Cash Register ABCs - Terms

Departments

Departments are numbered keys on the keyboard that represent a grouping or category of items (such as dairy products). They can be used for quick and accurate entries of items sold, but are usually used for tracking and reporting. The number of departments ranges from 8 to 99.

Price Look-Ups (PLUs)

Commonly referred to as PLUs, these are numbers that can be programmed to represent merchandise or inventory. They are used for quick and accurate entry and tracking of frequently sold items. Once programmed, the user punches in the PLU code (e.g. 99) on the keypad and then presses the "PLU" button. The product's name and price and any other programmable information will immediately appear on the display. The number of PLUs can range from 1 to 30 000 depending on the model. Certain models also allow the user to assign a name to each PLU number, so that each selected item has a name, price, and description all at the touch of a button.

Clerk Identification System

Most models have a clerk ID security system that gives clerks an individual ID number allowing them to sign in and use the cash register. This system serves as a tracking and reporting feature for individual clerk sales. Magnetic locks such as the i-Button or Dallas Lock identify the clerk based on the magnetic key he/she is using, when logging on.

Cash Drawers & Trays

All models come with at least 4 slots for coins and 4 slots for bills in the cash drawer. Higher-end models come with a few extra slot trays or an accessory drawer for additional storage of currency and/or checks.

Cash Register Vocabulary


  • Clerk Identification: Assigns each user an ID number for security and monitoring of individual sales
  • Departments: Numbered keys representing categories of products – diary products, for instance, which can include cheese, milk, yogurt, etc
  • Display: Shows the clerk and/or the customer the amount, and often the type of purchase
  • Touch Screen: an interactive, virtual keyboard displayed on the screen of a cash register
  • Fiscal Cash Register: A cash register that satisfies a government’s fiscal (tax) laws
  • Fiscal Law: A government’s requirements to keep track of all sales generated revenue
  • Journal Tape: A copy of the receipt for the merchant. Often used for tax purposes
  • Management Report Printing: Provides periodic sales analysis by mid-day, end-of-day, week, and/or month
  • Price Look-Ups (PLU's): Numbers representing products used for entry and tracking
  • Secondary Charge Keys: Allows the user to separate multiple credit cards or payment options such as checks.

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