Prism Users Guide - Chapter 31. Centrals
31.2 Centrals Configuration
This topic has information about configuring the Centrals service, including:
- Installation Defaults - Centrals Service Configuration
- Admin Console - Node Preferences - Transactions - Centrals
- Admin Console - Node Preferences - Transactions - Tenders - Requirements
- Store Operations - Employees = Group Management - Permissions
Installation Defaults - Centrals Service Configuration
All machines using Prism Centrals must enter the FQDN, hostname, or IP Address of the Centrals server in Admin Console > Installation Defaults. The Centrals server settings in Installation Defaults are not replicated, so be sure to enter the correct Centrals server settings, including Timeout and Interval at each machine (including the Centrals Server itself). There is not a separate ‘Centrals' service in Prism. Instead, the PrismPOSV1Service at the designated Centrals server handles centrals requests (for each centrals type enabled in preferences). The Interval is the interval at which the Resiliency service will run to check if the connection to the Centrals server has been restored (when in offline mode).
When configuring centrals in Admin Console > Node Preferences > Customers > Loyalty, select the desired Centrals server from a drop-down in the Connection Name field. Previously, users had to manually type an IP address or FQDN. Making the Connection Name field a drop-down instead of text entry prevents user input errors.
Sample Installation Defaults:
Centrals Service Configuration
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Central Address | The FQDN, hostname or IP address of the machine that will be the Centrals server. This setting must be entered on each workstation that will participate in Centrals including the Centrals Server itself. Select the desired server from the drop-down. |
| Timeout | The number of seconds to attempt to reach the Centrals server before timing out. Default is 30 seconds. Note: When centrals is enabled, one transaction may cause several Centrals calls. This would cause major delays during a transaction. It is therefore advisable to start with a timeout of something like 5 seconds and increase/decrease from there. |
| Interval | When Centrals is enabled, the PrismResiliencyService runs automatically in the background according to the Interval defined in Installation Defaults. You can run the service outside of the interval by clicking the "Run Resiliency" button. The Interval is the frequency (in minutes) when PrismResiliencyService tries to re-connect to the Centrals server. For example, entering a value of 5 means that if the Centrals server is offline, the PrismResiliencyService will check every five minutes until the connection is restored. |
| Test | Click the Test button to verify connectivity with the Centrals server. Enter a valid username/password to connect. "Successful" indicates the machine is able to connect to the Centrals server. "Offline" indicates the Centrals server is reachable but the Centrals service is not running. "Cannot Connect to Host" indicates the hostname/IP address cannot be found. "HTTP/1.1 401" error indicates the username or password is incorrect. Note on username/password used during Test The Central username/password used during the Test is the user who will be used to request all Centrals information. You can use the PRISM_CUSTOM user for centrals authentication and that user will not consume a seat when performing centrals functions. Any other user will consume a seat. default login credentials: prism_custom/cust0m@2024! |
Admin Console - Node Preferences - Transactions - Centrals
In Admin Console > Node Preferences > Transactions > Centrals are preferences for configuring Central Customer Lookup, Central Credit, Central Returns and Central Gift Cards.
The following table has information about the available options.
| Preference | Description |
|---|---|
| Central Customers | |
| Enabled | Select the Enabled checkbox to enable central customer lookup. When enabled, customer lookups will use the Centrals Server. |
| Central Returns | |
| Enabled | Select the Enabled checkbox to enable central returns. When enabled, referenced returns will use the Centrals Server. |
| Central Gift Card | |
| Enabled | Select the Enabled checkbox to enable gift cards. When enabled, transactions that use the central gift card tender will use the Centrals Server. Note: You must also enable the central gift card tender in Node Preferences > Transactions > Tenders > Tender Requirements. |
| Use entire balance if projected balance less than | This preference enables you to zero out a central gift card if the projected balance is less than the amount entered here. For example, if the transaction will result in a balance of less than 0.25, the entire central gift card balance will be used, rather than issuing a new credit for such a small amount. |
| When tendering by Central Gift Card restrict given tender to | This preference enables you to require change to be given in a specific tender. When tendering by central gift card, users must use the tender selected here when giving change. Mask card number in dialogs If selected, when a card number is scanned, the card number will be masked (using asterisks). |
| Mask card number in dialogs | If selected, when a card number is scanned, the card number will be masked (using asterisks). |
| Generate central ID | If selected, then when adding/activating a new gift card, the Centrals Server will generate the Gift Card ID. This enables customers to redeem central credits by ID. |
| Allow card information to be keyed in | If selected, central gift card information can be typed. If not selected, the card information must be entered by scanning or swiping the card. |
| Set expiration date upon activation (days from activation) | When enabled, activating a Central Gift Card will set an expiration date for that card, based on 'days' designation. Inherited (Corp, SBS, Store, WS). Inherited (Corp, SBS, Store, WS) Default = Disabled |
| Allow alphanumeric values | When enabled, users can enter alphanumeric values for: Activation, Add Value, Redeem.
Notes
|
| Purchase Limit | Enter the maximum amount for a new gift card activation or when adding value to an existing gift card. |
| Manage IDs By | This setting determines the stores at which a Central ID can be redeemed. Subsidiary: If selected, then each Central ID can only be used at stores in the same subsidiary as the store where the Central Credit ID was created. Store: If selected, then each Central ID can only be used at the same store where it was created. All: If selected, then each Central ID can be used at all stores at all subsidiaries in the company. |
| Set maximum value upon activation | When enabled, activating a Central Gift Card will set a maximum value for that card, equal to the activation amount. If disabled, no maximum value for the card is set. Inherited (Corp, SBS, Store, WS) Default = Disabled |
| Central Credit | |
| Enabled | If selected, then central credit will be available as a tender at POS. Selecting this option enables the other central credit preferences |
| Use entire balance if projected balance less than | This preference enables you to zero out a central credit if the projected balance is less than the amount entered here. For example, if the transaction will result in a balance of less than 0.25, the entire central credit balance will be used, rather than issuing a new credit for such a small amount. |
| When tendering by Central Credit restrict given tender to | Requires change to be given in a specific tender. When tendering by central credit, users must give change using the tender selected here |
| Suggest Central Credit as a tender when available | If this preference is selected, then when tendering a transaction that has a customer who has a positive central credit balance, a prompt will be displayed, asking if the customer wants to use available credit. |
| Total Negative Balance permitted | This preference enables you to limit the amount by which a customer's central credit balance can go negative. If the transaction results in a negative balance that exceeds the value entered here, a prompt is displayed. |
| Offline Take Limit | Enter the upper limit for central credit transactions performed offline. Transactions with a Total above the entered Offline Take Limit are not allowed. If Resiliency is not running, the Prism server ignores the Offline Take Limit. The default Offline Take Limit value is zero, which means no offline transactions are permitted. |
| Purchase Limit | Enter the maximum amount of store credit that can be purchased |
Admin Console - Node Preferences - Transactions - Tenders - Requirement - Enable Central Gift Card Tender
To use central gift cards as a tender at POS, you must enable the tender in Admin Console > Node Preferences > Transactions > Tenders > Requirements.
Click the "Take", "Give' and "Return" checkboxes for Central Gift Cards.
Save the changes
Store Operations - Employees - Group Management - Permissions
Note: This table only lists permissions directly related to centrals. Additional permissions that pertain to both centrals and non-centrals customer lookup and returns are available.
| Permission | Description |
|---|---|
| POS - Add Central Gift Card | Controls the ability to sell and activate a new central gift card. |
| POS - Allow Negative Central Credit Balance | Controls the ability to update a transaction that results in a negative balance on a central gift card. |
| POS - Change Central Gift Card Expirations | Controls the ability to change the Expiration Date for central gift cards. |
| POS - Check Central Gift Card Balance | Controls the ability to check a customer's central gift card balance. |
| Tenders - Give Central Gift Card | Controls the ability to give a central gift card as change. |
| Tenders - Return Central Gift Card | Controls the ability to select central gift card as a tender on an item return. |
| Tenders - Take Central Gift Card | Controls the ability to take a central gift card as payment. |