In a previous Odoo app spotlight, we discussed the benefits of the Sales app and how it can improve your sales process through increased efficiency and customer experience. However, something the Sales app lacks is a means to directly make sales from a storefront. The reason for that is that Odoo has a dedicated solution to this through the Point of Sale app!
What the Point of Sale App Does for You
The Point of Sale app is your modern solution to the cash register, capable of running on any device with a web browser. At its core, it handles transactions and receipts, but it goes far beyond basic sales functionality. The Point of Sale app can manage returns and refunds, track customer loyalty points, apply discounts, power self-ordering kiosks, create product combos, and much more.
Many additional features are available based on the needs of your storefront. Whether you need barcode scanning, tracking of serial numbers and lots, or scheduling shipping, the Point of Sale app has you covered. Restaurants utilizing the Point of Sale app will find several dedicated features, such as floor plan views, table statuses, order printing to kitchen displays, and tip management.
And of course, there's support for many payment methods, from traditional cash drawers to popular payment terminals for credit and debit cards to QR codes for bank or money transfers. The flexibility ensures you can serve customers however they prefer to pay.
Smart Pricing with Pricelists
Just as the Sales app supports the use of pricelists, the Point of Sale app also enables users to take advantage of such a feature. These pricelists can be applied dynamically based on sales conditions. Advanced price rules options are available to apply specific pricelists or discounts based on product category, quantity, or other conditions in a sales order. This means you can run happy hour specials, volume discounts, or member pricing, all managed automatically by the system.
Tax Management Made Simple
Of course, taxes, whether local or otherwise, frequently need to be applied to sales, and the Point of Sale app can account for that as well. By integrating with fiscal positions (found in the Odoo Accounting app), the Point of Sale app can be configured to apply set tax amounts that can be easily swapped between as needed. Whether you're dealing with varying state sales taxes, international VAT, or industry-specific rates, the system adapts to your requirements.
A Day in the Life with Odoo Point of Sale
Imagine a retail store opening for the day. The manager logs into the Point of Sale app on a tablet at the counter. A customer approaches with several items. The cashier scans barcodes, and the products populate instantly, complete with current pricing from the active pricelist. The customer mentions they're a loyalty member, so the cashier applies their account, automatically calculating available points and discounts.
The customer decides to add a combo deal that the system suggests. The final total is calculated with the appropriate local sales tax. They pay with a credit card via the connected terminal, and a digital receipt is sent to their email. The inventory updates in real-time, and if stock drops below a threshold, the system can trigger a purchase order automatically.
Meanwhile, in the restaurant section, servers use the floor plan view to see which tables are occupied. They take orders on tablets, sending kitchen tickets directly to the prep station. When guests are ready to pay, they can split the bill, add tips, and settle the check, all from the Point of Sale interface.
Data-Driven Insights
Finally, any good business wants to know the data behind its sales, and the Point of Sale app can help with that as well. It can easily pull sales data into the customizable reports it can generate. Track your top-selling products, busiest hours, average transaction values, and employee performance. Pair these insights with Odoo's broader analytics capabilities across Inventory and Accounting to get a complete picture of your retail operations.
Who Gets the Most Value?
- Retail stores that need modern POS functionality with real-time inventory sync
- Restaurants and cafes requiring table management, kitchen printing, and tip handling
- Multi-location businesses that want centralized reporting and consistent pricing
- Service providers who sell products alongside appointments or services
- Pop-up shops and mobile vendors that need cloud-based POS accessible from any device
Why It Works So Well with the Rest of Odoo
Point of Sale doesn't operate in isolation. When you connect it with Inventory, Accounting, CRM, and eCommerce, you eliminate duplicate data entry and gain real-time visibility. A sale made in-store instantly reduces inventory, feeds into your financial reports, and can trigger loyalty rewards in your CRM. Customers who buy online can return in-store, and everything stays synchronized.
Core Features of Odoo Point of Sale:
- Universal Device Compatibility: Run on tablets, desktops, or dedicated POS hardware with any modern web browser
- Multiple Payment Methods: Cash, credit/debit terminals, mobile payments, QR codes, and more
- Offline Mode: Continue processing sales even without internet connectivity; sync when back online
- Product Management: Barcode scanning, variants, serial numbers, lot tracking, and combo products
- Customer Features: Loyalty programs, digital receipts, customer display screens, and self-service kiosks
- Restaurant Tools: Floor plans, table management, course timing, kitchen printing, and tip management
- Advanced Pricing: Dynamic pricelists, promotions, discounts, and tax configuration
- Real-Time Inventory: Instant stock updates and low-stock alerts
- Comprehensive Reporting: Sales analytics, product performance, cashier reports, and financial summaries
Ready to see it in action?
Having advanced tools that you can utilize for your business can do wonders for improving your workflow efficiency, and Odoo is a full suite of advanced business tools. The Odoo Point of Sale app is only one of these tools that you can take advantage of. Reach out to your local Odoo partner (like we are here at Lighthouse IT Solutions), and we can show you a hands-on demonstration of everything Odoo has to offer.
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