Offline or Cloud: choosing your edition

MediPOS comes in two editions with the same billing, stock, purchasing, udhaar and reports. The Offline edition runs on your own shop computer and keeps billing without internet. The Cloud edition runs online, opens from any device and can run several branches. This guide helps a pharmacy owner decide between offline pharmacy software and a cloud pharmacy POS before buying.

What is the same in both editions

Whichever edition you choose, the counter works the same way. The POS sells by batch with first-expiry-first-out, distributor bills handle bonus schemes, customers buy on udhaar, and reports export to Excel. Roles and permissions work the same, and so do the plans: each plan includes the same modules in both editions. The pricing page has a Cloud and an Offline tab that compare the plans side by side.

The differences at a glance

The Offline edition in detail

The Offline edition suits one shop with one or a few counters. The main PC holds the database. Counter PCs on the same shop network connect to it, so the main PC must be switched on while the counters bill.

• Internet outages do not stop billing. If the PTCL line is down or the router is off during load-shedding, sales, purchases, stock and udhaar carry on as normal. With a UPS on the main PC and the printer, you can keep billing through the outage.
• The licence checks in when it can. Whenever the PC is online, MediPOS checks its licence with the MediPOS servers, about every six hours. It keeps working for up to 30 days without a check. From day 20 it shows a reminder to connect. After 30 days it is restricted until it connects again: you can view, print and collect payments, but not make new sales. See Licence activation and working without internet.
• Updates download by themselves when the PC is online, and they install safely with a backup first.
• Backups are on your PC. MediPOS backs up the database every night and keeps 14 daily and 12 monthly copies. Because the data never leaves the shop, copy a backup to a USB drive regularly in case the computer itself fails.
• Each Windows PC uses one licensed PC seat from your plan: the main PC and every counter PC.

The Cloud edition in detail

The Cloud edition suits owners who want to check the business from home, or who run more than one branch.

• Any device. Sign in from the shop computer, a laptop at home or a phone. There is no server PC to look after.
• Several branches under one account, with stock transfers between branches and All branches reports. See Branches (Cloud edition).
• It needs a working connection. If the internet drops in the middle of a bill, the POS says Connection problem — press F12 again. The sale will not be duplicated. Keep a second connection ready at the counter, such as a mobile hotspot, for outages.
• Backups are done for you. You do not manage backup files.
• Printing. After each sale a small receipt window opens, sized for 58 mm or 80 mm paper, and you print it on your thermal printer. On a PC where the MediPOS Windows service is installed, the POS sends the receipt straight to the printer with no window.

How to decide

Choose Offline if most of these are true:

• you have one shop and no plans for a second branch soon;
• the internet at the shop is unreliable, for example a small-town medical store where the line goes down every week;
• you want the data to stay on your own computer;
• you have one to a few counters in the same building.

Choose Cloud if most of these are true:

• you have, or plan to open, more than one branch;
• you want to see today's sales from home or while travelling;
• the shop has a reliable connection with a mobile backup;
• you would rather not look after a server PC and its backups.

Two examples: Madina Medical Store in Sahiwal, with one counter and a PTCL line that drops often, is a good fit for Offline. An owner in Lahore with a Gulberg shop and a Model Town branch needs Cloud, because the Offline edition runs one branch only.

Moving to the other edition later

• Before you buy, the edition you picked at sign-up can still be changed. Ask the MediPOS team through Account → Support.
• Outgrowing one shop. An Offline pharmacy cannot add a second branch. MediPOS shows The Offline edition runs one branch. Several branches need the Cloud edition — contact us to move to it. Contact support to plan the move.
• Plans are sold per edition. The Plan & billing screen shows plans and prices for your current edition only, so change the edition before you ask for an invoice.

Rules and tips

• The Offline edition has exactly one branch, whatever the plan says. Stock transfers on Offline move stock only between that branch's Main Store and Quarantine.
• When an Offline PC is replaced, free its seat under Plan & billing → Licensed PCs with Remove.
• Windows 7 and 32-bit Windows are not supported by the Offline edition.
• Both editions start with the same free trial.

Common questions

Can the Offline edition keep billing during load-shedding?

Yes, as long as the main PC, the counter PCs and the network switch have power. The internet is not needed for billing. A UPS on the main PC is the best protection.

Can I check my Offline shop's sales from home?

No. The Offline edition keeps its data on the shop PC. If seeing sales from anywhere matters to you, choose Cloud.

Do I need a server computer for the Cloud edition?

No. MediPOS runs the servers. You only need a device with a browser and an internet connection at each counter.

Can I run two shops on one Offline licence?

No. The Offline edition is one shop with its own counters. Two shops need the Cloud edition with a plan that includes several branches.

Related guides

• Getting started with MediPOS
• Branches (Cloud edition)
• Installing MediPOS Offline
• Licence activation and working without internet