To keep tab of a rolling or moving inventory loaded onto a moving transport such
as for example a train, a number of upload/download workstations are dispersed
among the various train stations of the transport network. Each of the workstations
is communicatively connected to a centrally located host server. A portable terminal
in the form of a point of sale (POS) unit is provided to each service agent assigned
to one of the trains that travels a given route along the network. The POS unit
is connected to a workstation at the commissary where inventory is removed for
stocking the train to download data relating to the amount of inventory removed
from the commissary. During the trip, the POS unit is used as a cash register as
well as a recorder of all transactions that take place. At the end of the trip,
the POS unit is removed from the train and connected to an upload/download workstation
located at the destination train station. Data relating to the unused inventory
is uploaded to the workstation and from there to the management of the network.
The data may include information relating to the amount of inventory used, the
amount of sales and the monies and credit card amounts received.
