Store Server Architecture
The standard environment for registers in an NSPOS network is to communicate with and receive database updates from NetSuite ERP through direct connections to the replication server. Growing a business by adding many registers can impact replication server performance.
To assure performance for our larger retailers, NSPOS includes a Store Server Architecture option. Under this model, we define some registers in a store as server terminals that act as database hubs. These servers receive database updates from the replication server.
Then we set other registers in the same store to be POSClient terminals that rely on the data held in the server terminals. The server terminals can act both as registers and databases, handling the information required for the POSClient terminals to process transactions.
The three configurations available in Store Server Architecture are:
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Standalone – Typical NSPOS register with its own database and replication server connection.
Kiosk – Standalone register provisioned for shopper self-checkout.
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Server with POS – Server terminal that is also available as an NSPOS register.
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POSClient – NSPOS register dependent on a Server with POS connection for database functions and most communication with the replication server. If a server terminal becomes unavailable, its POSClient terminals will no longer function due to the lack of a database.
The Store Server approach significantly lowers the requirements for replication server performance. We can support more registers and provide better overall functioning using the same replication server instance.
Although the server terminals handle most of the communication with the replication server, POSClient terminals still depend on replication server connectivity for displaying reports, or processing returns and real-time sales orders.
Because a Server with POS terminal might be temporarily shut down for maintenance or repair, you should have two server terminals running in every location using Store Server Architecture. See Workstation/Register Statuses in NSPOS in the troubleshooting section for a guide to active/inactive states and how to restore inactive registers.
The default setup is to assign all registers as standalone terminals.
Store Server fields on the RA-Workstation Record
Each register’s RA-Workstation record in NetSuite ERP includes a Provisioning section on the NetSuite RA-Workstation record. The Provisioning Type lists the workstation’s provisioned role.
If the role is POSClient, the section lists the workstation’s server under a Database Owner Workstation field. Click the link to open the server’s record.
If you need to reassign a POSClient to a different server, you must reprovision the workstation.