Appsthing POS 6.0 – Multi Store Restaurant & Retail Point of Sale, Billing & Stock Manager

ChatGPT said:

Here’s a polished and detailed overview of Appsthing POS 6.0 – Multi-Store Restaurant & Retail POS, Billing & Stock Manager:

🧭 What It Is

A web-based POS system built with Laravel & Vue.js, tailored for multi-location restaurants and retail businesses. It combines billing, inventory, reporting, kitchen/waiter dashboard, and QR-based ordering in one integrated platform. Reddit+15AppsThing+15WeaDown+15

⚡ Key Features

• Multi‑Store & Multi‑User Setup: Manage multiple branches with seamless switching and role-based permissions (admin, cashier, waiter, etc.) Reddit+1Reddit+1
• Restaurant & Retail Modes: Supports table management, dine-in, takeaway, barcode scanning, SKU tracking, and split billing GitHub+1WPSHOP+1
• Kitchen & Waiter Dashboards: Real-time order display with timers, color-coded alerts, push notifications via Pusher integration CodeGoodly+7AppsThing+7WeaDown+7
• Digital QR Menu: Self-service ordering with optional email OTP verification and payment options Reddit+14AppsThing+14WeaDown+14
• Multi‑Printer Support: Auto-print invoices, KOTs, quotations, and register reports via PrintNode or local printers OrderCode+9AppsThing+9CodeGoodly+9
• Inventory & Stock Management: Tracks real-time stock across stores, handles variants/groups/add-ons, sets low-stock alerts WeaDown+3AppsThing+3GitHub+3
• Billing & Payments: Supports multiple payments (cash, cards, digital wallets), billing counter coordination, returns for sales/purchases CodeGoodly+1CodeGoodly+1
• Comprehensive Reporting: Sales, purchase, profit, P&L, payment, due, and summary reports with export capability Reddit+1RIT Market+1
• User Management & Permissions: Role-based access control, staff performance tracking, shift logs GitHub
• Tech Stack & Deployment: Laravel back-end (v8+), Vue front-end, requires PHP 7.4+, MySQL; optional self-host or SaaS-like deployment

🆕 Recent Updates (v6.0 – Jun 2023)

• Migrated to Laravel 8 / Vue 3; dropped PHP <= 7.4 support RIT Market
• Added multiple kitchen displays with timers, grouped KOT items, and custom KOT PDF printing WPSHOP+10RIT Market+10Scriptzhub+10
• Enhanced printer facilities (PrintNode support, separate printer setup) RIT Market+4CodeGoodly+4AppsThing+4
• Enabled digital QR menu timing controls and multi-user billing counters CodingNull+8CodeGoodly+8RIT Market+8
• UI improvements: redesigned sidebar/navigation, default password management, and SMS template field added CodeGoodly+2CodeGoodly+2RIT Market+2

✅ Key Strengths

• All-in-one platform for dine-in, retail, hybrid setups.
• Scalable multi-location support with centralized stock, orders, and reporting.
• Modern, responsive UI with live notifications for kitchen and service staff.
• Self-service QR ordering enhances customer autonomy and safety.

⚠️ Considerations

• Self-hosting required: Demands server setup, PHP/Laravel knowledge, and ongoing maintenance.
• Moderate learning curve: Adapting to stock management, store switching, and user roles may take time.
• GPL or nulled sources are available, but buying from official channels (e.g. CodeCanyon or developer GitHub SaaS version) ensures updates and support. AppsThing+2GitHub+2WeaDown+2

🧭 Ideal For

• Small to mid-sized restaurants or retail businesses operating in multiple locations.
• Businesses seeking to integrate POS, kitchen order management, self-service, and stock control in one system.
• Teams comfortable with Laravel/Vue or willing to hire setup support.

🔧 Getting Started Suggestions

1. Select your deployment model: Self-host Laravel app or trial SaaS/online version.
2. Verify requirements: Use PHP 8.x+, MySQL, and set up server with SSL and PrintNode (if printing).
3. Install & configure: Run Laravel migrations, seed demo data, and configure stores, printers, and user roles.
4. Customize menus and stock: Add product variants, set reorder thresholds, enable QR menu.
5. Pilot test: Train staff on counter and kitchen dashboards, monitor reports, and adjust workflows.
6. Monitor & update: Keep system updated (v6.0+), back up regularly, and refine based on usage insights.

🗣️ Real-World Feedback

From r/ITManagers, users highlight features like multi-store access, kitchen displays, receipt customization, barcode scanning, GST handling, EMI and loyalty support—many of which Appsthing offers. CodingNull+15Reddit+15Reddit+15GitHub
Discussions on the POS market emphasize the importance of integrations (payments, online orders) and robust support—areas to plan for if scaling. Reddit+1Reddit+1

🚀 Need Help With?

• Choosing self-hosting vs SaaS path
• Installing and configuring Laravel + Vue setup
• Setting up printers, QR menus, and kitchen workflows
• Customizing workflows like returns, billing, and reporting
• Integrating payment gateways, SMS alerts, or loyalty modules

Let me know your priorities—I’d love to help you deploy and optimize your POS system!