What You Need for Retail Automation

For basic inventory accounting by barcodes, a computer with Torgsoft and a barcode scanner are enough. If the store works by item codes, the scanner may not be used. The rest of the equipment is selected for specific operations: printing labels and receipts, weighing, fiscalization, card payments, inventory counting, or customer self-service.

Therefore, the automation kit should be built around the workflow. The cashier needs equipment for sales and payments, the inventory manager needs equipment for labeling and receiving goods, and the warehouse employee needs equipment for inventory counting and product search. Torgsoft stores operations in one accounting database and shows the owner sales, stock balances, product movement, cash register data, and other indicators available in the selected configuration.

1. Torgsoft accounting software

Torgsoft keeps records of goods, sales, warehouse stock, money, customers, and retail business operations. An employee creates receipts of goods, sales, returns, write-offs, and transfers. After the relevant documents are posted, the software changes accounting stock balances and stores the history of product movement.

A product can use a manufacturer barcode or an internal code generated by Torgsoft. The product card and label can store the name, price, manufacturer, item code, and other characteristics needed for a specific type of product. The manager defines user rights and separates access to operations and data.

2. Equipment for daily operations

Barcode scanner

A scanner reads the product code and transfers it to Torgsoft. The cashier uses the scanner during sales, the inventory manager uses it when working with goods, and the warehouse employee uses it during inventory counting and other barcode operations. For a store that works only by item codes, a scanner is not mandatory.

For mobile inventory counting, Torgsoft also supports a scenario with an Android smartphone and a wireless Netum C750 scanner through the “Accounting and Warehouse” app.

Label printer

Torgsoft generates barcodes and creates labels for printing. The inventory manager can print internal labels when the product does not have a suitable manufacturer code or when the store needs its own labeling. An office printer or a specialized label printer can be used for printing. Torgsoft supports, among others, the Zebra TLP 2824 Plus for label printing.

Before buying a printer, you need to check the connection method, driver, and label format that the store will use. The mere presence of a USB or network port does not confirm compatibility of a specific model with the working scenario.

Receipt printer

A receipt printer is needed if the store prints paper sales receipts or fiscal receipts through software RRO. In Torgsoft, each workstation has a printer assigned to it for sending receipts. For software RRO, you can configure work without printing a paper copy if the buyer receives an electronic receipt.

Electronic scales at the checkout

For selling weighed goods, scales can be connected directly to the checkout workstation. After activating the “Integration with scales at the checkout” option, Torgsoft receives the weight from a compatible device and uses it during the sale. Supported models include CAS SW II scales.

This scenario differs from pre-packing. For a store that weighs goods in advance and prints a label with a weight barcode, a separate “Packing and labeling of weighed goods” option and compatible label-printing scales are used.

Data collection terminal

A data collection terminal is needed where an employee counts or scans goods away from the main computer. During inventory counting, the employee scans the goods and enters the actual quantity. Then the data is loaded into the inventory sheet, and Torgsoft compares the actual quantity with the accounting quantity.

For Android devices, Torgsoft provides scenarios with the “Accounting and Warehouse” and Barcode Harvester apps. Before buying a data collection terminal, you need to check the operating system, file exchange method, and supported work scenario.

Price checker

A price checker allows the customer to scan a barcode independently and see product information. In the Torgsoft mobile app, the availability check mode can be configured as a price checker: after scanning, the software shows the price, photo if added, and, with a separate setting, the product quantity.

Customer counter

The “Visitor accounting” option is used to analyze foot traffic. Torgsoft receives data from supported sensors through the GSM Counters service and shows the number of entries and exits by date and time. The owner can compare visitor traffic with sales and evaluate conversion, peak hours, and traffic changes during promotions.

3. Fiscalization and card payment

Software RRO

The “Software RRO” option fiscalizes sales and returns through a software RRO registered for the business. To work, you need to configure the company, software RRO, cashiers, and qualified electronic signature. Torgsoft creates a fiscal receipt, transfers fiscal data to the State Tax Service according to the software RRO operating mode, and supports the offline mode provided for software RRO.

A separate hardware fiscal registrar is not required for this scenario. A paper receipt can be printed on a configured receipt printer, or the business can work with an electronic copy according to the software RRO settings.

Hardware fiscal registrar

A business that uses a hardware RRO connects it through the “Integration with fiscal registrar” option. During a sale, Torgsoft transfers data to the configured fiscal registrar, which creates a fiscal receipt. Compatibility depends on the specific model, driver, and connection method. The list of supported models includes the MG N707TS fiscal registrar.

Bank POS terminal

The POS terminal itself accepts card payment. The “Integration with bank terminal” option connects it with Torgsoft. When the cashier processes a payment or return, the software sends the operation to the terminal and links it to the corresponding bank account.

Integration requires a protocol supported by the terminal and the bank, as well as drivers or libraries provided by the bank. The terminal is configured separately for each workstation. If the integration is not connected, the cashier can process the card payment on the terminal and enter the payment parameters into Torgsoft manually for the fiscal receipt.

4. What kit a store needs

• A small store with barcodes. A computer with Torgsoft and a barcode scanner. A label printer is needed if the store prints its own labels. A receipt printer is needed if the store issues paper receipts.
• A store with weighed goods. Compatible scales are added to the basic workstation. For packing before sale, label-printing scales and the corresponding option are required.
• A warehouse or a large-area store. A data collection terminal or Android device with a scanner helps count goods without moving the main computer around the warehouse.
• A store with fiscalization. The entrepreneur chooses software RRO or hardware RRO according to their scenario. Software RRO setup is required for software RRO. Hardware RRO requires a compatible fiscal registrar and the corresponding integration.
• A store with card payment. A bank POS terminal can work separately. To transfer the amount and execute the operation from Torgsoft, the bank terminal integration option and a compatible protocol are required.
• A store with a high customer flow. A price checker and visitor accounting system are added if the business needs independent price checking and foot traffic analytics.

5. Torgsoft additional options for separate scenarios

Torgsoft Hybrid

Torgsoft Hybrid is intended for Torgsoft-Terminal users who need to sell during a temporary loss of connection with a remote server. After the first sale in online mode, Hybrid can store offline operations and synchronize them with the main database after the connection is restored.

Offline mode has limitations. In particular, creating a return without the internet is unavailable. Before implementation, it is necessary to check whether Hybrid’s capabilities match the operations of the specific checkout and the additional options used by the store.

Other options

Additional options are connected for a specific task: fiscalization, card payment, work with scales, visitor traffic, backup, online sales, delivery, warehouse processes, or customer work. Before purchasing, it is worth determining which operation the business needs, at which workstation it is performed, and whether it requires separate equipment.

6. How to prepare automation for launch

1. Describe work operations. Record who receives goods, who prints labels, who sells, who processes returns, who performs inventory counting, and who checks the results.
2. Define workstations. For each workstation, separately define the software, scanner, printer, scales, software RRO, fiscal registrar, or bank POS terminal.
3. Check equipment compatibility. For scales, fiscal registrars, bank terminals, and specialized devices, the specific model, driver, protocol, and connection method matter.
4. Check the scenario in the demo version. The Torgsoft demo version works for 30 days. You can enter your products, configure typical operations, and check the checkout workflow. The data is stored on the computer, and after purchasing a license, you can continue working with the already entered information.
5. Configure rights and data backup. The administrator defines employee access to operations. Regular backup should be organized for the database; if needed, Torgsoft has a separate cloud archive option.
6. Prepare employees. Before the live launch, the cashier, inventory manager, and warehouse employee should practice their typical operations. The knowledge base and video lessons are available for self-study. Technical support provides setup assistance under the current service maintenance terms.

The automation kit can be implemented step by step. First, the daily store operations are defined and the basic workstation is launched. Then equipment and options are connected for specific tasks: printing, weighing, fiscalization, card payment, inventory counting, visitor traffic, or work without stable internet.