Articles & Groups

Article Groups

Articles are organized in a hierarchical group structure. The groups determine: - The sorting at the POS - The assignment to printers (e.g. food → kitchen printer) - The article group analysis in reports - The inheritance of price rules and print settings

Creating a Group

1. Admin → Articles → Tab "Groups"
2. Click "+ New Group"
3. Fill in:

Field	Description	Example
Name	Group name	Beverages
Short Name	Optional short label	Bev.
Description	Optional text	—
Background Color	Color of the tile at the POS	Blue
Display	Where the group appears: None / Sales / Order / Cloakroom / Monthly Report	Sales

ℹ️ Sorting is done via drag & drop in sort mode (not via an editable "Group No." field). DiKAS assigns the hierarchical group ID automatically.

Group Hierarchy

Groups can be nested to any depth:

100 Getränke
  10001 Alkoholfrei
    1000101 Wasser
    1000102 Softdrinks
    1000103 Säfte
  10002 Bier
  10003 Wein
200 Speisen
  20001 Vorspeisen
  20002 Hauptgerichte
  20003 Desserts
300 Verschiedenes

Inheritance: Print settings and price rules are inherited along the hierarchy — from the parent group down to the article. More specific settings override more general ones.

Changing the Group Structure

• Order: Via drag & drop in sort mode
• Move a group to a different level: Also via drag & drop — while dragging, three drop zones appear: before, after, or inside (the group becomes a subgroup of the target group). This lets you turn, say, "Cocktails" into a subgroup of "Beverages" with a single drag
• Create a subgroup: Select a parent group
• Delete a group: Via the trash-can icon (top-level main groups are protected)

💡 Hidden groups: Groups with display set to "None" do not appear at the POS — not even as a tab within their main group. In the admin area you can spot them by the "hidden" marker. Handy for seasonal menus: the mulled wine group can stay set up over the summer while remaining invisible.

⚠️ Note: A group cannot be deleted while it still has articles or subgroups assigned to it — DiKAS stops with a clear error message. Move or delete the contained articles/subgroups first; only then can the group be removed.

Extra Articles (tab in the group)

Independent articles from other groups that are additionally displayed in this group (e.g. side dishes or drinks right next to the main courses):

• The article appears in its home group and in the group it is assigned to as an extra article
• When booked via this group, the price rules of this group apply — reliably, even when the group isn't currently selected or isn't displayed at all (display "None"). Even the price shown on the tile already factors in the rule
• Receipt printing still follows the article's home group

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Managing Articles

Creating an Article

1. Admin → Articles → Select group → "+ New Article"
2. Fill in the "General" tab:

Required Fields:

Field	Description
Name	Article name (appears on the receipt and at the POS)
Price	Selling price in euros
Tax Class	19% (standard), 7% (reduced), 0% (tax-free)
Group	Assigned article group

Optional Fields:

Field	Description
Article Number	Unique number (PLU) for reports and export — duplicates are rejected by the system
Barcode	EAN code for the barcode scanner
Allergens	EU-14 allergen labeling
Is Active	Inactive articles do not appear at the POS
Points	Loyalty points per unit (positive = earn, negative = redeem)
Deposit	Deposit amount per unit (e.g. 0.25 EUR)

💡 Beginner-friendly editor: The Name is at the very top. Below the sales price, net + VAT is shown instantly so you can see what the gross price contains. The Normal/Expert toggle (top right) hides or reveals rarely needed fields (deposit, barcode, course, receipt texts, special type …) and the Price rules/History tabs. Help icons (?) explain every field; if the name is missing, the message appears right at the field.

The Type determines whether it is a normal or a special article (default = "Normal article") — see Special Articles. The Print tab (with print preview) and Price rules tab (with price check) each show a live preview of the result at the top.

Changing the Price Permanently

The most common everyday task — done in 30 seconds:

1. Admin → Articles → Search for the article (search field at the top, e.g. "Cola")
2. Tap the article → enter the new price in the sales price field (e.g. 3.50 EUR → 3.80 EUR)
3. Save — the new price applies immediately at all registers

Receipts already booked keep the old price; open tables book at the new price from now on.

Permanent vs. Temporary

Change the sales price for permanent price adjustments. For time-limited promotions (happy hour, lunch menu), price rules are the right tool — the base price stays untouched.

Editing an Article

1. Click on the article in the article list
2. Make changes
3. Click "Save"

Deactivate Instead of Delete

When an article is no longer offered:

• Don't: Delete the article (it will be missing from historical reports)
• Better: Set the article to "Inactive"

The article disappears from the POS but remains in reports and historical receipts.

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📋 Tax Classes

DiKAS supports three tax rates:

Tax Class	Tax Rate	Usage
Standard (0)	19%	Beverages
Reduced (1)	7%	Food (uniformly 7% since 01.01.2026, regardless of dine-in or takeaway)
Tax-free (99)	0%	Voucher sales, credit top-ups, deposits

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Article Images

Each article has one central image gallery (Tab "Images"). The same images are used everywhere: as the POS icon (primary image), for online ordering (table self-order, webshop), at the self-order kiosk and in the preparation editor.

1. Open article → Tab "Images"
2. Drop an image via drag & drop or click to upload (JPG, PNG, GIF or WebP; recommended: square, min. 400×400 px)
3. On upload the image is automatically optimized for the web: converted to WebP, scaled to max. 1200 px, plus a thumbnail is generated — this saves load time in the online shop
4. Set the primary image: the image marked with the gold star "Primary" is shown as the POS icon and as the main image in the online shop. Use "Set as primary" to switch it

ℹ️ Images are managed here only — the previously separate image management on the Web tab is gone. At the POS, colored buttons are shown and the primary image serves as the icon.

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Preparation (Kitchen Display)

In the "Preparation" tab you store a preparation guide that appears on the kitchen display via the info icon on the order position.

• Formatting: bold, italic, underline, headings, lists, text color and highlighting of important steps.
• Insert images: upload a new one or pick an existing article image via the gallery picker (from the "Images" tab).
• Tables: "Insert table" (2×2) as well as "Image left / text right" for a two-column layout — image next to the text.

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Article Options (Extras)

For articles with choices (side dish, doneness, extra topping):

1. Open article → Tab "Options"
2. Add "+ Option Group"

Configuring an Option Group

Field	Description	Example
Name	Group name	Extra Topping
Required	Must a guest choose an option?	Yes/No
Mode	Single or multiple selection	Multiple
Free Count (FreeCount)	First N options are free (multi-select only, expert mode)	1 (one free)
Deduct on Deselect (DeductOnDeselect)	Price deduction when a default option is deselected (multi-select only, expert mode)	Yes/No

ℹ️ There are no separate "minimum/maximum selection" fields in the editor — this is controlled via Required (at least 1) and Mode (single = exactly 1, multiple = any number).

Adding an Option

Field	Description	Example
Name / Article	Enter free text or search and link an article (from 2 characters)	Ham
Surcharge	Additional price (negative = deduction)	1.50 EUR
Default	Pre-selected?	No
Percentage	Surcharge as percentage instead of fixed price? (expert mode)	No

Name / Article — one combined field: While typing, matching articles appear as a dropdown (arrow keys + Enter). Selecting an article makes the option take over the article name, a package icon 📦 indicates the link, and ✕ removes it. Linked articles are carried along when booking (e.g. for stock management).

Preview (POS): The button at the top right opens the real POS dialog with the current (even unsaved) options — exactly how the article will look when booked.

ℹ️ The same option-group editor is used in three places: on the article (tab "Options"), on the article group (tab "Options", inherited by all articles in the group), and in option templates. Copy/paste of option groups also works across these views.

Example: Pizza with Topping Selection

Optionsgruppe: Extra-Belag
  Modus: Mehrfach
  Mindestauswahl: 0
  Maximalauswahl: 5
  Gratis: 0

  Schinken        +1,50 €
  Pilze           +1,00 €
  Oliven          +1,00 €
  Peperoni        +1,00 €
  Extra Käse      +2,00 €

Example: Steak with Side Dish (One Included)

Optionsgruppe: Beilage
  Modus: Einzelauswahl
  Mindestauswahl: 1
  Maximalauswahl: 1
  Gratis: 1                ← günstigste Option ist kostenlos

  Pommes           3,50 €  → kostenlos (günstigste, im Gratis-Kontingent)
  Reis             3,50 €  → kostenlos (gleicher Preis, auch im Kontingent)
  Salat            3,50 €  → kostenlos
  Bratkartoffeln   5,00 €  → wenn gewählt: nur Differenz berechnen

FreeCount: The Cheapest N Options Are Free

When Free Count (FreeCount) is set, the cheapest selected options are free:

Free Count	Selected	Charged
2	Fries (3.50 EUR), Salad (3.50 EUR), Roasted Potatoes (5.00 EUR)	Only Roasted Potatoes: 5.00 EUR
1	Ham (1.50 EUR), Extra Cheese (2.00 EUR)	Ham free, Extra Cheese: 2.00 EUR
3	3 options at 1.00 EUR each	All 3 free

Deduct on Deselect (DeductOnDeselect)

When an article comes with certain ingredients by default and the guest deselects one, a price deduction can be granted.

Example: Burger (12.90 EUR) comes by default with cheese (+1.50 EUR, included in the price).

Guest Request	Receipt Display	Price
Burger as described	Burger	12.90 EUR
Burger without cheese	Burger, ~~Käse~~ (-1.50 EUR)	11.40 EUR
Burger without cheese, with extra bacon (+2.00 EUR)	Burger, ~~Käse~~ (-1.50 EUR), Bacon (+2.00 EUR)	13.40 EUR

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🔧 Option Templates

When multiple articles have the same options (e.g. all pizzas have the same topping options):

1. Admin → Option Templates
2. Create a template (e.g. "Pizza Extras")
3. Add option groups to the template
4. Reference the template in the articles

Benefits of Templates

Without Template	With Template
Maintain options on each article individually	Maintain once, up-to-date everywhere
New option → edit all 30 pizzas	New option → only change the template
Error risk with many articles	Consistency guaranteed

Default Override

Each article can override the default selection of the template. This way the "Pizza Extras" template can be used, but Pizza Margherita has "Extra Cheese" selected by default while Pizza Salami does not.

Resolution Order

When an article has options from multiple sources, the following priority applies:

1. Option Templates (highest priority)
2. Inline Option Groups (directly on the article)
3. Legacy Options (old format options, automatically converted)

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💰 Price Rules

DiKAS offers a flexible price rule system for happy hours, customer group discounts, daily specials and more.

How Price Rules Work

Price rules are defined at the article or group level. Multiple rules can be active per article — the cheapest rule always wins.

Rule Types

Type	Description	Example
Percentage (VKPercent)	Price as percentage of base price	80 = 20% discount
Surcharge/Deduction (VKAddMinus)	Fixed amount add/subtract	-1.00 = 1 EUR cheaper
Fixed Price (VKFix)	Fixed price (ignores base price)	3.00 = always 3 EUR

Rule Conditions

Each rule can be restricted to specific situations:

Condition	Description	Example
Weekdays	Only on certain days	Mon–Fri
Time Window	Only at certain times	17:00–19:00 (Happy Hour)
Date Range	Start and end date	01.12.–24.12. (Advent offer)
Customer Group	Only for specific customer groups	Regular customers, corporate customers
Workstation	Only at specific registers	Counter sales
Table Section	Only in specific sections	Beer garden, terrace
Delivery Mode	Only for delivery or pickup	Delivery only
Minimum Price	Price must not fall below minimum	Min. 2.00 EUR
Rounding	Round to 10 cents	Yes/No

Setting Up Happy Hour

Example: All cocktails from 17:00 to 19:00 for 5.00 EUR instead of 8.50 EUR.

1. Admin → Articles → Group "Cocktails" → Price Rules
2. Create new rule:
3. Type: Fixed price = 5.00 EUR
4. Time Window: 17:00–19:00
5. Weekdays: Mon–Fri
6. Name: "Happy Hour"
7. Save

Between 17:00 and 19:00, all cocktails cost 5.00 EUR. Outside this window, the standard price applies.

Customer Group Prices

Example: Corporate customers receive 10% discount on all food.

1. Admin → Customers → Customer Groups → Create "Corporate Customers"
2. Admin → Articles → Group "Food" → Price Rules
3. New rule:
4. Type: Percentage = 90 (= 10% discount)
5. Customer Group: Corporate Customers
6. When a corporate customer is selected, reduced prices apply automatically

Time-Based Visibility

Price rules can also control the visibility of articles:

Visibility	Meaning
No Change	Article always visible (default)
Always Show	Article only visible during the time window
Always Hide	Hide article during the time window

Example: Breakfast items only shown at the POS from 07:00 to 11:00.

Rule Hierarchy

Price rules are evaluated hierarchically — more specific rules take precedence:

1. Article Rule (highest priority)
2. Group Rule (direct group of the article)
3. Parent Group Rule (parent group, grandparent group, etc.)

When multiple rules apply at the same level, the cheapest price for the customer wins.

Night Rules (Across Midnight)

Rules with time windows like 22:00–04:00 are correctly evaluated across midnight. Ideal for clubs and bars with nighttime operations.

Quantity Pricing

For articles with volume discounts:

From Quantity	Unit Price
1	10.00 EUR
5	9.50 EUR
10	8.00 EUR
50	7.00 EUR

Quantity pricing is configured per article and takes precedence over price rules.

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Special Articles (ExtraOption)

In addition to regular sales articles, DiKAS supports various special article types for specific functions:

Overview of All Article Types

Type	Name	Description	Manual Price?
0	Normal	Regular sales article	No (fixed price)
1	Customer Top-up	Top up customer credit	Yes
2	Voucher	Voucher redemption (negative item)	No
6	Tip	Tip recording	Yes
7	Time Article	Price increases with time at the table	No
8	Deposit	Deposit/security (0% VAT)	No
9	Voucher Top-up	Sell a voucher	Yes
10	No Minimum Order	Excluded from minimum order value	—
13	Discount	Percentage discount on the receipt	No
14	Discount Article	Bonus discount (system)	No

Discount Articles in Detail

How it works: A discount article automatically calculates a percentage deduction on the total receipt amount.

Setup:

1. Create an article with type "Discount" (ExtraOption = 13)
2. Enter the discount percentage (e.g. 10 for 10%)
3. Optional: choose a rounding method (none, 5-cent, 10-cent)

Example: 10% staff discount

Schnitzel         12,90 €
Pommes             3,50 €
Cola               3,50 €
──────────────────────────
Zwischensumme     19,90 €
Personalrabatt   -1,99 €  (10 %)
──────────────────────────
Gesamt           17,91 €

Usage at the POS:

1. Order/select all articles
2. Tap the discount article
3. The discount is automatically displayed as a negative item on the receipt
4. VAT is correctly calculated on the reduced amount

Deposit Articles

Deposits are automatically added when an article has a deposit amount.

Setup:

1. Open article → Fill in the "Deposit" field (e.g. 0.25 EUR)
2. When sold, a separate deposit line item is automatically created on the receipt

Example:

Bier 0,5l         4,20 €
+ Pfand            0,25 €  (0 % MwSt, automatisch)
──────────────────────────
Gesamt            4,45 €

Deposit is booked at 0% VAT (pass-through item). In the end-of-day report, the deposit amount appears separately.

Tip Articles

Tips can be recorded as a special article:

1. Tap the tip article (type "Tip")
2. Enter the amount
3. The tip appears separately on the receipt and is assigned to the waiter

Time Articles

For billiard tables, gaming stations or time-based offers:

• The price increases automatically with the duration at the table
• Billing is based on actual usage time

Minimum Order Value Exception

Articles with the type "No Minimum Order" are excluded from the minimum order value check. Typical for:

• Delivery fees
• Deposits
• Service charges

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System Articles

DiKAS has 12 predefined system articles that are automatically created and cannot be deleted:

ID	Name	Usage	VAT
art_custbonusrabatt	Top-up Bonus	Automatic discount when bonus credit is used	19%
art_payout	Credit Payout	Payout of customer credit	0%
art_guthabenaufladen	Customer Credit Top-up	Load credit to customer account	0%
art_gutscheinaufladen	Voucher Top-up	Create/sell a new voucher	0%
art_manuell	Manual Price	Free price entry for ad-hoc articles	19%
art_arbeitszeit	Working Time	Hourly billing (workshop)	19%
art_gutscheineinloesung	Voucher Redemption	Negative item for voucher redemption	0%
art_pfand	Deposit	Automatically added deposit amount	0%
art_liefergebuehr	Delivery Fee	Automatic delivery charge	19%
art_mindestbestellwert	Minimum Order Surcharge	Surcharge when minimum is not met	19%
art_discoeintritt	Disco Entry	Entry fee (disco module)	19%
art_discomindestverzehr	Disco Minimum Spend	Surcharge when minimum spend is not met	19%

Properties of System Articles:

• Automatically created on first startup
• Cannot be deleted (protected) — certain properties are protected as well; an invalid edit attempt is rejected with a clear error message (instead of being silently ignored)
• Can be moved to other article groups
• Displayed with a [System] prefix in the article list
• Cannot be copied

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Article Import

DiKAS offers an intelligent import wizard for article data from CSV/Excel files.

Import Wizard (4 Steps)

1. Upload File — Upload CSV, TXT or XLSX (drag & drop possible)
2. Map Columns — DiKAS recognizes columns automatically or you map manually
3. Preview — Review which articles will be created/updated
4. Import — Articles are created, groups are automatically created

AI-Assisted Mapping

DiKAS can recognize the column mapping automatically using AI:

• Supports OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Gemini and Ollama
• Recognizes columns like "Artikelbezeichnung", "VK Preis", "MwSt" automatically
• Works even with unknown column names

Duplicate Detection

Mode	Behavior
Skip	Do not change existing articles
Update	Update existing articles with new data
Replace	Completely replace existing articles

Import Profiles

Frequently used mappings can be saved as an import profile and reused — ideal for regular supplier imports.

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Allergens Tab

Print & Kitchen Display Tab

In the "Print" tab you define, per service area, on which printers and in the kitchen display the article appears (extra ticket, consolidated order ticket, pager, draught system). A print simulator shows which rules apply.

Further Tabs

Depending on which modules are active, additional tabs appear:

• History — change log for name, price, and VAT (for existing articles)
• Web — fields for online ordering (web title, description, vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free, spice level, preparation time) — only with the online ordering module
• Ticket — admission/ticket settings — only for article type "Ticket"
• Inventory — stock management — only with the inventory module

Further Reading

→ Articles, Printers & Rules — Quick Start — Compact overview with practical examples

→ Articles, Printers & Rules — Detailed — All features in detail: printer control, price rules, draught systems, course control

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Next Step

→ Customers — Manage customer database