POS Converter 

SAP Retail has an open interface for connecting POS systems. Since a POS system interface may not be defined in the same way as the SAP Retail interface, SAP Retail communicates with the POS systems in the stores using one or more converters.

The converters are located in the same place as the SAP Retail system and communicate with the system by means of intermediate documents (IDocs) using a local area network (LAN). The converters usually communicate with the POS systems using a wide area network (WAN), using a modem, packet switched data transmission or the Internet, for example. The POS systems in the stores may consist of several POS controllers. Every POS controller normally has one POS server to which the individual electronic cash registers are linked.

You can use more converters to distribute loads and increase reliability. The converters convert the messages sent between SAP Retail and the POS systems into the required format. They also trigger communication with the POS systems at the correct point in time, ensuring at the same time that a suitable communication medium and communications protocol is used. Each converter usually supports the formats needed by a number of different POS systems.

The converters are not part of SAP Retail. SAP partners offer them. The converter software runs on separate hardware, for example a PC, independent of the SAP system For more information on installing and operating the converters, see the documentation relating to the particular converter you are using.