# Hardware store go-live checklist

> Check every setting, unit, price list, account and printer before your hardware store or lumber yard starts selling on SmartPOS Hub.

Source: https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/hardware/checklist/  
Last updated: 2026-10-30  
Product: SmartPOS Hub (https://smartposhub.com)

Work through this list before your first real sale. Each line links to the step where it is explained.

## Business and locations

- [ ] Each store, yard and warehouse is a business location with its own invoice scheme ([step 1](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/hardware/step-1-stores-yard-and-settings/)).
- [ ] **Enable Sub Units**, **Enable Brands** and **Enable Warranty** are ticked; **Enable Sales Order** if you take special orders.
- [ ] Tax rates are set and the right tax is on each product ([tax rates](https://docs.smartposhub.com/settings/tax-rates/)).
- [ ] Receipt printer and label printer print correctly ([devices and printers](https://docs.smartposhub.com/start/devices-and-printers/)).

## Catalog

- [ ] Base units and sub-units exist; length units allow decimals ([step 2](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/hardware/step-2-units-boxes-and-lengths/)).
- [ ] Products are imported with categories, brands and the correct base unit ([step 3](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/hardware/step-3-load-a-large-catalog/)).
- [ ] Box-only items have only the box in **Related Sub Units**.
- [ ] Opening stock is entered per location, in the base unit.
- [ ] Labels are printed for the top sellers.

## Customers and prices

- [ ] Selling price groups (Contractor, Pro Volume…) have prices ([step 4](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/hardware/step-4-contractor-accounts-and-price-groups/)).
- [ ] Customer groups are linked to the price groups.
- [ ] Every house account has a customer group, pay term and credit limit.

## Buying

- [ ] Suppliers are added with their pay terms ([step 6](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/hardware/step-6-purchase-orders-and-receiving/)).
- [ ] Alert quantities are set on fast movers.

## People

- [ ] Each staff member has their own user, role and allowed locations ([users and roles](https://docs.smartposhub.com/start/users-and-roles/)). Roles are edited in **User Management › Roles**.
- [ ] Cashiers know how to switch units, sell on Credit Sale and make a quotation.
- [ ] A test day is done: open register, sale, credit sale, quote, return, close register.

  - [Hardware overview](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/hardware/overview/)
  - [General go-live checklist](https://docs.smartposhub.com/start/go-live-checklist/)

## Frequently asked questions

### How do I test without spoiling my reports?

Make a few test sales, a quote and a credit sale on a test customer, then return them. Or do your tests before you enter opening stock and delete the test records.

### What is the most common go-live mistake in hardware?

Opening stock entered in boxes instead of the base unit. 20 boxes of 100 screws must be entered as 2,000 pieces.

### Do I need barcodes on every item before going live?

No. Cashiers can search by name or SKU. Print labels for fast movers first and the rest over the following weeks.

### Who should get the owner login?

Only the owner. Give managers and cashiers their own users with roles that match their job.