How to choose POS software: 10 questions to ask the vendor

1. Is inventory linked to the register?

This is the most important question. If a sale doesn't reduce stock automatically, you end up keeping two sets of records: one in the register and one in a notebook. That's where shortages and “selling items you don't have” begin.

2. How does it handle online sales?

Sooner or later you'll sell online too: through a website, Telegram or Instagram. The register and the online store must work from one stock count — otherwise the last item sold in the store gets sold again on the website.

3. What happens when you add branches?

Even if you have one store today, ask: if a second branch opens, will there be a combined report, transfers of goods between branches and separate stock levels for each?

4. How is staff kept accountable?

Does each cashier work under their own login? Can discounts, price changes and returns be restricted? Do shifts open and close with the cash amount in the drawer? These questions help prevent cash discrepancies.

5. What reports does it offer?

Daily revenue, best-sellers and slow-moving stock, results by salesperson. Can you view reports on your phone? Do you get alerts about important events (for example, in Telegram)?

6. What hardware can be connected?

Barcode scanner, receipt printer, scales, cash drawer. Check with your own eyes during the demo that your devices work — don't rely on the brochure.

7. How does it meet tax requirements?

In Uzbekistan, retail trade is subject to requirements for online cash register equipment and fiscal rules. Ask the vendor exactly how their software works with these requirements, and get the answer in writing.

8. Who migrates your existing data?

Product list, prices, stock levels, customer debts — who will move them over from Excel or other software, and how? This often takes longer than expected.

9. Is there training and support?

Who trains your cashiers? If something goes wrong, who do you contact and how — by phone, on Telegram? If you need a new feature, will they add it, or just tell you “the software doesn't do that”?

10. How is the price calculated?

A one-time payment or a monthly subscription? A separate fee for each register or branch? Are installation, data migration and training included? Ask about hidden costs upfront.

Bonus: what artificial intelligence adds

Modern POS software does more than print receipts. Once sales data builds up, artificial intelligence predicts which products will run out, shows which ones are sitting idle and helps you plan orders. When choosing POS software, ask whether this is available now or will only be added later.

How MasalaHal POS answers these questions

In MasalaHal POS, the register, inventory and online store work in one system, branches are connected through a combined report, and artificial intelligence analyzes sales. We'll give you clear answers about hardware, tax requirements and pricing during the demo — using your own store as the example.

Solutions for your industry: grocery store, pharmacy, clothing store, building materials, bookstore.