>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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>Any thoughts will be appreciated.

A good source for us was MS Cashdrawer (www.mscashdrawer.com). They manufacturer several varieties of cash drawers (dumb and smart). They are also a reseller for Ithaca and Star (receipt printers). They also offer other POS equipment (stripe readers, pole displays, etc.).

Ithaca offers both ActiveX and DLL function library interfaces. Not that you can get them at this vendor, but I believe others here have used the Epson series and they also offer the same thing.

Cash drawers are easily interfaced via MSCOMM32. The dumb drawers open if any character is sent to them. The smart drawers require a specific string (user configurable) before they will open.

Because of the serial nature of the cash drawer, I also recommend getting a serial stripe reader. It's easier (IMO) to create an interface using MSCOMM32 then to create something using a keyboard wedge.

HTH.