Point of sale device, e-commerce system, and method and apparatus for order processing and inventory management

A system comprising:

• a point of sale device including a housing;
• a processor supported by the housing;
• a printer coupled to the processor and supported by the housing;
• a display coupled to the processor and supported by the housing;
• a keypad coupled to the processor and supported by the housing;
• and a communications interface coupled to the processor and supported by the housing;
• an e-commerce server selectively coupled to the point of sale device via the communications interface of the point of sale device, the e-commerce server including a memory having stored thereon files defining a retailer web site, the e-commerce server including a modem for coupling the e-commerce server to the Internet, the e-commerce server being configured to run a multi-user multi-tasking operating system, wherein a consumer can access the retailer web site via a client machine and place orders for merchandise;
• and
• an application server configured to receive orders from the e-commerce server and selectively communicate with the point of sale device to transmit orders to the point of sale device for printing by the printer of the point of sale device.

A method comprising:

• providing a point of sale device including a processor;
• a printer coupled to the processor;
• a display coupled to the processor;
• a keypad coupled to the processor;
• and a communications interface coupled to the processor;
• defining a retailer web site using an e-commerce server such that a consumer can access the retailer web site by connecting to the e-commerce server via a client machine and place orders for merchandise;
• and
• receiving orders using an application server, from the e-commerce server and communicating with the point of sale device to transmit orders to the point of sale device.