Using a Second Monitor as a Customer Display
By: POSGuys - 5/25/2016

<h1>Second Monitor as a Customer Display</h1>
<center>
![Traditional Pole Display][1][300][]![Second Monitor with CRE][2][300][]
Traditional Pole Display vs. Second Monitor
</center>

Traditional 2-line monochrome <a href = "https://posguys.com/pole-display_43/">customer displays</a> have become less and less popular each year.  While once considered a mandatory accessory due to the popularity of writing checks, it has become less and less popular as more and more stores stop taking checks and only accept cash or credit/debit cards.  The old pole display which showed item information and order totals assisted in writing checks faster and mistake free.  Now that everything is automated it's cost isn't as warranted as in the past.

What has become popular is using a second monitor to not only show order and item totals but to also do self marketing with digital signage.  Software like [PC America Cash Register Express][3], have the ability to use a second monitor built into the software for FREE and don't require the purchase of a special module or middleware software.  As long as your PC or All-In-One terminal support a second display then you can use a second monitor for digital signage.  In the case of CRE the monitor resolutions that it will use are very limited with the most popular being 1024 x 768 or the resolution of a 15" monitor.  Bigger monitors may have to stretch the resolution or be the wrong screen ratio, so sticking to a 15" monitor is recommended.

<center>
![Mounted Second Monitor][4][300][]
15" Monitor Pole Mounted
</center>

As long as the monitor has VESA mounting holes you can use a large variety of mounting poles, wall mounts, and table top stands to creatively and usefully position the monitor.

<h3>Setting Up CRE to use a Second Display</h3>

After you confirm that Windows can detect and use your second monitor configuring CRE to use the second display is quite simple.

![CRE Settings][5][400][]

In the CRE setup screen (options > setup > setup screen) select the "hardware" tab.  Under "Pole Display Port" set this to "None".  Under "Pole Display Type" set it to "Virtual (New)".  You can now click "Update" and close the settings Window

![Configuration Screen][6][450][]

Next you will need to configure your digital signage ads and details.  To do this go to (options > setup > virtual pole configuration), you will now see a configuration screen where you can select, configure, and remove the ads you wish to display.  You can use any image size you want but PC America recommends 998 x 374 for a perfect fit.  You can also choose your company logo which will be displayed at all times.

Save your settings and you are ready to go.  Your ads will rotate automatically between them, the items being sold will automatically display, and like a traditional pole display your order total will be automatically calculated and displayed on the screen.  Old fashioned convenience along with modern day advertising.

If you have any trouble setting up your software to use your second display we are available to help.  In most cases to get the monitor installed and the software configured should take about an hour depending how readily available your logo and ads are.

[1]: https://az417327.vo.msecnd.net/content/images/cache/ldx9000_gry_800_600.png?Popup=true
  [2]: https://posguys.blob.core.windows.net/content/images/blog/33/IMAG1800_1.jpg
  [3]: https://posguys.com/point-of-sale-software_35/PC-America-Cash-Register-Express_1047/
  [4]: https://posguys.blob.core.windows.net/content/images/blog/33/IMAG1801_1_1.jpg
  [5]: https://posguys.blob.core.windows.net/content/images/blog/33/settings.PNG
  [6]: https://posguys.blob.core.windows.net/content/images/blog/33/config.PNG

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Using a Second Monitor as a Customer Display By: POSGuys - 5/25/2016

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Using a Second Monitor as a Customer Display
By: POSGuys - 5/25/2016