So as working in a c-store is vastly more complex than you'd think, I guess it's time to cover the technological fun of dealing with what's in a c-store.
The primary things everyone thinks of is the point of sale. Point of sale is an important point, but not the only thing. In general, most point of sale systems end up having a server, and 1-2 terminals. On top of that, you have some sort of device to handle the fuel controller. Sometimes those are IP based, sometimes not.
In the modern arena, you also end up with network connected pin pads... If we were making a list, we'd have..
1 )POS router
2) POS switch
3) POS controller
4) POS terminals 1
5) POS pin pad 1
6) POS terminal 2
7) POS pin pad 2
8) Fuel Controller
I'd always recommend 2 POS terminals. Why? Because if one goes down, all your in store sales are down. And most of the money made in a C-Store is not out at the gas pump. The gas pump is just a driver to get the customer inside the store. In any situation, 2 is 1 and 1 is none. Redundancy, redundancy, redundancy.
So, we've got the money maker down and out. Problem is, you still don't have a primary network connection for all the rest of the stuff.
Now, people have tried to merge the POS router into the site level router. That's a bad idea. The purpose of the point of sale router is to segment all the money making from the rest of the system. It's not good to try and merge all that together to save a marginal amount of money. Don't scrimp on the main things. Get a good router/firewall and probably the vendor specific point of sale router.
While we're talking about site level routers, you need a backup credit card solution. I recommend cellular. Phone dial-up has grown worse and worse, and is generally unsupported decently. Cellular signal is generally pretty okay, and running a small 300 MB data plan just for backup credit card traffic is well worth the cost.
The cell backup might run you $100 a month. Realize in one network outage that lasted 3 hours, a large size store can run $500 in credit card traffic. One outage more than pays for the cell backup for the next several months.
So, we're also going to need a site level switch. That's to plug all those other devices in that have nothing to do with processing money. It's all in the automation and scaling.
9) Site level router
10) Cellular backup device
11) Site level switch
12) Site broadband connection
I glossed over the site broadband connection because that generally depends on what you've got in the location. Large cities will have a great cable modem system. Small ones you deal with what you can get. Your needs dictate. Other than AT&T DSL, I've never had any real issues. All generally run the same tech and have the same stuff.
My problem with AT&T DSL narrowed down to the inability of them to provide a static IP with unfiltered network to form VPNs. It's home service for home users. Anyways...
Now that we've got the primary network setup and the POS running, we've got a system that will work.
Now all the other things in the store that have nothing to do with making money, but do.
13) Alarm system.
Assuming your store is going to close, you're going to need one. Most of the one's I've dealt with borrow a port on your network so they don't have to pay for their own. Cuts your cost a bit.
14) HVAC system
The modern HVAC system is nice and network connected. So the maintenance team can get alerted when those pesky coolers fail. And that gets expensive when you lose all that product.
15) Remote power systems (multiple)
I'm primarily talking about devices made by Digital Loggers, Inc. They are a great company, and make a great product. So what's the purpose of this thing, and why do you put one (or more) in your locations?
Ever had to drive several hours just to pull the plug on a device? Ever hated that? Ever wanted to do it from the comfort of your desk?
Buy one of these things. Or more than one. I put one on every single terminal out of town. Rebooting a device once generally pays for the travel/time cost of one of these devices.
16) Back office computer
This might be the only traditional computer on site. Purposes are handling paperwork and ordering.
17) Side bar devices
These are all those stupid little terminals to implement things the point of sale doesn't. Checks processing, food stamps, money orders, and gift cards. They junk up the counters and make small amounts of money. But everyone has them.
18) Printer
A good multi-function network printer is well worth it. Outsource this sucker as best as possible, and save your IT. Printers are a mess.
19) NVR/DVR
The device I don't like the most. Probably because of the expectation of what the DVR is good for. The purpose of the DVR is for after event examination. It's not for stopping some kid stealing candy. You are not going to stop that kid by staring at a tiny screen.
20) DVR POE switch
To power all those cameras that cover everything from the fuel island to the junk isle.
21) Tank Level Sensor
Used to monitor the underground fuel tanks.
22) ATM
In the c-store world, you need to be in the ATM business. It's not complex, it's not expensive, and it makes decent money. Throw it on cell backup, and then when the rest of the world is down you can still have people pulling their money out at $2-4 dollars a hit. Fill the ATM with $20s out of your deposit, and you don't even have to pay separately to fill the ATM. It's win-win-win.
23) Battery backup
You need a network connected battery backup. It doesn't do any good to have a battery backup on your major system and then not even monitor it. Crazy. But that's the mentality of many people. We'll go into that one on a later date.
24) In store music
Those blaring, pre-built playlists interspersed with your own custom ads make for interesting stuff. It can either be great or horrible. It also lets you control the type of music that is played in your store. Don't like country? Then you'll probably hire an employee that brings a boom box and plays it way too loud. The same can be said for any type of music or talk radio. Pay for in store music and control the experience. It's probably not going to make you much money, but it will give you a unified experience across your chain.
25) In store media
Paper menus are out-dated. You can do it all with a raspberry pi, piSignage, and a TV. It's also dirt cheap in comparison to some of the other options.
26) Gas price signs
These generally don't have a network connection, and integrate directly with the point of sale. But it's another piece of electronic that needs to be considered.
27) Safe
I hate safes. I really do. I don't think they should be managed by IT departments. But I do, and I hate them. They are a necessary evil of the system. It's the best way to store the money prior to pickup by armored car or before it goes to the bank. Even if the IT department doesn't manage the device, it's likely the thing has a network jack. Which means you need to network it and fight with the safe tech that doesn't know the difference between DHCP and DNS.
Come to think of it, that's most point of sale techs as well.
Anyways.
That's a separate argument.
So I think that about covers what is in the normal c-store. Realize that's 27 devices, but could easily be 35-40 without IP cameras.
How? I put at least 4 WebPower switches in every out of town location. So there's 30. Add another few side bar devices (checks, money order, food stamp, gift card) and you're up to 35 and quickly.
Add the IP cameras, and you've got 60+ network connected devices in one location.
That's a lot of network for a place that sells cigarettes, beer, and gas.
