A product catalog is a central function in a POS system where all your items and products are registered and managed. It contains important information such as product names, item number, prices, tax, supplier info and stock status. The product catalog makes it easy to search for and find products, and ensures items are handled correctly in sales, stock management and ordering.

In the restaurant and café industry, the product catalog can contain everything from individual ingredients such as milk, coffee and flour to composite products like a “Breakfast platter” or “Dish of the day”. Each item has a set of specifications that determine how it appears in your POS. You can also add descriptions, change prices, set portion sizes and adjust stock quantities directly from the catalog.

A practical example:

Imagine a café that sells cappuccino. In the product catalog you have created cappuccino as an item with a unique item number, a price and the related ingredients (coffee beans and milk). Every time a cappuccino is sold at the till, the system automatically deducts the ingredients from stock. This helps the café keep track of when to reorder – and so avoid running out at busy times.

Knowing and understanding the product catalog is important because it is the whole foundation of your POS system. It not only ensures fast, correct service at the counter but also helps you keep track of stock levels, plan purchasing and analyse sales data. That gives you better control over both finances and operations.

How does Flexybox use the product catalog?

In the Flexybox POS, an up-to-date product catalog is maintained as an integrated part of operations. This means you always know which items you have in stock and how they relate to your recipes and menus. When an item is sold, stock is updated automatically, making it easy to plan purchasing and avoid ordering mistakes. The combination of product catalog and stock management creates an efficient flow in both the kitchen and at the till.

Frequently asked questions

A product list is typically just an overview of products, while a product catalog is a detailed digital database with information about each item – including price, stock quantity, item number and links to recipes and suppliers.

You can create items manually, but in Flexybox you can also import them from Excel or create them automatically through supplier integrations, which saves time and ensures correct data.

When an item is registered in the catalog with contents and consumption, the system can automatically update stock every time something is sold. That gives a full overview of what you have in stock and when to order more.

Yes, you can create compositions where one sales item consists of several ingredients. This is especially useful in cafés and restaurants, where dishes often contain several ingredients.