This web-based program is for training grocery store cashiers on the use of industry standard produce codes known as PLUs. Standard produce codes are four digits long in the range of 3000 to 4999. The data for standard items are represented as 4 digits, though in practice the checker may prepend a 6 for cut produce, 8 for genetically modified or a 9 for organic.

Two and three digit house codes are given for some common non-produce items. Examples of two digit house code are salad bar, bagels, single sodas, etc. Examples of three digit house codes include balloons, bag credit, postage stamps, etc.

Some four digit non-standard house codes are also included for popular bulk food items including malt balls, jelly belly, gummy bears, etc. These codes are in the range of 1000 through 1999.

Fourteen non-Standard department codes are included in the range of 00801 through 00812, 700 and 701. In practice the checker may prepend the digits 8-999999 to the five digit codes.

There are six training modules and two reference modules listed below in order of relative challenge for the student arranged from the easiest to most difficult.

The student may opt to train with IFPS industry standard codes only or he may include non-standard house codes used in his store. All data tables are in plain text and can be tailored for each store using any standard text editor.

• 1. PLU SLIDESHOW - The student specifies a selection set of items to view, such as bananas, roots, all fruits, all vegetables, etc. No interaction is required as random pictures of items and their PLUs are displayed sequentially.
• 2. PLU IMAGE MATCH - Pictures of all items in the selection set are presented with possible choices for their corresponding PLUs. A score is recorded for correct matches. The student can repeat the exercise on the selection set until he achieves a score of 100%. This is a multiple choice exercise.
• 3. PLU CYCLE - This module is similar to the PLU IMAGE MATCH except the selection set is items with the same last two digits. All items in the database are presented in 100 groups ranging from PLU xx00 through PLU xx99. In this exercise the student hones his skill in differentiating similar PLUs with the same ending digits. For example: 4601 Japanese Eggplant, 4701 Pasilla Pepper, 4801 Tomatillo or 4901 Italian Parsley. A Score is presented.
• 4. PLU TOUCH SCREEN TRAINER - Pictures of all items in the selection set are presented and the student enters the PLU using an on-screen keypad and the mouse, simulating a touch screen checkout stand. When the student has correctly identified all items in the selection set the exercise is complete. This is not multiple choice and a score is presented.
• 5. PLU KEYBOARD TRAINER - Pictures of the items in the selection set are randomly presented one at a time and the student types the corresponding PLU number using the key pad on the keyboard. This simulates a checkstand with a physical keyboard. A running score is presented and repetition occurs due to randomness.
• 6. IFPS LOOKUP - This is a reference module using the official IFPS database with over 1300 standard produce codes. The student may lookup items using the PLU or description and compare the standard codes to the codes used in his market. Additional information is also presented including regional restrictions and effectivity dates.
• 7. PLU SPEAKING SLIDESHOW - This is an audio version of the PLU SLIDESHOW. Pictures of items are displayed, then the description and PLU are spoken. You may select various male and female voices, in American English or British English, and adjust the speaking speed, voice pitch and volume. This reinforces the learning process by combining a picture, written description, visual PLU number and spoken words.
• 8. PLU Lessons - This function allows the student to create a customized selection of items and save it as a lesson. Choices for the lesson are displayed in the left panel. Clicking in the left panel moves the item to the lesson panel on the right. The lesson can be recalled for practice by selecting it from the selection set menu.