POS System Outages
Whether in-store or at an offsite event, CORE POS is built with functionality that supports operating both online and offline. The available POS and Back Office features depend on what connectivity is lost, e.g., internet connection, server is down.
Review the CORE POS Scenarios for Outages for details on each scenario and the available features (functionality) and limitations with loss connectivity. Each scenario directs you to the supporting process documentation. Click here to view in Excel.
| Internet Available? | Server (Network connection to the server) | Location | Available Features (Capabilities) | Limitations (Unavailable Features) | Resources |
| Yes (Can access msn.com) | Connected to store server using physical LAN (Able to access CORE POS Back Office) | In-store | All tenders and full functionality | None | |
| No (Can't access msn.com) | Connected to store server using physical LAN (Able to access CORE POS Back Office) | In-store | Tenders - Cash, Credit (Manual Auth) If store has standalone credit card terminals, Offsite Tender can be used. | A/R, FA and Campus Card Text Rental Digital book activation BHN gift card activation FHEG Gift Card purchase | Tender with Credit/Debit Card for Wireless (Stand-alone) Credit Card Terminal Instructions, if applicable |
| No (Can't access msn.com) | Server unavailable/crashed (Unable to access CORE POS Back Office and register shows Database Offline. See instructions below on How to See if Database Shows Offline on Register.) | In-store | Tenders - Cash, Credit (Manual Auth) If store has standalone credit card terminals, Offsite Tender can be used. | Returns with receipt Reprint receipt Email receipt functionality DEP enrollments/un-enrollments End of day operations like Safe Count, Change Orders, Bank Deposits, Till Close, Till Reconciliations, Register Close and Store Close Discount Matrix does not get applied, but this will be addressed post rush. | Offline Store Operations |
| Yes (Can access msn.com) | Server unavailable/crashed (Unable to access CORE POS Back Office and register shows Database Offline. See instructions below on How to See if Database Shows Offline on Register.) | In-store | If the server is offline, but the internet is available, all transactions and tenders are available and can be performed, except a refund with a receipt and campus cards. When the server is offline, the receipt cannot be scanned, so you must perform a Return Without a Receipt. | Refund with a receipt and campus card transactions No receipt return functionality can be used. | |
| Yes (Can access msn.com) | Connected to the store server by using Z-scaler; Connected to public WiFi using WiFi Adapter | Out of store | All tenders and full functionality | None | CORE POS Offsite Process |
| No (Can't access msn.com) | Not connected to the store server (Unable to access CORE POS Back Office and register shows Database Offline. See instructions below on How to See if Database Shows Offline on Register.) | Out of store | Tenders - Cash, Credit (Manual Auth) If store has standalone credit card terminals, Offsite Tender can be used. | Returns with receipt Reprint receipt Email receipt functionality DEP enrollments/un-enrollments End of day operations like Safe Count, Change Orders, Bank Deposits, Till Close, Till Reconciliations, Register Close and Store Close Discount Matrix does not get applied, but this will be addressed post rush. | CORE POS Offsite Process |
How to See if Database Shows Offline on RegisterIn the lower left corner of the CORE POS register screen, status displays as Online or Offline. Select the status link to view the status of the Database.
Key Reminders
Print and store important information for easy access in case the internet (The Quad) unexpectedly goes down.
Refer to the Merchant ID Numbers section on the Cash Accounting page or select the links below to access the documents directly.
Use the Merchant ID Numbers spreadsheet (US or Canada) and identify the Merchant ID numbers for your store.
Record the Merchant ID for each card type in the Credit Card Manual Auth Phone Numbers Template (US or Canada)
Any process documentation that you are not familiar or you need to train others, including:
When credit card manual authorization is required:
Follow the Payment (Credit or Debit) Card Acceptance Policy.
Manual authorizations are required only for transactions greater than $500.00.
If less than $500.00, enter 4-digit store number into the authorization field in CORE POS.
