How to choose a POS system in Trinidad and Tobago

By the 868POS team · 3 October 2026

A point-of-sale system does far more than add up a bill. It holds your stock, your staff records and your sales history, so switching later is painful. Here is what to check before you commit, written for businesses in Trinidad and Tobago.

1. Does it keep working when the internet drops?

Internet outages happen, and a register that stops when the connection does means lost sales and a long line. Ask directly: can I keep ringing up sales offline, and what happens to those sales when the connection comes back? A good system stores sales on the device and syncs them later without you doing anything.

2. What hardware does it need?

Some systems only run on their own terminals, which ties you to one supplier for repairs and replacements. Others run in a web browser on any tablet, phone or computer. Check:

Will it run on a device you already own?
Which receipt printers, barcode scanners and cash drawers does it support?
If you buy a bundle, who fixes the hardware, and who supports the software?

3. How do card payments work?

In-store card payments usually run through a terminal from your bank. For online payments, local businesses commonly use a gateway such as WiPay or PayPal. Make sure the system lets you connect your own payment account, so money goes straight to you rather than through a middleman. Our guide to WiPay and PayPal covers the differences.

4. Does stock control fit how you buy?

Most shops here buy by the case and sell by the unit. If the system can't handle that, your counts will always be off. For a mini mart, supermarket or pharmacy, look for:

Case and unit quantities on the same product
Purchase orders and receiving stock against them
Expiry dates and a way to record damaged goods
Bulk import, so you aren't typing in thousands of items by hand

We go deeper on this in stock control for mini marts and supermarkets.

5. Can you trust what your staff do?

Separate staff logins, permissions by role, and a record of who did what protect both you and your employees. Look for shift open and close with cash counts, so every shortage can be traced to a shift instead of argued about.

6. Does it help you sell online?

Customers increasingly check a business online before visiting, and many want to order ahead. A system that can turn your existing products or menu into a website, with online ordering, saves you paying for and updating a separate site.

7. Who do you call when something goes wrong?

Ask where support is based, how you reach it, and how fast it responds. A local team understands local banks, payment providers and how businesses here operate.

8. What does it really cost?

Compare the total over two or three years, not the first month. Include licence or subscription fees, hardware, payment processing fees, add-ons you will actually need, and what happens to your data if you leave. A free trial on your own device is the best test of all.

If you're VAT-registered, check how the system handles tax on receipts and in reports, and confirm what your accountant needs from it. The Board of Inland Revenue sets the rules, so check with them or your accountant rather than relying on a sales pitch.

A quick checklist

Works offline, and syncs automatically
Runs on hardware you choose
Payments go straight to your own account
Case and unit stock, purchase orders and expiry
Staff logins, roles and shift cash-ups
Website and online ordering included or available
Local support you can actually reach
Clear total cost, and a free trial

868POS was built in Trinidad and Tobago with this list in mind. Try it on your own device before you decide.

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Built in Trinidad and Tobago. Runs on the tablet, phone or computer you already have, and keeps working offline.

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