DiKAS on Android¶
DiKAS is available as a native Android app — a single program that you install once. On first launch, you choose how the device is to be operated (full POS with its own license, client on a server, demo, or customer display). The choice is remembered and can be changed again later in the settings.
Downloading the App¶
The DiKAS app is available as a direct download, and will soon be available in the Google Play Store as well:
- Direct download (APK): www.dikas.de/iso/dikas.apk — open the file on the Android device and install it (you may need to allow "install from unknown sources" for the browser).
- Google Play Store: coming soon.
When Do I Need the App?
Whenever hardware directly on the device or NFC is involved — the browser cannot do this:
- Reading and writing NFC customer cards (customer cards for top-up/payment, admission tickets). This is why the app is mandatory in the Disco module, since NFC cards are used there.
- Cloud operation with a network/IP printer: A pure browser cannot address a printer on the local network directly. If you work without a local server (cloud only) and print to an IP/WLAN printer, the app takes over this connection.
- Card payment via Tap-to-Pay (NFC) — the tablet itself becomes the card terminal.
- Bluetooth printer and Bluetooth customer display.
For pure cloud/browser operation without local hardware, the app is not required.
Which setup fits your business (tablet only, cloud with app, or local server) is shown in the Modes of Operation overview.
First Start — Selecting the Operating Mode¶
When first opened, the app asks: "How would you like to operate this device?" Four tiles are available:
| Tile | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 🔑 Lizenz aktivieren (Activate license) | Full POS with its own server directly on the device and its own license. |
| 🌐 Client mit Server verbinden (Connect client to server) | The device connects as an additional POS to an existing DiKAS server on the network. |
| 🧪 Demo Version (Demo version) | Try it out with no obligation, using sample data. |
| 📺 BT-Betragsanzeige (BT amount display) | The device serves as a customer display and is paired with a POS via Bluetooth. |
The License, Client, and BT amount display roles are remembered — on the next start, it proceeds directly. The Demo asks again every time it starts. The role can be changed at any time in Settings.
🔑 Lizenz aktivieren (Activate license, Full POS)¶
The full POS runs independently on the device — with an integrated server, without a separate PC.
- Select the "Lizenz aktivieren" (Activate license) tile
- Enter your license and tap "Aktivieren" (Activate)
- The app sets up the POS and synchronizes your data
- Then log in with the credentials from your setup email
Credentials
The login credentials for the full POS come from the email you received during setup/ordering — not admin/admin. admin/admin applies only to the demo (see below).
🌐 Client mit Server verbinden (Connect client to server)¶
For tablets that connect to an existing DiKAS server — e.g., as an additional waiter POS in the service area.
- Select the "Client mit Server verbinden" (Connect client to server) tile
- The app automatically searches for DiKAS servers on the network and displays the servers found as a list
- Tap your server from the list
- Log in with your DiKAS credentials
Server Not Appearing?
Normally, you do not need to enter anything manually — the server appears automatically. Only if the network blocks the automatic search (some managed WLANs suppress the multicast packets required for this) do you enter the server's IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.100) under "oder manuell verbinden" (or connect manually).
You do not need to specify a port — the connection always runs over https. You also do not need to confirm an SSL certificate; the app accepts the server certificate automatically.
The client app shows the same interface as the browser, but additionally offers hardware directly on the tablet: Tap-to-Pay (NFC), NFC customer cards, a Bluetooth printer, and a more stable connection than a browser tab.
🧪 Demo Version (Demo version)¶
For trying it out with no obligation: the app starts with sample data and automatically logs you in with admin/admin. The demo is not remembered, and the selection screen appears again on the next start.
📺 BT-Betragsanzeige (BT amount display, Customer Display)¶
A second device (e.g., an old smartphone) can be used as a customer display: it shows the guest the amount to be paid and is paired with the POS via Bluetooth.
Display
The app runs as a normal Android app — the status bar at the top remains visible. For a clean POS screen, you can use the device's full-screen/immersive mode in the Android settings if needed.
Feature Set¶
As a full POS (role "License"), the app contains the complete DiKAS POS system:
| Function | Available |
|---|---|
| Point of sale (direct sale + tables) | Yes |
| Articles, groups, options | Yes |
| Customers, credit, vouchers | Yes |
| NFC customer cards | Yes |
| Table plan with table shapes | Yes |
| Staff & waiter switching | Yes |
| Orders & kitchen/bar printing | Yes |
| End-of-day report (Z-report) | Yes |
| Void & hospitality receipt | Yes |
| Time tracking (clock in/out) | Yes |
| Reports & analytics | Yes |
| Admin area | Yes |
Printing via WLAN/LAN¶
The app prints via network printers (WLAN/LAN):
- Receipt printer (Epson, Star, Bixolon) via ESC/POS
- Kitchen printer for consolidated order tickets
- Bar printer for beverage orders
No printer available? Receipts are displayed as PDF.
Card Payment with Tap-to-Pay (SoftPOS)¶
On NFC-capable Android devices, you can accept payments directly via Tap-to-Pay — your device itself becomes the card terminal, with no separate card terminal needed:
- Select "EC-Karte" (Debit card) or "Kreditkarte" (Credit card) as the payment method
- The customer holds their card or smartphone to the tablet
- Payment is processed directly on the device — DiKAS uses the certified SoftPOS technology of our partner RS2 for this
- Receipt is created
Setup: Admin → Settings → Terminals → create a new terminal of type "Tap-to-Pay (SoftPOS)".
ℹ️ Note: Tap-to-Pay requires an internet connection.
ZVT Terminal via WLAN¶
Classic card terminals (Ingenico, Verifone, CCV) can be connected via WLAN when the terminal and tablet are on the same network.
Step-by-step setup:
-
Prepare the terminal:
- Turn on the card terminal and connect it to the WLAN
- Note the terminal's IP address (found in the terminal menu under Network/WLAN, e.g.,
192.168.1.50) - Check the ZVT port (default: 20007)
-
Add the terminal in DiKAS:
- Admin → Settings → Terminals
- Tap "Neu" (New)
- Enter a name (e.g., "EC-Terminal Theke")
- Type: ZVT
- Enter the terminal's IP address (e.g.,
192.168.1.50) - Port:
20007 - "Speichern" (Save)
-
Test the connection:
- In the terminal settings, tap "Status"
- On successful connection, "Verbunden" (Connected) appears
- Optional: perform a "Kassenschnitt" (batch close) on the terminal
-
Paying by card:
- When checking out, select "EC-Karte" (Debit card) as the payment method
- The amount is automatically sent to the terminal
- The customer pays at the terminal (insert card or contactless)
- After successful payment, the receipt is finalized
Tip
Assign the card terminal a static IP address in the router so the connection doesn't change with every restart.
📡 Offline Operation¶
As a full POS, the app works completely offline:
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Database | SQLite — local on the device |
| Internet connection | Only required for card payment (Tap-to-Pay) |
| Cash payment | Always works, without internet |
| Data | All articles, customers, receipts stored locally |
Data stays on the device even when the app is closed. As soon as the device is connected to the DiKAS cloud, the data is automatically backed up (→ Backup & Restore).
Full POS (License) or Client?¶
| Function | Full POS (License) | Client (on server) | Server (PC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Own server required | No (in the device) | Yes (on the network) | — |
| Database | SQLite (local) | Server | CouchDB / SQLite / SQL Server |
| Multiple devices | Single device | Yes (via server) | Yes (any number) |
| Card terminal (ZVT) | WLAN only | WLAN only | Serial + network |
| Tap-to-Pay (SoftPOS) | Yes (NFC) | Yes (NFC) | No |
| NFC customer cards | Yes | Yes | Only with app/appliance |
| DATEV export | No | Yes (via server) | Yes |
| Disco module | Yes | Yes (via server) | Yes (cards via app) |
| Draught system (serial) | No | No | Yes |
All other functions are identical — the same interface, the same workflows.
💡 Tips for Tablet Operation¶
Disable screen lock: So the tablet doesn't lock during operation. Android Settings → Display → Screen timeout → "Nie" (Never) (or very long).
Disable battery optimization: Android Settings → Apps → DiKAS → Battery → "Nicht eingeschränkt" (Unrestricted). This prevents the app from being terminated in the background.
Adjust brightness: Increase brightness for terrace operation. Reduce brightness for night operation (disco, bar).
Charging during operation: Connect the tablet to a power source if it is permanently stationed at the counter. The battery lasts for a normal service day, but charging is safer for continuous operation.
Data backup: As soon as the tablet is connected to the DiKAS cloud, your data is backed up automatically — you don't need to back up anything manually.
Next Step¶
→ First Login — Get to know the interface