Software to interface your cash register to a computer is known as Polling Software. The software Polls the register and brings the data back to the PC for reporting. Another useful feature software offers is programming your cash register from the software.
However there are limitations of most Polling Software. The report available are the same as the cash register. Software does not enhance the reports. Most software does not allowing consolidated reporting over a date range. A specific date range, yes but not a range of dates.
The most useful function of Polling Software is maintaining a UPC file of a cash register. For example price changes, names, etc.
Polling Software for what ever reason most often do not have an import feature that would allow importing UPC numbers with titles and price. Some packages can only do this if you send your file to the publisher of the software most often for a fee. I have always found this to be a huge flaw of Polling Software.
Polling can be done via modem, direct connect, and in a few higher ends models by TCP/IP over the internet or LAN. Direct connect or TCP/IP are the best options. Modems seem unreliable with cash registers.
TCRG