Recently, microcomputers have become powerful tools for many businesses that, when networked together, have replaced minicomputers and in some cases mainframes as information tools. MICR Readers are normally used to read the encoded information within the ink on a check. A device used to convert serial digital data for transmission over a telephone channel, or to reconvert the transmitted signal to serial digital data for acceptance by a receiving terminal. All stations share the same hard disk and may share other devices such as printers. A portable data collector is normally a temporary storage device that gathers information and downloads data into a main or central computer.
Programmable keyboards allow keys to represent special departments, functions, products, etc.
Often used when high performance and speed or reading bar codes is critical. In most cases, in personal computers, serial data is passed through an RS232 serial interface port. The card is inserted into a device that can read and write to it updating information appropriately. Solenoids have different voltages and are integrated into the cash drawer dependent on the printer they are interfaced to. The ribbon deposits a coating of dark material on the paper when exposed to intense heat.