NCR CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE RESOURCES
C-stores: What to do with your NCR technology if you need to close
Published March 25, 2020
As the coronavirus continues to spread, more governments are issuing restrictions designed to limit people gathering—or mandating that they stay inside altogether. Some businesses, like restaurants and entertainment venues, have been required or volunteered to close. Increasingly, this includes retailers too.
But what do you do with your NCR retail technology if you have to close your c-store? How do you still engage your shoppers?
Here’s some guidance to help.
NCR RPOS Customers: Closing stores but still selling fuel (if allowed by law)?
Leave your NCR systems running while your store is closed.
Ensure your pumps are configured in RCM to allow Pay-at-Pump transactions only.
To make sure end-of-day processing happens normally, be sure all POS operator shifts are ended and then set the following RCM POS Options:
- 6027 “Automatically reconcile business day in RSM” – use auto reconciliation
- 1428 “24-hour mode” – Yes
- 1429 “Minutes +/- from midnight to open business day in 24hr mode”
- 1494 “24 Hour Mode - Manual Start of Day” – No
- 1463 “Stored Transactions at End of Day” – Allow and Clear
Consider alternate ways of engaging customers
- Review your current procedures for pumping gas (full service, self-service) to decide on the best possible plan. If you are switching from full service to self-service, this can be done via RCM configuration changes.
- Update OPTIC prompts if you want to announce you’re offering forecourt delivery. You can also update your mobile app and online ordering site so you can deliver orders to the forecourt.
- Offer call-in orders. If you don’t have a mobile app or online ordering site, you can still serve your customers outside the stores. Place signage at the pumps telling customers that they can call your store to place to-go orders.
NCR RPOS Customers: Closing stores and NOT selling fuel?
You can choose to leave NCR systems running or shut them down.
- If NCR systems are left running, change pumps to a 24-hour “pump closed” schedule.
- If NCR systems are powered down, make sure the fuel controller is turned off. When there is no communication to the fuel controller, OPTs should display a message like “PUMP OFFLINE”.
NCR StorePoint Customers: Closing stores but still selling fuel (if allowed by law)?
Leave your NCR systems running while your store is closed. Define a Pump Mode in FCC so the only valid (fuel) transaction type is Pay At Pump. Enable the new Mode in one of two ways:
- Timer-based, using the options in FCC to assign Pump Mode by time of day and day of week, or
- Invoke the mode change on/off manually via a function button on the POS Pump GUI / pump control
- Then review fuel pump procedures and safety. Review your current procedures for pumping gas (full service, self-service) to decide on the best possible plan.
If you would like help in configuring StorePoint to switch from full service to self-service, please contact your NCR PS representative for assistance.
NCR StorePoint Customers: Closing stores and NOT selling fuel?
You can choose to leave NCR systems running or shut them down.
If NCR systems are left running, define a Pump Mode in FCC so there are no valid (fuel) transaction types. Then enable the new Mode in one of two ways:
- Timer-based, using the options in FCC to assign Pump Mode by time of day
and day of week, or - Invoke the mode change on/off manually via a function button on the POS Pump GUI / pump control
If NCR systems are being powered down, follow normal procedures for resuming business.
- Typical StorePoint implementations have all relevant applications launched automatically either as a result of the PCs / POSs being powered on or as a result of the first transaction attempted
- When there is no communication to the fuel controller, OPTs should display a message such as “POS Unavailable”
If you’re staying open, here’s how to help keep your staff and customers safe.
Be sure to check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization for the latest guidelines and updates on the coronavirus. Additionally:
- The CDC has posted guidance for workplaces
- Properly clean and sanitize your NCR equipment
- Due to the closing of many department of motor vehicle offices, some states are changing regulations about allowing expired licenses as valid identification. This may impact the way you handle age-restricted items. Please contact your state resources for additional guidance. Changing item attributes in your POS system and changing checkout procedures may be necessary.
In times of uncertainty, NCR is ready to help
NCR is committed to helping retailers of all sizes navigate the many challenges of the COVID-19 outbreak. For more information, please contact NCR.
Our retail solutions experts are in the trenches with our customers, working hard to help provide guidance, solutions and recommendations.
You can find us at NCR.com/retail, have us call you back, call us in the U.S. at 1-800-CALL-NCR or call outside of the U.S. at 1-937-445-1936.
