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Symphony Pro User Manual 2.0.2.15
2 About Symphony Pro application
Overview
The Symphony Pro Software application is designed as the back office controller for Symphony POS front end terminals and TEC ECRs. Together, they represent TOSHIBA TEC AMERICA RETAIL INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC.'s most recent store management tools. Symphony Pro is the core application for back office control, acting as the centralized data storage, programming interface, communication center, event scheduler, and office application launcher. As the core of the store system, Symphony Pro is designed to run continuously on at least one station in the network. This allows it to execute scheduled events, for example sending item prices to all front end Symphony POS terminals and TEC ECRs.
Data Storage
Symphony Pro uses a relational database system to maintain all system information. Conventional databases often use single records that contain all information about a specific data type in a set number of fields. This limits the amount of information that can be kept for a data type. If new information is required, fields must be added. For example, if you keep customer information, a conventional database record might have two (2) possible telephone number fields. If a third telephone number field becomes necessary, the entire database must be changed to accept the new information.
Relational databases use table sets to link information, allowing for far greater flexibility. As with any database, each data type must have a unique identifier to distinguish it from other data items of the same type. By combining two or more unique identifiers, it is possible to keep multiple values for a single data type. For example, if you sell items at different price levels, you need to keep many prices for the same item. Instead of adding price fields, the relational system allows you to have a price level table with as many levels as required. By combining the unique item code and the price level, it is possible to create a new unique record for each price for the item in the price table.
Security
As with any critical data system, security is always an issue. Symphony Pro offers configurable security "levels" so that users can only access functions that are available to their assigned security level. For example, you probably want the store manager to be allowed to add / remove items, but cashiers should not be allowed. When a user logs into the system, they can only activate or use options that their security level allows them.
© 2005 TOSHIBA TEC AMERICA AMERICA RETAIL SYSTEMS, INC. R1.0a
