The Matrix PoS System can receive information from almost any source. Typically data is received from either spreadsheets, (imported manually or automatically), or using some form of data transfer technology, such an ODBC connection, XML via web services or logging on via a terminal session and invoking a data transfer, for older systems.

This information received may contain store specific data such as pricing and product availability. However if this information isn't available, the Matrix PoS System can itself store all store related information, such as floor-space, facility availability and planograms of shelf space.

Using this information the Matrix PoS System can calculate print runs and collate artwork for large format PoS which cannot be printed in-store, or plan the walk order and sheet formatting for in-store printing.

Once the data has been collected the Matrix PoS System can create the PoS artwork. This artwork can be created internally or externally using a DTP application.

The internal PoS can be generated at phenomenal speed, typically 5,000 per minute, but lacks any of the flair or design that DTP generated PoS contain.

External PoS artwork can created using either QuarkXPress or Adobe InDesign. Using the Matrix PoS System's internal image database, logos and product shots can be placed automatically on the design. Text can be placed in any font, at any size and full utilization of the DTP application's typography taken advantage of such as; font scaling, tracking, leading, kerning, rotation, colour, glyphs, skew, vertical and horizontal alignment, insets, indents, baselines and tabulation.

Controling all the power of the DTP application automatically gives the best of both worlds, with the perfect, professional, aesthetically designed PoS artwork you would expect from a human designer... but produced almost instantaneously at any time of day or night.

Whilst the speed this "designed" artwork is generated is significantly slower than internally generated PoS (typically 2 tickets per machine per second) the system works using a distributed processing model, where the server controls a number of client machines and splits the workload between all the available machines. If any of the machines should fail, the server re-directs the remaining workload to the remaining machines. Also if the server itself fails, a second server can be set to "mirror" the first and "kick-in" to replace it. This level of redundant capability and sophisticated processing is what leads Matrix PoS users to enthuse so strongly about it's stability.

When the artwork has been produced it needs to be converted into a format which can be printed automatically by both in-store printers for small format artwork and the Raster Image Processors or "RIPs" for large format artwork.

The Matrix PoS System can generate any format required; Portable Document Format (PDF), Encapsulated PostScript (EPS), PostScript (PS) or Printer Command Language (PCL). The format required depends upon the manufacturer and model of the laser printers used in-store, and software running on the RIP.

These files are then imported back into the Matrix PoS System so they can be distributed to the relevant device at the relevant location.

Because the Matrix PoS System knows which store requires which piece of artwork, it can collate and plan the necessary files to be transfered to that store. If the store is connected via a Private Network or Virtual Private Network then files can be sent directly to the store's laser printer but even if the store isn't directly connected the system contains a built-in mail server and can distribute files via e-mail. Along with the artwork files, reports, planograms and walk order sheets can be sent to the store for printing.

Large format artwork can be printed on different devices dependent on print quantity, artwork size or device location to maximize the efficiency of the print run.