Name: SciPOS
Author: Sciometa

Question 1

What is SciPOS?

Accepted Answer

SciPOS is a comprehensive, cloud-based point-of-sale system designed specifically for restaurants, cafes, bars, and hospitality businesses. It offers a complete suite of tools including POS, Kitchen Display System, Customer Display, and more—with core features available completely free.

Question 2

How can I start using SciPOS?

Accepted Answer

Getting started is simple: Download SciPOS from the Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS), create your free account, and you can start taking orders within minutes. No credit card required, no installation fees, and no hardware purchase necessary—just use your existing tablets or smartphones.

Question 3

Do I need to sign a contract or commit to a long-term plan?

Accepted Answer

No contracts or long-term commitments required. The core system is free forever, and premium features are available on flexible monthly subscriptions that you can cancel anytime.

Question 4

How long does it take to set up SciPOS?

Accepted Answer

Most restaurants are up and running within minutes. Simply download the app, create your account, add your menu items, and you are ready to accept orders. Our intuitive interface means minimal training is required for staff.

Question 5

Can I try SciPOS before committing?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! The core POS system, Kitchen Display System (KDS), Customer Display System (CDS), Server Display System (SDS), Reservation, Loyalty Program, and Recipe Manager are completely free to use with no trial period. You can use these essential tools indefinitely at no cost.

Question 6

Which products are included for free?

Accepted Answer

Seven products are completely free: Point of Sale (POS), Kitchen Display System (KDS), Customer Display System (CDS), Server Display System (SDS), Reservation, Loyalty Program (up to 100 members), and Recipe Manager (500 MB storage). These provide everything you need for basic restaurant operations.

Question 7

What premium products are available?

Accepted Answer

Premium subscription products include: Kiosk Self-Order System (KSO) for self-service kiosk ordering, Table Order System (TOS) for tableside tablet ordering, Self Station for complete self-checkout, Order Status Display (OSD) for customer-facing order tracking, Receipt Scanner for expense management, Shift Manager for staff scheduling, and Accountant Connect for financial integration.

Question 8

What is the Kitchen Display System (KDS)?

Accepted Answer

KDS replaces paper tickets in your kitchen with a digital display showing incoming orders in real-time. Chefs can mark items as cooking, ready, or served with a single tap. It supports multiple display screens for different kitchen stations and priority management.

Question 9

What is the Kiosk Self-Order System (KSO)?

Accepted Answer

KSO is a self-service kiosk system that lets customers place orders and pay independently. It reduces staffing needs, speeds up service during peak hours, and increases average order value through visual upselling. Perfect for cafes, fast food, and food courts. Available in Standard and Premium plans.

Question 10

What is the Table Order System (TOS)?

Accepted Answer

TOS enables tableside ordering via tablets. Servers can take orders directly at the table, which are instantly sent to the kitchen. It supports menu browsing, modifiers, special requests, and integrates seamlessly with the kitchen display.

Question 11

What is Self Station?

Accepted Answer

Self Station is a complete self-checkout solution that allows customers to browse the menu, place orders, split bills, and pay—all without staff assistance. It is ideal for full-service restaurants looking to speed up checkout and reduce wait times.

Question 12

What is the Order Status Display (OSD)?

Accepted Answer

OSD is a customer-facing display that shows order status in real-time—whether orders are "Now Cooking" or "Ready for Pickup." Customers can see their order number and estimated wait time. It can be displayed on any TV, monitor, or even projected onto a wall.

Question 13

What is the Server Display System (SDS)?

Accepted Answer

SDS shows servers which orders are ready to be served. When the kitchen marks an order as complete, it instantly appears on the server display with table number and dish details. This eliminates the need for kitchen staff to call out orders.

Question 14

What is the Reservation system?

Accepted Answer

The Reservation system lets you manage online table bookings with a calendar view, table assignment, and capacity management. It is free to use. Cancellation Fee Collection is available as an add-on in Basic and Premium plans.

Question 15

What is the Recipe Manager?

Accepted Answer

Recipe Manager lets you create and manage recipes with ingredients, step-by-step instructions, cost calculations, and nutritional information. It is free with 500 MB storage. Paid plans offer more storage: 2 GB (Basic), 10 GB per store (Standard), 25 GB per store (Premium).

Question 16

What is the Loyalty Program?

Accepted Answer

The built-in Loyalty Program lets you register customers, accumulate points, and offer rewards to encourage repeat visits. The free tier supports up to 100 members. All paid tiers (Basic, Standard, Premium) offer unlimited members.

Question 17

What is the Shift Manager?

Accepted Answer

Shift Manager is a staff scheduling tool that lets you create shift schedules, track clock-in and clock-out times, manage timesheets, and handle approvals. It is available in Standard (5 users included) and Premium (10 users included) plans.

Question 18

What is QR Menu?

Accepted Answer

QR Menu lets you generate QR codes that customers can scan at their table to view your digital menu on their own phone. No app installation is required. The menu is always up-to-date with your current items and prices. Available in Basic and Premium plans.

Question 19

What is the Receipt Scanner?

Accepted Answer

Receipt Scanner lets you scan and digitize paper receipts for expense management. It automatically extracts data from receipts and helps you organize and categorize business expenses. Available in Basic and Premium plans.

Question 20

What is Accountant Connect?

Accepted Answer

Accountant Connect integrates SciPOS with accounting software like Netvisor (Finland) and ProCountor. It automates sales data synchronization and streamlines financial reporting and bookkeeping. Available in Basic and Premium plans.

Question 21

What subscription plans are available?

Accepted Answer

SciPOS offers 4 tiers: Free (POS, KDS, CDS, SDS, Reservation, Loyalty, Recipe Manager — no cost, no credit card), Basic (adds QR Menu, Receipt Scanner, Accountant Connect, Cancellation Fee Collection — per organization), Standard (adds KSO, TOS, OSD, Shift Manager — per store, most popular), and Premium (all features including Self Station — per store). Visit pos.sciometa.com/pricing for current prices.

Question 22

What is the difference between Standard and Premium plans?

Accepted Answer

Standard includes KSO, TOS, OSD, and Shift Manager (5 users), but does not include QR Menu, Receipt Scanner, Accountant Connect, or Cancellation Fee Collection. Premium includes ALL features: everything in Standard plus Self Station, QR Menu, Receipt Scanner, Accountant Connect, Cancellation Fee Collection, and Shift Manager with 10 users. Both are billed per store.

Question 23

Is SciPOS really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes! The core system including POS, Kitchen Display (KDS), Customer Display (CDS), Server Display (SDS), Reservation, Loyalty Program (up to 100 members), and Recipe Manager (500 MB) is completely free with no hidden fees, no credit card required, and no time limits. Premium features are available as optional add-ons.

Question 24

How much can I save compared to traditional POS systems?

Accepted Answer

Traditional POS terminals cost €2,000-€5,000 upfront plus €50-€150/month in lease fees. With SciPOS, you can use your own tablets (€200-€500 one-time purchase) and get the core software free. Most restaurants save thousands of euros in their first year alone.

Question 25

How does subscription billing work?

Accepted Answer

Premium features are billed monthly or yearly based on your preference. Billing can be per-store or per-user depending on the product. All prices are in Euro (€), and you can cancel anytime without penalties.

Question 26

Are there any hidden fees or transaction costs?

Accepted Answer

No hidden fees from SciPOS. You only pay for premium features you choose to use. Payment processing fees are charged by your payment terminal provider (e.g., SumUp, Nets), not by SciPOS.

Question 27

Can I upgrade or downgrade my subscription anytime?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you have full flexibility. You can add or remove premium features at any time, and changes take effect immediately. There are no lock-in periods or cancellation fees.

Question 28

What devices does SciPOS work on?

Accepted Answer

SciPOS works on iPads (iOS), Android tablets, Android smartphones, and any modern web browser. You can mix and match devices—use an iPad for POS and Android tablets for kitchen display, for example.

Question 29

Do I need to buy special POS hardware?

Accepted Answer

No! This is one of our biggest advantages. SciPOS works on standard consumer tablets and smartphones. You can purchase devices from any electronics store or use tablets you already own. No proprietary hardware required.

Question 30

Which payment terminals are supported?

Accepted Answer

SciPOS integrates with SumUp Solo and Nets terminals for card payments. These are portable, affordable payment devices that connect wirelessly to your POS device.

Question 31

Which receipt printers are compatible?

Accepted Answer

SciPOS supports EPSON TM series, Star Micronics, and any ESC/POS compatible thermal receipt printer. Both Bluetooth and WiFi printers are supported.

Question 32

Can I use a TV or projector for displays?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Kitchen Display (KDS), Order Status Display (OSD), and Server Display (SDS) can be shown on any TV, monitor, or projector. Simply connect via HDMI or use a dedicated tablet as a display.

Question 33

What are the minimum device requirements?

Accepted Answer

For optimal performance, we recommend tablets with at least 2GB RAM and a recent operating system (iOS 14+ or Android 10+). Any screen size works, but 10-inch tablets are popular for POS use.

Question 34

How do I add menu items?

Accepted Answer

Menu items can be added directly in the app or through the web dashboard. You can create categories, set prices, add modifiers (like size or toppings), upload images, and organize items however suits your workflow.

Question 35

Can I customize tax rates?

Accepted Answer

Yes, tax rates are fully customizable. You can set different tax rates for different product categories (e.g., food vs. alcohol) and the system will automatically calculate taxes on each order.

Question 36

How do I set up staff accounts and permissions?

Accepted Answer

Create staff accounts in the Team Management section. You can assign roles (manager, cashier, server, kitchen) with different permission levels. Track who processes which orders and control access to sensitive features like refunds and reports.

Question 37

Can I customize receipts?

Accepted Answer

Yes, receipts are fully customizable. You can add your logo, business details, custom messages, and choose which information to display. Digital QR code receipts are also available.

Question 38

How do I configure different dining options?

Accepted Answer

SciPOS supports dine-in, takeout, and delivery options out of the box. You can enable or disable any option, set different tax rates or prices per option, and configure specific workflows for each.

Question 39

How can I refund an order?

Accepted Answer

Navigate to the Orders page in your dashboard, find the order you want to refund, and tap the refund button. You can process full or partial refunds, and the system maintains a complete audit trail.

Question 40

How do I split a bill between customers?

Accepted Answer

SciPOS makes bill splitting easy. You can split by item (each person pays for their dishes), split evenly (divide total equally), or split by custom amounts. Self Station even lets customers split bills themselves.

Question 41

Can customers add to their order after the initial order?

Accepted Answer

Yes, SciPOS fully supports additional orders per table. When customers want to add drinks or desserts, simply add items to their existing table session. Everything appears on one combined bill at checkout.

Question 42

How do order modifiers and customizations work?

Accepted Answer

You can create modifiers for any menu item—like cooking temperature for steaks, milk alternatives for coffee, or extra toppings. Modifiers can be free or have additional charges, and they appear clearly on kitchen tickets.

Question 43

How does order tracking work between devices?

Accepted Answer

Orders sync instantly across all connected devices. When an order is placed at POS, it appears immediately on KDS. When kitchen marks it ready, servers see it on SDS, and customers see it on OSD. No manual updates needed.

Question 44

Can I view sales reports and analytics?

Accepted Answer

Yes, SciPOS includes comprehensive analytics: sales by period, best-selling items, peak hours analysis, revenue trends, and performance metrics. Reports can be viewed in-app or exported to spreadsheets.

Question 45

What languages does SciPOS support?

Accepted Answer

SciPOS supports 12+ languages including English, Finnish, Swedish, German, French, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, and more. Both staff interface and customer-facing displays can be set to different languages.

Question 46

Can customers see menus in their preferred language?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Self-service kiosks (KSO), Self Station, and Table Order System (TOS) can display menus in multiple languages. Customers can switch languages with a single tap.

Question 47

Can receipts be printed in different languages?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can configure receipt language per device or per order type. This is especially useful for tourist areas where customers may prefer receipts in their native language.

Question 48

Does SciPOS work offline?

Accepted Answer

Yes! SciPOS continues to work even without internet connection. Orders are processed locally and automatically sync to the cloud when connection is restored. You never lose orders or transactions.

Question 49

Is my data backed up?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all data is automatically backed up to secure cloud servers. Your menu, orders, customer data, and reports are safely stored with regular backups. You can access your data from any device.

Question 50

How secure is my business data?

Accepted Answer

SciPOS uses end-to-end encryption, secure cloud storage, and follows GDPR requirements. We employ token-based access control, session management, and maintain complete audit logs of all system activities.

Question 51

What happens if a device crashes during service?

Accepted Answer

Since data syncs in real-time to the cloud, you can simply log in from another device and continue where you left off. All orders and data are preserved. This is one advantage of cloud-based systems.

Question 52

Can I connect SciPOS to my accounting software?

Accepted Answer

Yes, through Accountant Connect you can integrate with accounting systems. Sales data, transactions, and financial reports can be exported or synced automatically with your accounting software.

Question 53

Does SciPOS support multiple locations?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Multi-location management is built-in. You can manage multiple restaurants from a single dashboard, share menus across locations, view consolidated reports, and configure location-specific settings.

Question 54

Can I integrate with delivery platforms?

Accepted Answer

Integration capabilities with delivery platforms are available depending on your market. Contact our team for details on available integrations in your region.

Question 55

How do payment integrations work?

Accepted Answer

SciPOS connects to payment terminals (SumUp, Nets) wirelessly. When processing a card payment, the amount is sent to the terminal automatically. Once payment completes, the order is marked as paid in SciPOS.

Question 56

What data does SciPOS collect about my business?

Accepted Answer

SciPOS collects data necessary to provide our services, including: account information (email, name, phone), business details (organization name, addresses, tax IDs), transaction and order data, inventory information, and technical data (device IDs, IP addresses). We never sell your personal data and only share it when necessary to operate our services. For full details, please review our Privacy Policy.

Question 57

Is SciPOS GDPR compliant?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Sciometa is fully committed to GDPR compliance. We store and process most customer data within the European Union. We implement appropriate security measures including encryption (TLS/HTTPS), access control, and secure data storage. You have rights under GDPR including access, correction, deletion, restriction, portability, and objection to processing.

Question 58

Who owns the data I enter into SciPOS?

Accepted Answer

You retain ownership of your business data that you input into our Services. You grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, store, process, and analyze such data solely for the purpose of providing, maintaining, improving, and securing the Service.

Question 59

What happens to my data if I cancel my account?

Accepted Answer

When you close your account, we may still retain some information and transaction records as required by law, to respond to government requests, handle disputes, or fulfill other lawful business purposes. Once we no longer have a valid reason to keep your data, we permanently delete it or anonymize it.

Question 60

Is Sciometa liable for damages or losses?

Accepted Answer

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Sciometa shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including loss of profits, data, or business opportunities. Our total liability is capped at the fees you paid during the 12 months prior to the claim. However, we do not exclude liability for damages resulting from willful misconduct or gross negligence where prohibited by law.

Question 61

Am I responsible for backing up my data?

Accepted Answer

Yes. While we implement measures to protect and back up data, you are responsible for maintaining independent backups of your business data. Sciometa shall not be liable for any loss or corruption of data except as required by applicable law.

Question 62

What if the service goes down during busy hours?

Accepted Answer

We strive for high availability but do not guarantee uninterrupted access. Services may be unavailable due to maintenance, updates, or circumstances beyond our control. SciPOS has offline capabilities to help you continue operations during connectivity issues. Support is provided on a reasonable-efforts basis without guaranteed response times unless specified in a separate service level agreement.

Question 63

Does Sciometa cover losses from force majeure events?

Accepted Answer

No. Sciometa is not liable for failures or delays caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including natural disasters, power outages, internet or telecommunications failures, governmental actions, labor disputes, pandemics, or acts of war.

Question 64

Can Sciometa change pricing or terms?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We may change pricing with 30 days advance notice. If you disagree with price changes, you may cancel before they take effect. We may also update Terms of Use to reflect changes in our services, legal requirements, or business practices. Continued use after updates constitutes acceptance of new terms.

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