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Damage Cost Recovery System for Lottery Terminals

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Automated Flagging & Notification Solution

Company: NCR Canada Ltd.

Lottery terminals frequently sustain preventable damage beyond normal wear and tear, such as spills, impacts, or rough handling during transport and use. These incidents often led to repair costs being written off as unrecoverable losses.

To recover these expenses, I developed and implemented a custom Windows desktop application that integrated into the existing repair intake workflow. The tool automatically flagged high-risk or previously damaged units at the point of receipt, enabling cost recovery through targeted documentation and reimbursement processes.

Technical Implementation

  • Platform & Rapid Development — Built as a Windows desktop application using Visual Basic (VB6 or VB.NET) for fast prototyping and deployment, allowing quick rollout to meet business needs.
  • Hardware Integration — Intercepted input from a standard serial (RS-232) barcode scanner used to read the terminal's unique serial number during intake.
  • Database Backend — Connected to a Microsoft Access database that maintained detailed records of each terminal, including a flagged list of units with histories of abuse, negligence, or repeated damage.
  • Real-Time Decision Logic — Upon scanning the serial number:
    • The application performed an instant lookup in the Access database.
    • If the terminal matched a flagged record, it triggered a prominent, full-screen visual alert (large, high-contrast message) directing receiving/shipping staff to apply special handling procedures, additional inspection, and dedicated cost-recovery paperwork.
  • Non-Intrusive Design — The interception and alert occurred seamlessly in the normal workflow; undamaged units proceeded without interruption.

Business Impact

This solution transformed previously unavoidable repair write-offs into recoverable revenue by enforcing accountability at the earliest stage of the repair process. It enabled NCR Canada to pursue reimbursement from responsible parties (e.g., retailers, installers, or transporters) for preventable damage, directly improving profitability and reducing financial leakage.

The project showcased strong skills in:

  • Rapid application development using Visual Basic for quick time-to-value
  • Hardware-software integration (serial barcode scanner input capture)
  • Database-driven business logic with Microsoft Access
  • User-centered design for clear, non-technical alerts in a high-volume repair environment
  • Delivering measurable cost-saving outcomes through process automation and intelligent flagging