This page contains answers to Frequently Asked Questions I have
handled, along with some tips
and tricks that users and I have found useful and presented here as questions.
- What POS systems are compatible with WinCLD System?
- We are starting a new product tomorrow. Can I program WinCLD today?
- Can I move my cabinet items on the screen without
reprogramming them?
- One of my cabinet items is showing zeroes.
Why?
- All of my cabinet levels have been decreasing over the last
3 weeks, and now read zero.
Why?
- WinCLD screen says there have been no orders for 30
minutes, but we're selling food. What happened?
- WinCLD screen shows 3 sets of yellow numbers over each
cabinet level. Why?
- How often should I back up my WinCLD system?
- Is there any way to print the screens?
- Does the system require professional installation?
- How many of the systems have been installed?
- Is there a warranty on WinCLD system?
Note: These answers use a few shorthand conventions for describing user-interface
procedures. Keys shown at the bottom of WinCLD screen are represented with both
their number and label, such as [2 LUNCH]. Key combinations will be presented like this: Shift+Tab, which means that you
should press and hold down the Shift key, and the Tab key at the same time.
Menu selections will be presented like this: Manager->Utilities->Backup, which means that you should
press the Manager key on WinCLD, enter the Manager Password, then press the
Utilities key, enter the Editing Password, then press the Backup key. Unless
specifically stated, it is usually not necessary to press the Enter key when
programming WinCLD.
Currently, WinCLD supports all PC-POS register systems, including those
with Split-Function and those running Store Systems 1 or 1.5. Just make sure you have
WinCLD version 1.20 or above.
WinCLD also supports Panasonic II systems.
Yes, provided that the new menu item is already active on the POS system. WinCLD learns new menu item names only when it sees them rung up on the
registers, so this is the only way to teach it. Simply ring in one of the
products, then overring the order. While the net product mix is zero, the name
is now in the database.
Absolutely! At the bottom of each cabinet editing screen, there are 3
function keys shown. Press [F7 CUT] to copy the item to memory and
clear the current line, move the
cursor to where you want it moved, and press [F8 PASTE] to paste it in the
new position. Similarly, you can duplicate an item by pressing [F6 COPY] to
copy it, move to another line, and then press [F8 PASTE] to paste it in the
now position. You can even use this procedure to copy an item from one screen,
then paste it onto another one. One warning, though: Press the [9 SAVE]
key
frequently to save your cabinet layout. That way, if you make a mistake, you
can simply exit out of manager mode without saving changes, and just start
over.
The obvious answer is that you didn't assign a menu item to this cabinet
item, but you probably already checked that. The most common cause is that
someone changed the menu item name for this item. WinCLD, remember, treats
every new name as a new menu item. The name is only a group of letters. To WinCLD, HAMBURGER and HAMBURG are completely different menu items. If you change
the name, you need to reassign the new menu item to the cabinet item, in
addition to the old menu item name. Why the old one too? Because you probably
have hundreds of days of product mix saved under the old name. By assigning
both the new and the old, you can still use all of that saved product mix.
This means that your WinCLD has not been processing orders in over 3 weeks.
The most common cause is that you upgraded your registers but did not upgrade
your WinCLD. WinCLD version 1.20 is compatible with all PC-POS register software, so
you can install it before you upgrade your registers to version 4.0.
This problem can also result if you (or your help desk) removed the POS
programming which sends the product mix to WinCLD. Simply re-program the
system, using WinCLD Installation Manual.
WinCLD receives its information from a POS keystation, or in the case of a
stainless steel Pan II system, a printer control box. Either the POS isn't
sending, or WinCLD isn't receiving. Press the [8 DATA] key to view
the incoming register data. If it's not changing, follow these steps:
- The most common cause of this problem is that the registers have been
reprogrammed to not send data to WinCLD. Remember that WinCLD pretends
it is a front KVS monitor. Help desks see this, and ask the shift manager
if you have a KVS monitor up front. They invariably say "no", so
the help desk removes the programming. To fix this, you will need to
repeat the steps in the installation manual. To view and print the installation manual, by click on
the link below.
- Check that the thin gray or white data cable is properly connected on both ends.
- Try rebooting WinCLD. Exit the program, using the quitting password.
Then, press 1 to reboot the system. Check the data input again.
- Try actually powering off WinCLD. Follow the instructions in 2 above,
but power off WinCLD when it says it is safe. Wait 15 seconds, and turn
it back on. Check the data again.
- Try rebooting the connected keystation or printer control box for 15
seconds, and turn it back on.
Additional help can be found in the troubleshooting section of WinCLD
Installation manual. If you lost yours, you
can download one by clicking here.
The 1-3 yellow numbers above each cabinet item level are simply your
historical usage for that item for this time of day, for the days shown at the
bottom of the screen. This is an aid for you when determining where the
cabinet level numbers come from, and to help convince the crew to trust the
numbers. To remove the numbers, simply press the slash [/] key on
your keypad.
WinCLD automatically backs up all information to a CD-RW disc every morning
at 4:00 AM. Simply make sure you have an error-free disc in the drive, and
WinCLD will take care of backing up your data. We recommend replacing the
disc at least once per month and saving the used one in a safe place.
Yes! WinCLD is compatible with any Windows printer. Install your printer
driver under Windows, and make sure it is the default printer. You can
either add a new printer, or add a sharing box and use an existing printer.
See all of the details in Technical
Note #4.
No. The system can be installed by store personnel with some mechanical
knowledge and some familiarity with manager functions on the POS system. The
most difficult part of the installation is hanging the monitor bracket, which
is within the abilities of just about anyone. A comprehensive installation
manual is available, and you can view or download a copy now by visiting WinCLD
Downloads Page.
As of 09/01/2003, 64 WinCLD systems have been installed in New York,
Pennsylvania, Kentucky, West Virginia, California, and Ontario, Canada. These restaurants are owned by
more than 21 Owner/Operators, plus Corporation. A
list of references is available upon request.
Yes. We provide a 1-year parts and labor warranty on WinCLD computer and
keypad, including advance shipment of a reconditioned WinCLD computer. The monitor is warranted by the
manufacturer. If you need to send your monitor to Optiquest for repair, MCE will
provide a copy of the original invoice.
As software upgrades are freely available on this
website, there will never be a charge for upgrading your DOS-based WinCLD software.
If a Windowsâ or Linuxâ
version is developed, current WinCLD
licensees will be able to upgrade at a reasonable cost.
If you need assistance, please refer to WinCLD Feedback page on this site.
MCE will provide limited telephone support for system troubleshooting and
problem solving to customers who purchased their WinCLD directly from Meyers
Custom Electronics. Please consult the resources provided on this web site
before calling.
