Web-based point-of sale system

[0041] Now with reference to the Drawing, FIG. 1 represents the overall equipment and connectivity of a web-based point of sale system (WPOS) of the present invention. Here is shown a multiple-store WPOS sales and management system 10, in which there is a server 12 located in each store location. At each location, identified here as Store 1 and Store 2, there is an in-store network, i.e., LAN 14 connected with the associated server 12, and the server is also connected via an Internet connection 16 to the Internet 18, here shown graphically as a cloud. Within each store location there is one or more than one point-of-sale station or POS station 20, which comprises a web-enabled computer terminal 22. That is, each computer 22 can be a standard small computer, i.e., laptop or desktop, programmed with a standard software package, including a standard operating system and web browser, such as MS Explorer or Netscape Navigator. Each computer has associated with it a number of POS devices or