When to use this guide: your pharmacy runs more than one billing counter at the same time — for example one computer at the front desk and another at the back. Each counter needs to be set up once so bill numbers never clash between them.
What is a Billing Counter?
A counter is simply one billing computer. BitMed calls it a session, and each one is labelled Session A, Session B, Session C and so on. Each has its own bill-number series, so two counters billing at the exact same moment never produce the same bill number.
The app puts it plainly in the session picker: "Each device must use its own terminal session so bill numbers stay unique."
Steps to Set Up a Counter
1. First Time on a New Device
When you sign in on a computer that hasn't billed before, a free counter is picked and assigned to that device automatically. Counter sessions are allocated dynamically, per device: if every existing counter is already busy, a new counter is created and handed to your device on the spot. This is what makes parallel billing across many counters and devices work without any setup step.
Once assigned, the counter session shows right under your store name in the sidebar — that's how you can always confirm which counter this device is billing on.
1 in the picture above is that indicator: the session this device is billing on, and the prompt Tap to switch session.
2. Switch from the Sidebar
Click the session indicator at the top of the sidebar. This opens Select your session.
In the picture above, 1 explains why each device needs its own session, 2 is the one this device is on now — tagged Active — and 3 are the others, each showing whether it is Available. Pick one and click Use this session (4), or Cancel to stay where you are.
3. Switch to a Different Counter Anytime
Go to Settings → Stores & Sessions. The Billing session card at the bottom does the same job as the sidebar.
In the picture above, 1 is the Billing session card, 2 shows which session this device bills on — tagged This device — and 3 is Change session, which opens the same picker as Step 2.
This screen also lists every store in your organisation, so it is the place to check you are on the right store as well as the right counter.
4. If a Counter Shows "In Use"
That counter is already running on another computer — pick a different free one instead. If that other computer is actually switched off, tap the busy counter and confirm Force takeover to reclaim it.
Good to Know
- Switching counters needs internet (it takes a moment to register); billing itself keeps working offline once a counter is set.
- Each counter's bill numbers stay unique even if several counters lose internet at the same time — see multiple counters offline for details.
- Counter sessions and local sync are separate setup steps. With BitMed Link installed and paired, counters also exchange completed bills, returns, held bills and stock changes over the shop network during an internet outage — see what syncs locally.