1 · Check your exit termsBefore anything: contract end date, early-termination fee, and whether your processor is tied to the POS. If hardware is leased, note the return terms. This determines your timing, not your willingness.
2 · Export everythingProducts (with SKUs, barcodes, prices, quantities), customers, and outstanding gift-card / store-credit balances. Every major system exports CSV — do it while you still have access.
3 · Import your catalogLoad the product CSV into the new system and spot-check twenty items: barcode scans, price, tax category, stock count. Fix mapping once, not per item.
4 · Set up staff & permissionsLogins, roles, and the time clock. In ParallelPOS, payroll and commissions ride the same accounts — set them up once here.
5 · Run parallel for one dayRing the same sales on both systems for a single day (or a morning). You are testing receipts, taxes and card processing — not the whole catalog.
6 · Cut over on a quiet dayCount inventory that morning, adjust the new system to the physical counts, and stop selling on the old one. Keep read-only access to the old system's history for your accountant.