From MerchantPlay to Shopways – Two Decades of Reliable Systems

Shopways didn’t start as a startup idea — it grew from systems built for real businesses in Singapore. Today, Shopways is focused on one simple outcome: help Singapore F&B take orders at the counter or the table and stay organised with one iPad POS and a live order board.

The Origin Story

A Foundation Built for Stability

Before Shopways existed, we built a custom web-based inventory and invoicing system for a local distributor in Singapore — back when “cloud” wasn’t even a common term. That project, launched in 2010, proved something important: simple systems that don’t break are the ones businesses keep. Remarkably, the system is still running today — a reminder that reliability never goes out of date.

Ng Nam Thye inventory management system built in 2010

“The system has handled our inventory and billing for over 15 years. It’s simple, stable, and exactly what we need.”

— Owner, Ng Nam Thye

2010

System launched

15+ Years

Still in daily use

Stable

Built for ops

Core

Stock & billing

Where It's Headed

The same reliability — now built for cafés

That same focus on simple, dependable workflows is exactly what a busy café needs. Wai Cafe, a Singapore café, has run its counter on Shopways for 7 years — and in the last 10 months alone put 21,000+ orders through it, almost every day it's open.

“We like that the workflow stays simple for staff. Orders are easy to manage, and day-to-day operations stay clear.”

— Owner, Wai Cafe • Singapore

21,167

Orders processed

7 Years

A Shopways café

203

Trading days (10 mo)

Daily

Still used every day

Wai Cafe Singapore running its counter on Shopways

Read the full Wai Cafe story →

From MerchantPlay to Shopways

Two decades of evolution — from early POS systems to modern web-based workflows. Today, Shopways is focused on F&B: a simple iPad POS and a live order board for Singapore cafés and restaurants.

2003 — Early Retail Systems

Building software for real operations — early POS and inventory workflows that taught us what businesses actually need: speed, records, and stability.

2008 — Web Workflow Experiments

Before “SaaS” became mainstream, we explored browser-based workflows — proving that operational tools could live on the web and still be reliable.

2013 — MerchantPlay Launch

MerchantPlay launched with a clear principle: keep things simple, fast, and stable — designed around real-life operations, not feature checklists.

2016 — Touch-First Operations

As devices evolved, we refined the same ideas into cleaner, touch-first experiences — making operational tools easier for staff to use during busy hours.

2025 — Shopways Re-focused

Shopways was re-focused around a simple modern need: run the counter and the kitchen from one iPad — a fast POS and a live order board that keep every order in sync.

Built in Singapore 🇸🇬 • Refined through two decades • Designed for simplicity and longevity

See the Shopways iPad POS

Our Mission

Shopways is built with a simple belief — that Singapore’s cafés, restaurants and quick-service spots deserve a modern, affordable iPad POS without being locked into heavy systems. Our mission is to help owners stay organised with a clear workflow: fast orders at the counter or the table, and a live order board for the kitchen.

Counter or Table

Ring up orders fast on the iPad — or let dine-in guests scan a per-table QR. Every order lands on the same board.

One Live Order Board

New → In progress → Ready → Collected. A simple board that works on phones and tablets, with auto-refresh always on.

Designed for Reliability

Calm by default — auto-refresh on, sound optional, and simple statuses so you don’t miss orders during busy hours.

“Helping Singapore F&B take orders — at the counter or the table — with a workflow that stays simple and reliable.”