Main counter or extra counter? Choosing your setup type
👤 For: Store owners
During setup, Simple POS asks for an Installation Type. It sounds technical, but it's really just one question: is this your main billing device, or an extra one?
Think of it like this
Your store has one main device that keeps all of your store's information: your products, customers, bills and so on. Any extra counters connect to that main device, so everyone sees the same, up-to-date information.
┌──────────────────────┐
│ MAIN COUNTER │ ◄─ "Server + Client"
│ (keeps store data) │
└──────────┬───────────┘
│ same Wi‑Fi / network
┌────────────┼────────────┐
▼ ▼ ▼
┌─────────┐ ┌─────────┐ ┌─────────┐
│Counter 2│ │ Tablet │ │ Phone │ ◄─ "Client"
└─────────┘ └─────────┘ └─────────┘
Which one should I pick?
| Choose this… | …if this device is | Can you bill on it? |
|---|---|---|
| Server+Client | Your only billing device, or your main counter. Most stores pick this. | ✅ Yes |
| Client | An extra counter, tablet or phone that works alongside your main counter. | ✅ Yes |
| Server | A dedicated back-room computer that only keeps things running for your counters. Nobody bills on it. (Windows and Linux computers only.) | ❌ No |
💡 Tip: Only have one device? Choose Server+Client and you're done.
Setting up an extra counter (Client)
- Make sure your main counter is switched on and Simple POS is open on it.
- Connect the extra device to the same Wi‑Fi or network as the main counter.
- On the Configuration screen, choose Client.
- In Server Host, type the address of your main counter. You can find it on the main counter under Settings, or ask Invoay Support to help.
- Tap Test. When you see 🟢 Connected, tap Save.
Good to know
- Keep the main counter on during business hours. Extra counters need it to work. If it's switched off, the extra counters show Reconnecting… until it's back.
- Keep all counters on the same app version. If the main counter gets updated, an extra counter may ask you to Update App so they match. Just tap the button.
- The main counter refreshes store data each morning. The first time you open it each day, it downloads the latest products, prices and settings before showing the login screen. This usually takes under a minute.
Something not working?
| What you see | Why it happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Not Found (red) while setting up a Client | The extra device can't find the main counter. | Check that both devices are on the same network, the main counter is on, and the address is typed correctly. Then tap Test again. |
| Reconnecting… on an extra counter | The main counter is off, asleep, or has lost its network connection. | Turn on (or wake) the main counter and check its Wi‑Fi. If it still doesn't connect, tap Configure connection Settings to check the address. |
| "The main terminal server is currently using… please update the app" | This counter and the main counter are on different app versions. | Tap Update App. |