K3 have a bundle of hardware which is available for purchase, this bundle consists of a Connector, Printer, Cash Draw and Scanner.

This Hardware is tightly controlled to ensure compatibility with the Connector.

Connector

The Connector is an ARM (Advanced RISC Machines) Device which serves as a POS Hardware station. It allows for a browser to print to a POS Printer, and connect a Cash Drawer and is also known as a POP (Point of Payment)

The Connector is a K3-manufactured Linux (x86_64) server device, it has several USB ports to support Serial devices with USB connections.  

An Ethernet connection is also required, connected to the network via a CAT5e or higher cable. 


The Connector currently supports two types of Printer.

  • A K3 manufactured printer,
  • Epson T88V printer.

Printers

  • K3 Thermal Receipt Printer - This printer is manufactured by K3 and is a standard 40 column receipt printer similar to an Epson T88. 

It must be connected via a serial device (9 pin). The on-board Drawer Kicker can be used to fire the connected cash drawer.

  • Epson T88V - This standard printer must be connected as a serial device (25 pin). The on-board Drawer Kicker can be used to fire the connected cash drawer. There are specific dip switch settings required for the TM88V.
  • ODP333 - This printer is manufactured by Aures and is a standard 40 column receipt printer similar to an Epson T88. Baud settings may need to be altered for this printer and logo's need flashing to the printer memory.
  • Also supported is any Epson compatible cash drawer connected to the same printers.

Label Printers

The only supported label printer is the Citizen CL-S521 using thermal direct printing.

Other label printers that support the ZPL language and have a serial port may work, however these are not directly supported by K3 e.g. Zebra GK420d with serial port.

Cash Drawers

K3 Cash Drawer - This is a cash drawer manufactured by K3 using an Epson Compatible Drawer Kick port.

Any Epson compatible Cash Drawer

Scanners

Any scanner which the POS Software runs on needs to be able to support and run in "Keyboard Wedge" mode, this could be USB, PS/2 or Bluetooth. 

It is advised that the scanner is tested with any barcode labels in use, either pre-printed on products or printed in-house, as well as scanning the receipt barcode to ensure the output exactly matches the data represented by the barcode. 

NOTE: A simple test can be run by scanning the barcode in to a text editor (such as Notepad or TextEdit) and comparing the data to the barcode.

NOTE: There are some options with in Imagine that allow simultaneous printing to both label and receipt printers, such as gift receipt/label printing. If you choose to use either a receipt printer or a label printer but not both, the connector will attempt to print to the only device available if these options are selected. This may lead to spurious characters on either labels or receipts. If this occurs check the settings within Imagine to use only the device you have available.

Barcode Scanners

Both the USB and Bluetooth type scanners in the keyboard wedge mode have proven to work successfully with Imagine. K3 cannot list all compatible makes or models due to the non exhaustive types of platforms, browsers, connection types and driver requirements.

NCR SCO tri-Light

The NCR SCO tri-light requires the SCO Agent to be running in order to function. This can be installed by your local K3 representative or by contacting your local K3 Support.