Node Preferences - Transaction - Centrals Preferences
The Centrals feature enables Prism web clients to connect to a central server when creating returns, looking up customers, or when issuing/redeeming gift cards and store credit. By connecting to the centrals server, retailers can avoid common problems that arise when performing returns or customer lookups, including fraudulent returns and an inability to access customer information needed to complete a transaction. In this area of Prism preferences, enable Centrals and set the desired centrals options as needed.
Centrals Server Settings
| Preference | Description |
|---|---|
| Service State | The current state of the service: Active or Sleeping. |
| Last Cycle | Displays the date/time of the last connection and the status of the connection. |
| Status of Last Cycle | Displays the number of offline transactions or the message "No Offline Transactions Found". |
| Next Cycle | Displays the date/time of the next scheduled check of the resiliency connection. |
| Run Resiliency | Tap or click the Run Resiliency button to immediately start the Resiliency connection process. |
Run Resiliency
The Resiliency feature allows you to continue processing Centrals transactions offline if you lose your connection to the network. When your connection is restored, RP Prism automatically processes the transactions performed while offline.
To run resiliency:
Define an Offline Take Limit limit.
Click Run Resiliency in Admin Console > Node Preferences > Transactions > Centrals.
Perform transactions as usual (up to the defined Take Limit for each transaction). If the connection with the server is lost, a message will be displayed in the UI and a "Process Offline" button is available in the tender screen.
When the connection is restored, Prism will process the transactions performed while offline.
Central Customers
| Preference | Description |
|---|---|
| Enabled | Select the checkbox to use central customer lookup. |
| Max Results | Enter the maximum number of results that should be returned from the server for lookups (1 to 500). |
Central Credit
Note: Central Credit is a subset of Central Customers. First, enable Central Customers, then enable Central Credit.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Enable | If selected, then central credit will be available as a tender at POS. Selecting this option enables the other central credit preferences. |
| Use all 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. |
| Total negative balance permitted | This preference enables you to limit the amount by which a customer's central credit balance is allowed to go negative. If the transaction results in a negative balance that exceeds the value entered here, a prompt is displayed. |
| When tendering by Central Credit, restrict given tender to | This preference enables you to require change to be given in a specific tender. When tendering by central credit, users must use the tender selected here when giving change. |
| Offline Take Limit | Enter the upper limit for central credit transactions performed offline. Transactions with a Total above the entered Offline Limit are not allowed. |
| Purchase Limit | The number entered in this field limits the amount of central store credit that can be purchased or given as change. If the value is set to $0.00, it means "No Limit." |
| 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 the available store credit. |
Central Returns
| Preference | Description |
|---|---|
| Enabled | Select the checkbox to use central returns. |
| Max Result | Enter the maximum number of results that should be returned from the server when performing central returns (1 to 500). |
Central Gift Cards
| Preference | Description |
|---|---|
| Enabled | If selected, central gift cards will be available as a tender at POS. The other central gift card options are disabled for editing until you select this check box. |
| Use all 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. |
| Totally negative balance permitted | (deprecated) This preference enables you to set a limit on the amount of any negative gift card balance for a customer. If the transaction results in a negative balance that exceeds the value entered here, a prompt is displayed. |
| 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. |
| Offline Take Limit | Enter the upper limit for central gift card transactions performed offline. Transactions with a Total above the entered Offline Limit are not allowed. |
| Purchase Limit | The value entered in this field limits the amount of value that can be added to a central gift card. This applies to purchasing, adding value, or giving change. If the value is set to $0.00, it means "No Limit." |
| Mask card number in dialogues | 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. Note: Redeem Central Payment by ID feature. See the subsection on "Redeeming 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 | 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 |
| 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. Inherited (Corp, SBS, Store, WS) Default = Disabled |
Sample Transactions - Centrals Preferences:
