In today's dynamic retail environment, running a store efficiently demands a reliable and user-friendly Point of Sale (POS) system. The latest version of the popular open-source ERP, Odoo 17, offers a powerful point-of-sale (POS) module that can assist in optimizing your retail operations.
In this blog post, we'll explore an in-depth guide to setting up your retail store with Odoo 17 Point of Sale.
Before diving into the configuration process, let's briefly explore the features of Odoo 17 Point of Sale. Odoo's POS module is crafted to deliver a unified and streamlined experience for retailers.
Introduction to Inventory Management
* Product Management: Streamlining your product catalog is effortless with detailed information, encompassing pricing, stock levels, and images.
* Sales Management: Seamlessly handle sales transactions, whether it's a basic cash sale or a more intricate invoice for corporate customers.
* Instantaneous inventory control to minimize shortages or surplus stock.
* Customer database for personalized assistance and targeted marketing.
* Comprehensive reporting and analytics for insights into sales trends and inventory turnover.
* Easily accommodates multiple payment methods for customer convenience.
Beginning with the Odoo 17 Point of Sale Module
Make sure you have the most up-to-date version of Odoo 17 installed. Depending on your company's requirements, you can opt for either the community version or the enterprise edition. Access the Odoo dashboard and enable the Point of Sale module. Go to the 'Apps' menu, search for 'Point of Sale,' and install the module. Opening the Point of Sale module will direct you to the ‘Dashboard’ window, as depicted in the screenshot below.
To initiate a new PoS session, you can click on the ‘New Session’ button available on the shop Kanban view. Alternatively, this can also be accomplished through the ‘Settings’ window in the ‘Configuration’ menu. In this interface, you’ll find the ‘New Shop’ button, enabling you to create a new retail shop tailored to your needs. Additionally, you can modify the shop owner using the adjacent space.
By clicking on the ‘New Shop’ button, you'll initiate a setup wizard. Within this wizard, you can input the Point of Sale / Shop name and activate the Bsr/Restaurant mode, as illustrated below.
In this instance, as we're only setting up a retail shop, there's no requirement to enable the ‘Is a Bar/Restaurant’ option.
Once you've named the shop, save the information by selecting the ‘Save’ button on the settings page. Then, return to the ‘Point of Sale’ window in the ‘Dashboard’ menu to view the updated shop data.
Clicking the "New Session" button will open the restaurant session. However, before starting PoS sales in the newly created shop session, we need to specify several essential configuration parameters. Let's now delve into the configuration options.
1. Product Configuration
Include relevant details such as the product name, description, category, and cost. To enhance visual representation, you can also upload photos. This process mirrors the product configuration steps found in the sales and other Odoo applications.
Navigate to the ‘Products’ menu, select the ‘Product’ window, and choose or create custom products needed for this restaurant.
2. Price List Setup
With Odoo, you can establish distinct price lists tailored to different customer segments or promotional durations. Customize your price lists according to factors such as customer categories, volume discounts, or seasonal offers.
To create or choose a price list for selling items in your restaurant business, go to the "Pricelists" section under the "Products" menu in Odoo. In this example, I'm selecting the Benelux USD price list.
3. Variants Configuration
Product variations are crucial for companies to address the diverse needs of their customers, streamline operations, and adapt to evolving market dynamics. Apart from boosting revenue and meeting consumer satisfaction, these efforts contribute to overall business success. By utilizing the "Product Variants" section under the "Product" menu, you can create multiple variations of a single product.
4. Combined Products
Product bundles, alternatively referred to as product combinations, hold significant importance for sales organizations. They offer several advantages that enhance profits, meet customer satisfaction, and advance the company's objectives.
Odoo introduces a new capability for generating product combinations within its ‘Product Combos’ section found in the ‘Products’ menu.
5. Setting Up Payment Methods
Integrate your desired payment methods with Odoo 17 POS. Configure the system to facilitate payments seamlessly, whether you're accepting cash, credit cards, or mobile payments. Simply choose the payment methods from the ‘Payments’ tab of the ‘Settings’ window, as illustrated below.
Additionally, you have the option to create personalized payment methods using the ‘Payment Methods’ link available below the field.
6. Rounding Cash Values
The software provides a ‘Cash Rounding’ feature, enabling users to define the smallest denomination for cash transactions. Additionally, the 'Set Maximum Difference' function allows users to establish the maximum allowable variance between expected and actual cash amounts. Users can also manage the denomination of coins and bills with the 'Coins/Bills' feature, allowing them to select their preferred denominations.
7. Personalizing Receipts
Incorporate your company's logo, contact details, and relevant information to personalize your sales receipts, boosting brand visibility and professionalism. This customization can be executed from the ‘Bills & Receipts’ section of the configuration 'Settings' window, as depicted below.
8. Setting Sales Taxes
Ensure compliance with local tax regulations by configuring sales tax rules. Odoo enables you to establish tax codes and rules that are applicable to specific products or locations from the software backend or directly from the ‘Accounting’ tab of the ‘Settings’ window, as illustrated below.
You can configure the Default Sales Tax, Flexible Taxes, and Fiscal Positions based on your sales needs using this Accounting tab section.
9. Select Payment Terminals
Integrating payment terminals into your Point of Sale (POS) system enables the acceptance of various payment methods, including different debit and credit cards. This integration enhances payment efficiency, particularly for companies such as Adyen, Vantiv, Paytm, Stripe, and Six. Access to these services is available through the 'Settings' window of the Point of Sale module, as depicted below.
10. Setting Up Hardware
If your retail shop utilizes hardware such as barcode scanners, receipt printers, or cash drawers, ensure these devices are configured to seamlessly integrate with Odoo 17 POS. Odoo supports a variety of hardware integrations to enhance efficiency. Before finalizing the system deployment, conduct comprehensive testing to identify any potential issues. Additionally, ensure all employees receive thorough training to confidently operate the Odoo 17 POS system.
By utilizing a secondary display, users can showcase the checkout process to clients, whether connecting a device to PoS with or without an IoT Box. This configuration can be managed from the ‘Connected Devices’ tab of the ‘Settings’ page.
11. Staff Access and Permissions
Administer employee access by establishing user accounts with suitable permissions. Define roles and limitations to guarantee each staff member has requisite access while upholding security standards.
Launching the Retail Store and Handling Orders
Now, navigate to the ‘Dashboard’ window and select the ‘New Session’ button found within the Kanban view of the specific retail store to initiate a new sales session and manage orders within your PoS application.
Upon initiating the new PoS session, you'll encounter the store interface. Prepare to explore the sleek order interface, displaying products with their names, prices, and captivating images, as depicted in the screenshot below.
