Question 1

How is ShelfLifePro different from other inventory software?

Accepted Answer

Three things: (1) We're obsessed with expiry tracking, not just stock counting. Batch-wise tracking is built into every feature. (2) OCR invoice scanning actually works with supplier invoices, including handwritten ones. (3) Works offline as a PWA - no expensive server needed. Most competitors require internet and don't handle expiry dates well.

Question 2

Can I really be live in 48 hours?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you have your product list ready. Here's the timeline: Sign up (5 minutes) → Upload your Excel product list or we help you scan 2-3 invoices to build it (1-2 hours) → Configure tax rates and print format (30 minutes) → Training session with your team (1 hour) → Start billing. Most delays happen because stores don't have a clean product list ready.

Question 3

Do I need to buy any hardware?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. ShelfLifePro works in any web browser on any device you already have - laptop, tablet, or phone. If you want a dedicated POS setup, a basic Windows laptop/PC (₹20-25k) + thermal printer (₹3-5k) + barcode scanner (₹1.5-2k) is enough. We support USB and Bluetooth barcode scanners. Your phone camera also works as a barcode scanner.

Question 4

I'm currently using other software. How hard is it to migrate?

Accepted Answer

We help with migration for free on all paid plans. Process: (1) Export your product master and current stock from old system to Excel. (2) We clean up the data and import it into ShelfLifePro. (3) We help you run both systems in parallel for a week to build confidence. (4) Switch completely when you're ready. Typical migration takes 2-4 hours of your time spread over a week.

Question 5

How long does the training take?

Accepted Answer

For basic POS operations and expiry tracking, about 1 hour. Most staff can start billing independently after this. For advanced features like OCR scanning, reports, and multi-location management, we provide additional 30-minute sessions as needed. We also have video tutorials in the Help Center.

Question 6

How accurate is the OCR invoice scanning?

Accepted Answer

It correctly reads 80-90% of fields on the first scan for printed invoices. For handwritten invoices, accuracy is lower (60-70%) but it's still faster than typing everything. You review and correct the scanned data before saving. The AI learns from your corrections and gets better over time.

Question 7

What happens if my internet goes down?

Accepted Answer

Your POS keeps working normally. ShelfLifePro is a PWA (Progressive Web App) that caches data locally on your device. You can continue billing, checking stock, and doing everything except generating new reports. When internet returns, all transactions sync automatically.

Question 8

Can I use this for multiple store locations?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Pro Growth plan supports multi-location tracking. Each location can have its own stock, staff, and pricing. You get consolidated reports across all locations plus individual location reports. Stock transfers between locations are tracked.

Question 9

How do the WhatsApp/Email alerts work?

Accepted Answer

You configure alert rules: 'Notify me 30 days before expiry for medicines, 7 days for food items.' We send WhatsApp messages to your registered number with product name, batch number, quantity, and days until expiry. You can also set alerts for low stock and receive daily/weekly summary reports.

Question 10

What is FEFO and how does ShelfLifePro implement it?

Accepted Answer

FEFO (First Expiry, First Out) means selling products that expire soonest first. When you bill an item, ShelfLifePro automatically picks the batch with the earliest expiry date. This is done automatically - your staff doesn't need to think about it. For the shelf, we generate pick lists sorted by expiry so staff know which stock to move forward.

Question 11

Can I print barcode labels?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can print barcode labels with product name, MRP, batch number, and expiry date. We support standard thermal printers (2-inch and 3-inch). Labels can be printed during stock receipt or on-demand for relabeling.

Question 12

Does it integrate with Tally?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We have Tally Prime integration with two-way sync. Export your sales and purchase vouchers as Tally-compatible XML files. Push transactions to Tally and pull ledger balances back into ShelfLifePro. Location-wise exports supported for multi-branch operations. We also provide a Public API for building custom integrations with other systems.

Question 13

Is there really a free trial?

Accepted Answer

Yes, 14 days completely free. No credit card required to start. You get full access to all features of your chosen plan. At the end of 14 days, you can subscribe to continue or your account becomes read-only (you can still export your data).

Question 14

What if I don't like it after the trial?

Accepted Answer

Cancel anytime during the 14-day trial - no charges. If you do subscribe and realize it's not working for you, we offer a 14-day money-back guarantee from your first payment. Just email us and we'll refund you, no questions asked.

Question 15

Are there any setup fees or hidden charges?

Accepted Answer

No setup fees, no onboarding fees, no hidden charges. The monthly price you see is what you pay. Data migration assistance is included free. The only additional cost would be if you need custom development work.

Question 16

Can I change plans later?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can upgrade or downgrade anytime. When you upgrade, you get immediate access to new features and we pro-rate the billing. When you downgrade, the change takes effect at your next billing cycle.

Question 17

Do you offer discounts for annual billing?

Accepted Answer

Yes, annual billing gives you 2 months free (pay for 10, get 12). Contact us after signing up if you'd like to switch to annual billing.

Question 18

Is ShelfLifePro suitable for pharmacies with Schedule H drugs?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We support batch-level tracking required for Schedule H/H1 drugs. You can record the prescriber's name and license number for each sale. Reports are available for drug controller inspections. We also track supplier licenses and expiry.

Question 19

Can I track products that expire in hours (like bakery items)?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can set expiry in hours instead of days. For example, 'Fresh bread - expires in 18 hours from production.' Alerts can be configured for hour-level granularity. This is commonly used for dairy, bakery, and fresh food items.

Question 20

Does it generate GST-compliant invoices?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We generate GST-compliant invoices with HSN codes, tax breakup (CGST/SGST or IGST), and all required fields. GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B reports can be exported. E-way bill integration is available on Pro Growth and above.

Question 21

I'm an FMCG distributor. Can I see what's expiring at my retailers?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with ShelfLifePro Connect (available on Pro Growth and above). Your retailers use ShelfLifePro, and you get a dashboard showing expiry status across all of them. You can proactively arrange returns, suggest discounts, or plan promotions before stock expires.

Question 22

Is my data secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Data is encrypted in transit (SSL/TLS) and at rest. We use secure cloud hosting with automatic daily backups. Access is controlled by user roles and permissions. We don't share your data with anyone.

Question 23

Can I export my data?

Accepted Answer

Yes, anytime. You can export products, stock, sales transactions, customer data, and reports to Excel/CSV. This is available on all plans. Your data belongs to you.

Question 24

What if ShelfLifePro shuts down?

Accepted Answer

We're not going anywhere - we're a profitable, growing company. But even if something happened, you can export all your data anytime. We'd give at least 90 days notice before any shutdown, and help migrate your data elsewhere.

Question 25

Who can access my business data?

Accepted Answer

Only people you authorize. You control user accounts and permissions. Our support team can access your data only with your explicit permission (for troubleshooting). We never share or sell your data.

Frequently Asked Questions

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