Kiosk Mode Attendance in Odoo 18
By Braincuber Team
Published on December 28, 2025
Factory managers tracking employee attendance create time-theft chaos: 150 production workers sharing single desktop computer logging in/out via Odoo backend requiring username/password each time consuming 2-3 minutes per transaction, forgotten passwords causing 15+ daily helpdesk tickets, employees accessing full Odoo system accidentally clicking wrong menus creating data modification risks, no badge scanning requiring manual name selection from 150-employee dropdown taking 45 seconds per check-in, and supervisor manually reviewing attendance records end-of-shift discovering 12 employees forgot checking out requiring retroactive corrections—creating administrative burden and payroll inaccuracies from complex backend attendance tracking without dedicated public kiosk interface.
Odoo 18 Kiosk Mode transforms devices into dedicated check-in terminals through public URL access (no login required), multiple authentication methods (barcode/RFID/manual selection/PIN), single-tap check-in/out workflow, automatic logout maintaining public access, hours display (today's total + previous hours), customizable confirmation message duration, badge scanner integration (dedicated scanner or phone camera), employee PIN protection, and centralized kiosk management—reducing check-in time from 2-3 minutes to 5 seconds eliminating 95% attendance tracking time while preventing unauthorized system access through locked-down public interface.
Kiosk Features: Public URL access, Badge/RFID scanning, PIN authentication, Manual selection, Auto logout, Hours display, Customizable messages, Multiple kiosks, No system access, Instant check-in
What is Kiosk Mode?
Dedicated public terminal for employee attendance:
- Public Access: No Odoo login required, dedicated check-in interface
- Device Agnostic: Tablet, desktop, smartphone—any device becomes kiosk
- Centralized Terminal: Multiple employees use single shared device
- Authentication: Badge scan, RFID, manual selection, or PIN
- Locked Interface: Only check-in/out allowed, no other system access
Ideal Use Cases:
- Manufacturing facilities (production floor check-in)
- Warehouses (shift workers)
- Retail stores (employee timekeeping)
- Offices (lobby/reception area terminal)
- Any environment with shared attendance terminal
Kiosk Configuration
Accessing Kiosk Settings:
- Go to Attendances → Configuration → Settings
- Find Kiosk Mode section
- Configure options (detailed below)
Kiosk Mode Setting:
Choose employee authentication method:
| Method | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Barcode/RFID | Scan badge only, no manual selection | Badge-equipped employees, fast throughput |
| Barcode/RFID + Manual | Scan badge OR manual selection | Mixed (some with badges, some without) |
| Manual Selection | Select name from list only | No badges, smaller teams (<50 employees) |
Kiosk Options Configuration
1. Barcode Source:
Visible only when Barcode/RFID method selected:
- Dedicated Scanner: USB barcode scanner connected to kiosk device
- Front Camera: Smartphone/tablet front camera scans badge
- Rear Camera: Smartphone/tablet rear camera scans badge
2. Employee PIN Identification:
Enable checkbox to require PIN entry:
- After selecting employee (manual) or scanning badge, PIN required
- PINs configured per employee in employee record
- Prevents unauthorized check-in using someone else's badge
3. Display Time:
Duration confirmation message displays before returning to main screen:
- Default: 5 seconds
- Range: 1-30 seconds
- Adjust based on employee reading speed
4. Attendance Kiosk URL:
Unique web address for kiosk access:
Example URL:
https://yourcompany.odoo.com/attendance/kiosk/abcdef123456Usage: Open URL in browser on kiosk device → instant kiosk mode (no login)
Bookmark URL on kiosk device for easy access
Activating Kiosk Mode
Method 1: From Attendances App
- Open Attendances app
- Click Kiosk Mode in top menu
- Device immediately switches to kiosk interface
- Odoo automatically logs out current user
- Kiosk remains in public mode
Method 2: Via Kiosk URL
- Copy URL from Attendance Kiosk URL field (Settings)
- Open browser on kiosk device
- Navigate to copied URL
- Kiosk interface loads immediately (no login)
- Bookmark for future access
Employee PIN Setup
Configure individual employee PINs:
- Go to Employees → Select Employee
- Click Settings tab
- Find PIN CODE field
- Enter 4-6 digit PIN
- Save employee record
Security Note: PINs should be unique per employee. Avoid obvious patterns (1234, employee ID). Employees keep PINs confidential preventing check-in fraud.
Check-In Methods
1. Badge/RFID Scan:
- Employee approaches kiosk
- Taps "Tap to Scan" icon (center screen)
- Scans badge barcode using configured scanner/camera
- System recognizes employee from barcode
- If PIN enabled: PIN entry screen appears
- Employee enters PIN → Confirms
- Check-in/out confirmed
- Confirmation message displays
2. RFID Key Fob:
- Employee holds RFID key fob near reader
- RFID reader detects fob automatically
- System identifies employee
- If PIN enabled: PIN entry required
- Check-in/out confirmed instantly
- Fastest method (2-3 seconds total)
3. Manual Selection:
- Employee taps "Identify Manually" button
- Employee list appears (all employees)
- Employee taps their name
- If PIN enabled: PIN entry screen shows
- "Welcome [Name]! Enter your PIN to check in"
- Employee enters PIN using number pad
- Taps OK
- Check-in/out confirmed
- Confirmation message displays
Confirmation Messages
Check-In Confirmation:
Welcome, John Smith!
8:30 AM - December 28, 2024
Hours Previously Today: 0:00
(If already checked in/out today, shows accumulated hours)
Check-Out Confirmation:
Goodbye, John Smith!
5:15 PM - December 28, 2024
Hours Today: 8:45
(Displays total hours worked today)
OK Button: Tap OK to return to main screen before auto-timeout (configured Display Time).
Complete Workflow Example
Scenario: Manufacturing Floor Kiosk with Badges + PIN
- Setup:
- Kiosk Mode: Barcode/RFID + Manual Selection
- Barcode Source: Dedicated Scanner
- Employee PIN: Enabled
- Display Time: 5 seconds
- Device: Tablet mounted near factory entrance
- Morning Arrival (8:30 AM):
- John Smith arrives, scans badge with barcode scanner
- Screen shows: "Welcome John! Enter PIN to check in"
- John enters 4-digit PIN: 7532
- Taps OK
- Confirmation: "Welcome John! 8:30 AM. Hours Previously Today: 0:00"
- Screen auto-returns to main kiosk after 5 seconds
- End of Shift (5:15 PM):
- John scans badge again
- Screen shows: "John, enter PIN to check out"
- Enters PIN: 7532
- Confirmation: "Goodbye John! 5:15 PM. Hours Today: 8:45"
- Kiosk ready for next employee
Best Practices
Use Dedicated Device Not Shared Computer: Kiosk on manager's desktop = manager needs computer, kiosk disabled. Dedicated tablet ($200) mounted near entrance = always available, no workflow interruption. Investment pays off in 2 weeks from eliminated attendance errors.
Enable PIN for Badge/RFID Systems: Badge-only authentication = employee A uses employee B's badge checking in for absent friend (buddy punching). Badge + PIN = both physical badge AND secret PIN required preventing fraud. Payroll accuracy improves 30% eliminating time theft.
Position Kiosk Near Entrance Not Deep Inside: Kiosk in manager's office = employees forget checking in, 20% missing check-ins monthly. Kiosk at main entrance = employees see immediately entering building, natural workflow integration, 98% check-in compliance.
Multiple Kiosk Setup
Large facilities may need multiple kiosks:
Example: Two-Building Campus
- Configure kiosk settings once (same for all kiosks)
- Copy Attendance Kiosk URL
- Building A Entrance: Tablet #1 opens kiosk URL
- Building B Entrance: Tablet #2 opens same kiosk URL
- Both terminals work identically
- Employees use nearest kiosk
- All check-ins centralized in same database
Conclusion
Odoo 18 Kiosk Mode transforms devices into dedicated attendance terminals through public URL access, multiple authentication methods (barcode/RFID/PIN/manual), instant check-in/out workflows, and automatic logout. Reduce attendance tracking time 95% (from 2-3 minutes to 5 seconds) eliminating unauthorized system access while ensuring payroll accuracy through locked-down public checkpoint interface perfect for manufacturing, retail, and office environments.
