>We would like to integrate a POS terminal with our custom VFP/FP2X mail order system and are looking for recommendations for a hardware solution that includes a register/cash drawer, laser scanner, pole display, regular small color display, thermal printer, and stripe reader.
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>Is it better to buy separate components or buy a hardware package? Most if not all packages that I've found come with software which I doubt could be reprogrammed to fit our needs?
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I've never written a POS system, but from the standpoint of barcode and receipt printers, I've always tried to purchase hardware with it's own interface (in the case of barcode and label printers, particularly form-oriented printers, an ActiveX or API driver is nearly always preferable to using a Windows GDI printer interface.) Barcode scanners, if you can, use a wedge device (a wedge device interfaces through the keyboard, and scanned data is handled as if it were typed in, so that the input can come from either the barcode reader or the keyboard and have it handled by the same control, typically a textbox.) There are mag stripe readers that can also function as wedge devices. You may find it to be more convenient to use a system with a USB keyboard and mouse, and USB barcode reader and mag stripe reader, since USB is a more flexible interface, and is likely to be better able to handle multiple devices in-line. If you do go this route, ensure that the PC is capable of working with a USB keyboard and mouse, and that you purchase a USB hub that can handle the number of USB devices needed. You may find pole displays and custm printers with USB interfaces; USB is easier to configure than muliple serial ports in many cases.