit Cards Option, SQL Connection Option, and Offline Ticket Entry Option. |
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Communications
Multi-Site includes BLAST software for high-speed, error-correcting communications. BLAST allows automatic polling, automatic retry (when telephone lines are not functioning properly), and extensive diagnostic features.
An asynchronous modem and dial-up telephone line are required. High-speed modems are recommended to minimize transmission times.
The Hub initiates polling to obtain information from the Satellites. For systems with many Satellites, or with mobile Satellites, polling may be Store-initiated. |
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Internet Polling
Polling may also be performed through the Internet. Internet polling is part of the standard overnight processing, following the existing conventions for Hub-initiated and Store-initiated communications.
Internet polling requires the purchase of Tactical Software's COM \ IP software to connect via IP address over the Internet and a reliable Internet Service Provider (either a direct or dial-up). |
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Affected Applications
Virtually all of the CounterPoint applications are involved in Multi-Site. When an item is added at one site, it is automatically added at all sites. When a customer's address is changed, that change is updated everywhere. All appropriate database changes are updated throughout the system.
CounterPoint Mail is transmitted to all sites. Point of Sale and Order Entry sales and orders are transmitted from the Satellites to the Hub. Purchase orders and transfers may be initiated at one site and completed at another site. Timecards information may be collected at the Satellites and forwarded to the Hub for consolidated reporting and processing. |
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Summary
Multi-Site is a field-proven solution for multi-location retailers and has been in use since 1988. Multi-Site ensures successful installations, proper system controls, data integrity, and satisfied users across multiple locations. |
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 Printable Features List
Software Demo >> Request More Info >> |
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