How to sell goods when the power goes out: a complete guide to working with Torgsoft during blackouts

Power outages are a challenge, but not a verdict for retail. If you have charged devices (laptop, tablet, or smartphone), your store can keep operating, serve customers, and issue receipts.

The Torgsoft team has prepared clear instructions for four main scenarios of working without power and internet.

1. Working with «Torgsoft Hybrid»: your autonomous workstation

This is the most reliable option for stores where outages happen often. «Hybrid» is a special option that lets the cashier’s computer work fully автономно, even if the main server is unavailable.

Who it’s for: businesses that use laptops or computers with UPS units at the checkout.

How it works step by step:

• Normal mode: when power and internet are available, the software works like a standard network version — data is sent to the server instantly.

• Power / internet is lost: the software automatically (or manually) switches to offline mode. At the bottom of the screen you will see the status «Offline mode: Enabled».

• Sales continue: the cashier keeps scanning items and printing receipts. All data is saved to a local database on the laptop.

• Connection is restored: as soon as the internet or the server connection returns, synchronization starts. The software uploads all sales made during the outage to the main accounting database.

What you need to get started:

• The additional option «Torgsoft Hybrid» is activated.

• A local database is configured on the workstation laptop (done once).

2. Selling from a smartphone: maximum mobility

If all computers are off but you have a smartphone with 4G/LTE internet, you don’t have to close the store.

Main requirement: your database (server) must be accessible.

Tip: for this method to work during a blackout, your database should not be on a de-energized office computer, but in the cloud (rented virtual server / VPS). Cloud servers operate 24/7.

Cashier’s action plan:

1. Sign in to the app: open the Torgsoft mobile app on Android or iOS.

2. Create a receipt: go to «Sale». You can add items in two ways:

•    search in the catalog (by name or SKU),

•    scan the barcode with the smartphone camera (works like a data collection terminal).

3. Accept payment (Tap to Pay): if you have an Android smartphone with NFC, you can accept card payments прямо на телефоні, without a bank terminal.

•    In the Torgsoft app, select the software ECR option with Tap to Pay support (integration with PrivatBank or Monobank).

•    The customer taps a card or phone to your smartphone — the payment goes through.

3. Software ECR (pRRO) without power and internet

Many people worry: «Is it legal to sell when there is no connection to the tax authority?» The answer is yes, it is legal.

How the offline mode of the software ECR works:

• Automatic switch: when the internet goes down, the software ECR in «Torgsoft» automatically switches to offline mode. You don’t need to change anything manually.

• Issuing receipts: the software assigns each receipt a special fiscal number from a range that was reserved in advance on the tax server. For the customer, such a receipt is fully valid.

• Time limits:

•    You can work offline for up to 36 consecutive hours.

•    Total per month — no more than 168 hours.

•    Torgsoft tracks this time and will warn you when the limit is close.

• Synchronization: when the internet returns, the software ECR automatically sends the accumulated batch of receipts to the tax authority.

4. How to accept card payment if the terminal can’t connect

This is the most common issue. A bank terminal is usually connected to the software via a cable or network. When the power goes out, that link breaks, and the program «freezes» while trying to reach the terminal.

Instructions: how to complete the sale manually

1. Work with the terminal: if your bank terminal runs on a battery, enter the purchase amount on the terminal manually and let the customer tap/insert the card. Wait for a successful charge and the terminal’s paper receipt.

2. Record it in «Torgsoft»: now you need to register this sale in accounting.

•    Create the sale as usual.

•    Click «Pay».

•    Select the payment method «Cashless» (card).

•    ATTENTION: in the payment form, find the checkbox «Use connection with the bank terminal» and UNCHECK IT.

•    Click «Pay».

3. Result: the software will record the sale and print (or create an electronic) fiscal receipt, but it will not try to send a command to the bank terminal, avoiding a connection error.

Final checklist: how to prepare your business for outages

To keep your business stable in 2026, the Torgsoft team recommends preparing the following infrastructure in advance:

1. Move to the cloud: transfer the server part of «Torgsoft» to a remote server (VPS). This ensures the database is always доступна as long as you have mobile internet.

2. Power resilience at the checkout: provide the cashier with a laptop (it holds a charge longer than a PC) and a мощний power bank for the router/modem.

3. Plan «B» — Hybrid: install the «Torgsoft Hybrid» option at key retail locations, so you don’t depend even on mobile internet quality.

4. Bank terminal: check whether your terminal can operate автономно (without connection to a PC) and whether its battery is charged.

Stay calm and keep working — «Torgsoft» will take care of your accounting.