Payment terminal, POS system, and Peppol: What does each system do?

For small and medium-sized businesses, these terms often come up together in a single software discussion. That makes it tempting to think that a single solution will automatically take care of all administrative tasks. By examining each role separately, you can build a simpler and more accurate process.

The payment terminal

The terminal or SoftPOS processes an electronic payment through the selected payment partner. It provides transaction status and reporting information and makes payments in accordance with the contractual settlement terms.

The terminal itself does not know which product was sold or which B2B invoice is required.

See also which A payment terminal and cash register that fit your small business.

The Point-of-Sale System

The point-of-sale system records items or services, prices, sales tax, discounts, and payment methods. An integration can send the total amount to the terminal. Reports support daily closing and analysis.

A receipt issued to a consumer is not automatically a structured electronic invoice.

Learn more about point-of-sale systems and how they can support sales and payments.

Peppol and B2B e-invoicing

As of January 1, 2026, virtually all Belgian businesses subject to VAT must use structured electronic invoices for B2B transactions. Software connected to the Peppol network sends and receives this data in a machine-readable format.

B2C sales are not subject to the same invoicing requirement.

Where Scrada Can Connect

Scrada offers digital legal ledgers, POS integrations, accounting integrations, and Peppol functionality. Daily receipts and payment methods can be forwarded via a supported Flowmate integration.

The accountant determines how revenue, cash, and invoices are accounted for.

Learn more about Scrada and Accounting and how the two can work together.

A simple division of roles

• Cash Register: What Was Sold?
• Terminal/provider: Was the amount paid?
• Scrada/Statutory Accounting: How Are Daily Receipts and Cash Recorded?
• Invoicing Software/Peppol: How Is a B2B Invoice Sent?
• Accounting: How Are All Transactions Processed and Verified?

Making the right choice starts with how you operate

Let each system do what it was designed to do, and connect only the necessary data. This way, you can avoid purchasing a payment solution with expectations that only invoicing or point-of-sale software can fulfill.