A point-of-sale (POS) system is the software and hardware your cashier uses to ring up sales. A good one saves time, reduces errors and tells you what is selling. A bad one slows your queue and loses records. Before you buy, ask these twelve questions.
Reliability
1. Does it keep selling when the internet drops?
This is the first question for any shop in Tanzania. Some POS systems stop working without a connection. Others save sales on the device and sync later. Read why offline-first matters.
2. What happens during a power cut?
Does the device have a battery? Are sales saved instantly, or lost if the power goes mid-sale?
3. Where is my data stored, and is it backed up?
Payments
4. Can it record cash, M-Pesa, Mixx by Yas and Airtel Money separately?
You need to know how much came in by each method when you close the day.
5. Does it handle split payments and credit customers?
Tax and receipts
6. How does it meet TRA receipt requirements?
TRA's electronic fiscal system includes physical EFD devices and virtual fiscal devices (VFD) that connect directly to TRA. Ask the vendor exactly how their POS issues compliant receipts for your type of business, and confirm with your accountant or TRA.
Stock and reports
7. Does stock update automatically with every sale?
8. Does it warn you before items run out?
9. Can you see daily totals, best sellers and each cashier's sales?
People
10. Can a new cashier learn it in an afternoon?
11. Is it available in Swahili?
Support
12. Who do you call when something breaks, and how fast do they answer?
A POS problem on a busy Saturday is an emergency. Ask for local support details in writing.
Before you sign
- Ask for a live demo using your own products.
- Check which printers, scanners and cash drawers are supported.
- Ask how you can export your data if you leave.
We are building DigiPOS around exactly these questions: offline sales, cash and mobile money, stock and reports, in English and Swahili. Join the waitlist to hear first when it launches.