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Choose master stock platform

Only one system can be the stock master at a time. That system becomes the source of truth for stock levels.

You can have different master platforms for stock and products if that is what fits your workflow best.

This guide will help you decide which setup fits your business.

The Simple Rule​

Ask yourself:

Where do we naturally manage stock today?

  • If your team adjusts stock in Epos Now, Epos Now should likely be the stock master.
  • If another system updates WooCommerce stock, WooCommerce may need to be the stock master.

When to Choose Epos Now as the Stock Master​

Most retail and hospitality businesses choose Epos Now.

Choose Epos Now if:

  • You run stock takes in Epos Now.
  • You receive purchase orders in Epos Now.
  • Staff adjust stock using the till or back office.
  • You want all sales reporting (online and in-store) in one place.
  • You prepare online orders from Epos Now (printing or KDS).
  • Your team does not regularly log into WooCommerce admin.

Why This Works Well​

When Epos Now is the master:

  • Online orders sync into Epos Now with full price and tax data.
  • In-store and online revenue can be reported together.
  • Staff work from one operational system.
  • Stock adjustments are handled where your team already operates.
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For most single-store retailers and hospitality businesses, this is the simplest and most natural setup.

When to Choose WooCommerce as the Stock Master​

WooCommerce is typically chosen in more specific setups.

Choose WooCommerce if:

  • An external inventory system updates WooCommerce stock.
    • For example if you use a Warehouse management system or multi-channel inventory management systems (e.g. Linnworks, Veeqo, Channel Grabber etc)
  • WooCommerce acts as your central stock hub.
  • Your operations team manages stock primarily in WooCommerce.
  • You are comfortable with in-store sales appearing as zero-value orders (correct quantity but no price/tax data) in WooCommerce.

Important Considerations​

When WooCommerce is the master:

  • In-store sales sync to WooCommerce as zero-value orders.
  • Financial reporting for in-store sales remains in Epos Now.
  • Customer records do not sync from Epos Now to WooCommerce.
  • Stock syncs to a single Epos Now location.

This setup works well when WooCommerce is already the centre of your inventory operations.

Retail vs Hospitality Guidance​

Retail Businesses​

Retail businesses usually benefit from Epos Now as the stock master because:

  • Physical stock handling happens in-store.
  • Deliveries and adjustments happen in Epos Now.
  • Unified reporting simplifies accounting.

Hospitality Businesses​

Hospitality businesses usually prefer Epos Now as stock master because:

  • Online orders need to appear directly in Epos Now.
  • Automatic order printing or KDS (Kitchen Display Screens) workflows depend on Epos Now.
  • Stock precision is often less critical than operational flow.

Visual Decision Guide​

Quick Comparison​

TopicEpos Now as stock masterWooCommerce as stock master
Where you update stockEpos NowWooCommerce
Order flowWoo orders sync into Epos NowEpos Now orders sync into Woo
Sales DataUnified sales data is available in Epos NowSales data separate on both platforms (EN orders sync into Woo as zero value orders)
Customer syncAvailableNot available
Best fitMost retail/hospitality businessesExternal inventory tools pushing stock into Woo

If You Are Unsure​

You can always start with Epos Now as the stock master.

It is the most common and operationally straightforward setup.

If your workflow changes later, the stock master can be adjusted in your dashboard settings.