FAQ
AftrBase FAQ: POS, WhatsApp receipts and DPDP.
Everything you need to know before getting started.
Reviewed · Updated 19 October 2026
Do I need to replace my existing POS?
No. AftrBase is POS-agnostic. You can start with Smart Receipts alone, and it plugs into whatever system you already run. When you're ready, our full POS with built-in inventory and KOT replaces it seamlessly.
Is this a marketing tool or a transactional tool?
It's both. The receipt is transactional, not marketing, which is why it lands where email and push notifications don't. The marketing (loyalty, offers, surveys) lives inside the receipt, not as a separate message.
What happens if the internet goes down?
AftrBase runs offline. Transactions queue locally and sync when the connection returns. Your register never stops. This is especially critical for F&B and hospitality environments.
Is my customer data secure?
Yes. We're DPDP Act (India) and GDPR compliant. Data is encrypted, consent is mandatory, and you own your customer data (not us). Every purchase writes into your system, not a shared platform.
How long does setup take?
Most brands are live within 48 hours. We handle onboarding and provide training for your team. The receipt branding, WhatsApp Business API setup, and POS integration are all handled by us.
Can I use this for multiple stores?
Yes. The Enterprise plan supports multi-location with centralized control and store-level customization. Customer profiles are unified across all properties, so a customer at Store A is recognized at Store B.
Smart receipts, WhatsApp & GST
What is a smart receipt?
A smart receipt is an interactive digital invoice sent to the customer on WhatsApp (or SMS) right after payment. Unlike a paper bill, it is branded, GST-compliant, permanent (one URL that never fades), and carries engagement with it: loyalty points, product ratings, an NPS survey and offers all live on the same page.
Is a WhatsApp receipt valid as a GST invoice?
Yes. AftrBase smart receipts are GST-compliant e-invoices: the receipt page carries your GSTIN, invoice number, itemised tax breakup and all other fields a GST invoice needs. The WhatsApp message is a delivery channel; the tax record itself lives on your branded receipt page, downloadable as PDF by the customer.
How much does sending receipts on WhatsApp cost?
Receipts are sent as transactional messages over the WhatsApp Business API, billed by Meta at utility-message rates (a fraction of a rupee per message in India). AftrBase includes the WhatsApp Business API setup and a fair volume of receipt deliveries in every plan; very high volumes are quoted transparently at cost plus a small handling fee. Contact us for the current Meta rates.
Data, consent & compliance
How do I collect customer phone numbers at the counter legally?
AftrBase captures the number from the bill itself (UPI or card payment flow), and consent is taken at the counter: the customer opts in once, and DPDP-compliant consent language shows on the billing screen and on the receipt. You can run receipts with no marketing only, or skip capture for customers who decline.
How do I measure repeat purchase rate in retail?
A repeat-purchase rate is the share of customers in a period who had already bought from you before. AftrBase Analytics computes it automatically from transaction data (every sale writes into the customer record), so you can track how loyalty, campaigns and win-backs move it week by week, per store and across stores.
Still have a question?
Write to [email protected] — a human answers, usually within a day.