Draft:IBM Retail Store System

Early deployments

← Previous revision Revision as of 09:41, 22 April 2026 Line 191: Line 191: Announced 11 October 1973; withdrawn 15 December 1987 Announced 11 October 1973; withdrawn 15 December 1987 ===Early deployments=== ===Early deployments=== One of the first installations was 12 registers at a Steinberg's supermarket in Dorval, Quebec, in July 1974. Steinberg's subsequently ordered three additional systems in 1975. Some of the issues seem during that first install included: One of the first installations was 12 registers at a Steinberg's supermarket in Dorval, Quebec, in July 1974. Steinberg's subsequently ordered three additional systems in 1975. Some of the issues seen during that first install included:

* Most merchandise did not have UPC codes, so Steinberg staff had to glue UPC stickers on around 250 different product lines. * Most merchandise did not have UPC codes, so Steinberg staff had to glue UPC stickers on around 250 different product lines. * Customers had to be educated on the fact that these items did not have price tags on them and a complete store price list was published so customers could check them. Grease pencils were offered to customers who wished to manually write the price on each item. Steinberg also offered a scanning terminal that customers could use to become familiar with the new technology. * Customers had to be educated on the fact that these items did not have price tags on them and a complete store price list was published so customers could check them. Grease pencils were offered to customers who wished to manually write the price on each item. Steinberg also offered a scanning terminal that customers could use to become familiar with the new technology. * The display on the PoS unit was hard to read (which IBM said they would remedy in a new design) and advanced too fast for consumers to read * Customers reported the display on the checkout station was hard to read (which IBM said they would remedy in a new design) and advanced too fast for to read because of the rate that the cashier could scan items * There was a concern that sunlight may affect scanning, although this was discounted at the time * There was a concern that sunlight may affect scanning, although this was discounted at the time * Credit card payment could not be accepted * Credit card payment could not be accepted

By the end of that year, approximately 15 systems were in operation or in customer test<ref name="Think1974-12" /><ref name="Think1976-02" /><ref>{{Cite journal |date=30 October 1974 |title=IBM 3660 Supermarket Test Draws ‘Positive Reaction’ |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_computerworld_1974-10-30_8_44/mode/2up?q=%22IBm+3660%22 |journal=Computerworld |volume=8 |issue=44 |pages=29}}</ref> By the end of that year, approximately 15 systems were in operation or in customer test.<ref name="Think1974-12" /><ref name="Think1976-02" /><ref>{{Cite journal |date=30 October 1974 |title=IBM 3660 Supermarket Test Draws ‘Positive Reaction’ |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_computerworld_1974-10-30_8_44/mode/2up?q=%22IBm+3660%22 |journal=Computerworld |volume=8 |issue=44 |pages=29}}</ref>

The lack of price tags along with the option to use grease pencils did result in legal action agains supermarket Purity Supreme who used the 3660. In 1977 they were challenged in Massachusetts Middlesex Superior Court as to the legality of not printing prices on each individual stock item.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=1 August 1977 |title=UPC-Based Store Ordered to Price-Mark Items |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_computerworld_1977-08-01_11_31/mode/2up?q=%22IBm+3660%22 |journal=Conmputerworld |volume=11 |issue=31 |pages=5}}</ref> The lack of price tags did result in legal action agains supermarket Purity Supreme in 1977. They were challenged in Massachusetts Middlesex Superior Court as to the legality of not printing prices on each individual stock item as part of their adoption of the 3660 system.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=1 August 1977 |title=UPC-Based Store Ordered to Price-Mark Items |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_computerworld_1977-08-01_11_31/mode/2up?q=%22IBm+3660%22 |journal=Conmputerworld |volume=11 |issue=31 |pages=5}}</ref>

==IBM 3680 Programmable Store System== ==IBM 3680 Programmable Store System== Line 231: Line 231:

==== IBM 3687 Checkout Scanner ==== ==== IBM 3687 Checkout Scanner ==== This is a third-generation scanning unit for the 3660 family and Model 1 was announced 19 November 1980. The Model 2 was announced 3 May 1985.<ref name="Hursley-HW" /> This is a third-generation scanning unit for the 36xx family and the Model 1 was announced 19 November 1980. The Model 2 was announced 3 May 1985.<ref name="Hursley-HW" />

=== Back office components === === Back office components === Line 239: Line 239: The store controller that manages the terminal network, storing transaction data, and communicating with the retailer's System/370 mainframe. It includes a 985,088 byte double sided diskette drive for application programs, transaction logs and reports.<ref name=":0" /> The store controller that manages the terminal network, storing transaction data, and communicating with the retailer's System/370 mainframe. It includes a 985,088 byte double sided diskette drive for application programs, transaction logs and reports.<ref name=":0" />

* Model 1: Single unit for a single store with 56 KB of storage * Model 1: Single unit for a single store with 56 KB of memory * Model 2: Master unit for multiple stores with 56 KB plus 32 KB of storage * Model 2: Master unit for multiple stores with 56 KB plus 32 KB of memory for each store * Built in printer * Built in printer * Options for an integrated modem or external modem * Options for an integrated modem or external modem * Option for disk pack * Option for a disk pack

Announced 8 January 1979; both models were withdrawn 15 December 1987.<ref name="Hursley-HW" /><ref name=":4" /> Announced 8 January 1979; both models were withdrawn 15 December 1987.<ref name="Hursley-HW" /><ref name=":4" /> Line 273: Line 273: * '''Client–server architecture''': the store controller acting as a shared server to a network of client terminals distributed across the store floor.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> * '''Client–server architecture''': the store controller acting as a shared server to a network of client terminals distributed across the store floor.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> * '''Local area network (LAN)''': the in-store SLOOP constituted a shared-medium network with addressable nodes, fault bypass circuitry, and automatic error reporting.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> * '''Local area network (LAN)''': the in-store SLOOP constituted a shared-medium network with addressable nodes, fault bypass circuitry, and automatic error reporting.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> * '''Remote initialisation''': terminals could be loaded with updated pricing and application programs from the central System/370 over telephone lines, without requiring on-site intervention.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> * '''Remote initialisation''': terminals could be loaded with updated pricing and application programs from the mainframe over telephone lines, without requiring on-site intervention.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> * '''Simultaneous backup''': the SLOOP design allowed continuous logging to backup storage and cross-store failover via the 3659 or 3669 communications units.<ref name=":0" /> * '''Simultaneous backup''': the SLOOP design allowed continuous logging to backup storage and cross-store failover via the 3659 or 3669 communications units.<ref name=":0" />