Quick Answer: Two Different Workflows
Odoo 18 POS serves two fundamentally different use cases: Retail (speed and inventory focus) and Restaurants (workflow and kitchen communication). Choosing the wrong mode creates chaos. This guide walks through hardware setup, retail configuration, restaurant workflows, and integrated payments—step by step.
Phase 1: Hardware Setup
Before touching software, get your hardware connected. There are two methods:
USB Direct Connection
Best for: Simple retail setups
If your receipt printer, barcode scanner, and cash drawer connect via USB to a Windows or Mac machine, just plug them in.
✓ Open Odoo POS in Chrome or Edge
✓ Hardware recognized automatically
✓ No special driver needed
IoT Box (Restaurants)
Best for: Kitchen printers, multiple displays, wireless terminals
In a kitchen, you don't want a Windows PC next to the deep fryer. The Odoo IoT Box connects hardware over Wi-Fi.
1. Connect IoT Box to network (Ethernet/Wi-Fi)
2. Go to POS → Configuration → IoT Boxes
3. Odoo scans network and finds the box
🔌 Hardware confusion? Don't buy incompatible gear. Contact Braincuber for our 2025 Odoo POS Hardware Compatibility List.
Phase 2: Retail Setup (Speed & Inventory)
Focus: Barcodes and Customer Throughput
For retail, speed is king. You need to scan items and take payment in seconds.
1 Product Configuration
Go to Inventory → Products
Ensure every product has a valid Barcode (EAN13 or UPC)
Tip: If you sell products by weight (e.g., fruits), enable "To Weigh" so the POS asks for scale input.
2 Disable Restaurant Mode
Go to Point of Sale → Configuration → Settings
Create a "New Shop"
⚠️ Crucial: Ensure "Is a Bar/Restaurant" is UNCHECKED. This simplifies the interface, removing table selection screens.
3 Enable Cash Control
Enable "Cash Control" in settings
This forces cashiers to count:
Opening drawer amount (e.g., ₹10,000 float)
Closing amount
Result: Watertight audit trail for theft prevention.
Phase 3: Restaurant Setup (Tables & Kitchens)
Focus: Workflow and Communication
Restaurants are complex factories. The front-of-house needs to talk to the back-of-house instantly.
1 Enable Restaurant Mode
In POS Settings, check "Is a Bar/Restaurant"
This unlocks:
Table Management
Bill Splitting
Order Printing
2 Design Your Floor Plan
Go to Point of Sale → Configuration → Floor Plans
Click "Add a Line" to create zones (Main Floor, Patio, Bar)
Use the visual editor to drag and drop tables
Assign seat numbers to each table for capacity planning
3 Configure Kitchen Printers (Order Routing)
Go to Point of Sale → Configuration → Printers
Add a printer (e.g., "Hot Kitchen Printer")
⚠️ Crucial: In printer settings, select which Product Categories print there.
Example routing:
• "Food" categories → Kitchen Printer
• "Drinks" → Bar Printer
• "Merchandise" → prints nowhere
4 Enable Internal Notes (Odoo 18)
Enable Predefined Internal Notes
Create one-tap buttons:
No Ice
Allergy
Extra Spicy
No Onions
Phase 4: Payment Terminals (Integrated Payments)
⚠️ Stop typing numbers manually. Manual entry leads to errors (typing ₹10.00 instead of ₹100.00).
Odoo integrates with Stripe, Adyen, Worldline, and more.
The Setup
Go to Point of Sale → Configuration → Payment Methods
Create a new method (e.g., "Card Terminal")
Enable "Use a Payment Terminal"
Select your provider (Stripe, Adyen, etc.)
Enter the Terminal ID (found on the back of your device)
Result: When you click "Pay" on the screen, the amount is automatically sent to the card machine. The POS waits for a "Success" signal before printing the receipt.
Need help configuring your POS?
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Odoo POS work offline?
Yes. Odoo POS is a "Smart Client." It downloads all product data to the browser cache when you open the session. You can continue selling even if the Wi-Fi goes down. It will sync all transactions automatically once the connection is restored.
Can I mix Retail and Restaurant modes?
Yes, but create separate POS Configs. Create one POS called "Gift Shop" (Retail Mode) and another called "Dining Room" (Restaurant Mode). You can switch between them in the dashboard.
How do I handle tips in Odoo POS?
In Restaurant mode, enable "Tips" in settings. You can choose to accept tips on the bill (added before payment) or after payment (if your region allows adjusting the transaction later).
What hardware do I need for Odoo POS?
Basic retail: tablet/PC + receipt printer + barcode scanner + cash drawer. Restaurants add: kitchen printer(s) + IoT Box. Payment terminals from Stripe/Adyen/Worldline integrate directly. Contact Braincuber for our 2025 hardware compatibility list.
How do kitchen printers know what to print?
Each printer is assigned Product Categories. When an order is placed, Odoo automatically routes items: "Food" category items go to the Kitchen Printer, "Drinks" go to the Bar Printer. No manual sorting required.
Conclusion: Test Before You Open
The difference between a chaotic opening night and a smooth one is testing.
Before you serve a single customer, run a "Mock Service." Have your staff act as customers, order complex items, split bills, and print kitchen tickets.
Is Your POS Ready for the Rush?
Don't guess. Let Braincuber's retail experts review your configuration to ensure zero downtime.
Launch with confidence.