1. Is it legally compliant?
In France, if you take payments from consumers and are subject to VAT, your software must meet data inalterability, security, retention and archiving requirements. Ask the publisher for its certificate or individual attestation in your name. Without proof, the fine is €7,500 per software. Everything is explained in our guide Cash register software: what French law says in 2026, and the difference between certification and attestation in NF525 or publisher’s certificate.
2. Does it run on the hardware you have?
Some POS systems require dedicated hardware, others run on a tablet, computer or phone. Also check compatibility with your payment terminal, and ask yourself whether you really need a printer: since 2023, receipts are no longer printed automatically in France.
3. Is it fast at the counter?
On a busy day, every tap counts. During the demo, time a typical sale: how many taps to add three items, apply a discount and take payment by card and cash? Check whether items are easy to find and whether the change to give is displayed.
4. Does it link sales to the schedule?
For a leisure venue that sells time slots, this is the decisive criterion. The sale must book the slot, capacity must be respected, and bookings made on your website must arrive in the same schedule. Two separate tools open the door to double bookings.
5. Does it handle online payment and deposits?
Ask where the money goes: straight to your account, or to the publisher first? What fees are added? And how is the amount already paid online deducted when the customer arrives? Our guide on online booking covers these points.
6. Does it help bring customers back?
Customer records, a loyalty programme, gift cards, session passes, promo codes: these are simple levers to increase visit frequency. For emails, the software must record the customer’s consent, in line with the GDPR.
7. Does it organise the team too?
Different permissions by profile, staff scheduling, leave, access from the phone: if your POS doesn’t do this, you’ll need another tool, and information to copy across. Our guide Staff scheduling: the rules to follow sets out the French legal framework.
8. Are its statistics easy to read?
Revenue, number of tickets, average basket, sales by category and best-selling products, over the period of your choice. If you have to export to a spreadsheet to understand your figures, that’s a bad sign.
9. What happens to your data?
Where is it stored, is it backed up, can you export it? And if you change software one day, do you get your cash register archives back, which you must keep? Also check that the publisher doesn’t sell your data.
10. What is the real price?
Add up the subscription or licence, hardware, optional modules, set-up fees, payment commissions and commitment period. Compare offers over three years rather than on the monthly price shown.
Questions to ask during the demo
- Can you provide the certificate or attestation in my name?
- Can I use my current tablet or computer?
- How many taps for a typical sale?
- Do online bookings arrive in the same schedule as the POS?
- Where does money paid online go, and with what fees?
- How do my employees access their schedule?
- How do I export my data if I leave?
- What is the total cost over three years?
And with Lago?
Lago runs on tablets, computers and phones, links every sale to the schedule, takes bookings and online payments through your own Stripe account, and also organises the team and safety checks. The publisher’s certificate is provided on the official French template. Request a demo and ask us these ten questions.
Sources (in French): Legifiscal, WebLex, French Senate, written question no. 06482, Institut national de la consommation. General information article.