Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme AG says it is responding to the demands of the small retailer by launching a lower priced entry-level addition to its Beetle electronic point of sale systems. Siemens is aiming the Beetle/20 at small multiple retailers and individual store owners, particularly those currently using electronic cash registers. The Beetle/20 starts from around $2,500 and comes either in a fully integrated package, or modular, with choice of peripherals. The integrated unit contains the central processor, power supply, memory devices, and point of sale peripherals such as keyboard, printer, operator and customer displays, card reader and optional uninterrupted power supply. All peripherals are powered from the central supply, meaning only one power cable. Specialized peripherals can be chosen, for example splash-proof keyboards for environments where food is being prepared. The base unit comes with a basic retail software package from Nixdorf, which it says will enable retailers to do all the basic trading functions. However, since it will be principally sold through resellers specializing in vertical market sectors, it is more likely that users will be offered market-specific software at an extra cost.
