Buying guide
How to choose pos software in Bangladesh
Offline mode is not optional
Load-shedding and patchy mobile data are part of running a shop. A good POS keeps selling when the connection drops, stores sales on the device, and syncs automatically when the internet returns, without duplicate invoices. Ask the vendor to demonstrate it: disconnect the Wi-Fi during a sale, finish the sale, print the receipt, then reconnect.
If you run several counters, ask what happens when two devices are offline at the same time and both sell the last item in stock.
Hardware you already have, or can buy locally
Check which thermal receipt printers, barcode scanners, cash drawers and weighing scales the software supports, and whether those devices are easy to buy and repair in Bangladesh. Some systems run in a browser on any computer; others need a specific Android tablet or a Windows PC. Ask for the exact models other customers use.
Taking payments the way customers pay
Customers pay with cash, cards, bKash, Nagad and sometimes Rocket. Even when the payment happens on the customer's phone, the POS should let the cashier record which method was used and the transaction ID, so your end-of-day report matches your wallet and bank statements.
Ask whether the system supports split payments, due (baki) sales for regular customers, and returns or exchanges without manual corrections.
Receipts, VAT and fiscal devices
VAT-registered businesses usually need a tax invoice with their BIN, often in the Mushak-6.3 format. NBR has also required some retailers to use electronic fiscal devices (EFD) or sales data controllers (SDC). If that applies to you, ask whether the POS integrates with the device you were given, and get it in writing.
Receipts should print correctly in Bangla if your customers read Bangla, and show prices in taka.
Stock, outlets and the owner's view
Most POS systems include basic stock. Check whether yours handles what you sell: variants such as size and colour, batch and expiry dates for medicine and food, recipes and modifiers for restaurants, or loose items sold by weight.
If you have more than one outlet, the owner should see sales, stock and cash for each outlet from one dashboard, ideally on a phone, and be able to transfer stock between outlets.
- Daily sales and payment-method summary
- Low-stock alerts
- Cashier-wise sales and voids
- Profit by product, not just revenue
Price, support and leaving
Compare the yearly cost per outlet and per counter, including setup, training and hardware. A vendor with a support number in Bangladesh and evening hours matches retail working hours better than email-only support. Finally, ask whether you can export your product list, customers and sales history if you change systems later.
Questions to ask on the demo
A short demo with a sales person can hide a lot. Bring your own product list and a real busy-hour scenario, and ask these questions directly:
- What happens to a sale in progress if the power goes off?
- How long does it take to add a new product with a barcode?
- Can a cashier give a discount or void a sale without a manager's approval?
- Which reports does the owner get every night, and on which device?
- Who installs the system, trains staff, and how quickly does someone respond on a Friday evening?
Mistakes we see shop owners make
Buying hardware before choosing software is a common and expensive mistake, because not every printer or scanner works with every system. Another is entering stock carelessly on day one: if opening stock is wrong, the POS will report false shortages for months. Plan a proper stock count before go-live, and keep your old method running for a few days until totals match.