CSK Auto, the largest auto parts chain in the Western U.S., with with 1,100 Checker, Schuck's, and Kragen auto parts stores in 19 states, is moving to a Linux-based point-of-sale (POS) system implemented by POS device and open systems software development specialist Ultimate Technology.

(Click for larger view of 2800 Series POS System)

According to Ultimate, CSK chose Ultimate's 2800 Series Integrated POS System for its open architecture, flexible configuration options, and easy serviceability. The system runs on SuSE Linux.

In addition to hardware, Ultimate Technology also provided middleware enabling CSK to maintain its legacy POS software application.

“One of the biggest challenges of this project,” said Ultimate CTO Paul C. Wolf, “was to develop middleware that allows their current Unix based application, which is hard-coded to specific peripherals, to run with contemporary peripherals without having to make changes to the application software. Another challenge of the project was to migrate their backup POS application from their legacy POS system to the new platform.”

The Ultimate 2800 Series POS terminals are based on commodity PC parts. Ultimate lists the following benefits for its Linux-based 2800 POS system:

• Modular design for easy service and upgrades, decreased service and upgrade costs
• Flexible configuration reduces initial investment costs
• Internal power management and cable routing provides a clean look, with one power cord to the wall

“Ultimate Technology designed a solution that allows us to deploy a contemporary open hardware solution that integrates to our legacy software and provides a migration path to new software in the future,” said Larry Buresh, sr. vice president and chief information officer at CSK.

 
This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.