How should I manage load-shedding?

Owned by Bryan Alborough
Last updated: Aug 28, 2024
2 min read

Load Shedding causes a lot of damage to sensitive POS computer equipment and can cause damage to harddrives, printers and databases. We recommend the following actions to prevent damage.

 

  1. Shut down all POS machines properly before you lose power. Kitchen, POS and Self-service computers first, SERVER last!

  2. When power comes back, always boot the SERVER first, and the rest after the server is booted up.

  3. If you are scheduled to lose power before closing, ensure any outstanding orders and drivers are paid and posted

  4. Cosoft recommends surge protection and UPS equipment on all computers to prevent damage and allow time to properly shut down.

  5. Keep regular backups of your database on an external drive or cloud storage

Advice on UPS Backup

In the case where the Store has a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply, or battery backup device) installed, once load-shedding starts the UPS will start to beep. Once it starts beeping you will have about 2 - 5 minutes to correctly shut down the computers before the UPS goes flat.

 

Very important:

  • The UPS is not meant to run the store when the power goes off. It only serves to allow time to shut off your devices safely.

  • Do not leave the UPS to go flat and the computers turn off by themselves - this can corrupt the hard drives and cause you to lose data.

  • Print out all the necessary slips or reports and shut down the computers before the UPS goes flat. 

 

Example of a typical UPS device

 

Steps on shutting down the server and tills:

Please note that all Windows computers have the same shutdown process:

 

Step 1: Close all the open programs on each computer by clicking on the "X" in the top right corner of each program.

Step 2: In the bottom left corner of the screen select the "Start" / "Windows" key.

Step 3: Select the "Power" / "Shut Down" key. (Depending on the version of windows).

Step 4: This step only applies to certain versions but the computer will ask you to confirm shut down, please select confirm.

 

Once you have confirmed the computers will shut down, this process needs to be completed on each computer.