Activity Messenger Help Center

Point of Sale (POS)

Use the dedicated Point of Sale to build invoices and collect payments at a front desk or counter. Configure a location, shortcuts and accepted payment methods before serving clients. An administrator can also assist a client through the Online Store checkout; that is a separate interface with its own controls.

A Point of Sale (POS) is a physical location where you serve customers in person, such as a front desk, a store counter, or a table in your restaurant. You can create multiple POS locations.

Invoices associated with your POS are displayed on the left. In the center, you’ll find the current invoice. On the right, shortcuts (buttons) allow you to quickly add items to the invoice.

At the end of the day, you can review the Sales and Payments reports to track your transactions. These reports include a POS filter, allowing you to view sales by location.

Creating and configuring a POS

Click on the menu E-Commerce, Point of sale to get started. Then click on "+ Point of sale" to create your first POS. Give it a name and move on to the Shortcuts tab.

Shortcuts are buttons that will appear on the right, with quick access to sell items. These can be:

• Products
• Classes and events (i.e. drop-in)
• Event with ticket (i.e. single event with electronic ticket)
• Booking (i.e. court reservation)
• Custom (one-off items or fee)

Group of products

In addition, you can create shortcut that opens a group of products (grouped by tag). For example drinks.

Scanning SKUs

The POS supports barcode scanning for the products you sell. When scanned, an item is automatically added to the invoice. Before using this feature, ensure that the SKUs of your products are entered in the system (E-Commerce menu, Products).

You can connect any type of barcode scanner. Activity Messenger recommends one of these 2 models that can read barcodes and QR codes. These are 2D scanners (necessary for QR codes) that scan images on smartphones. Unlike other models, they are not affected by glare.

Handheld

Eyoyo Bluetooth Wireless Barcode Scanner, 1D 2D QR Code Scanner.

Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BLRTFK5N

This scanner is wireless and handheld. You can connect 2 to the same computer.

Wired

Eyoyo 1D 2D Desktop Barcode Scanner, Omnidirectional Hands-Free USB Wired Barcode Reader.

Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07SVZ5DK3

This scanner is wired and sits on a table or counter. It automatically scans when a barcode or QR code is placed in front of it.

Payment methods

You have total control on which payment methods can be used with the POS. Available choices are:

• Stripe Terminal
• Cash
• Credit card (your own terminal)
• Debit card (your own terminal)
• Check
• Other
• Gift card

Making a payment

Click on the green Pay button to make a payment. The popup will allow you to choose the payment method.

Send invoice to client

Invoices in the POS are not associated to a client. You can however send them the invoice by email or by text message. Click on the gray Send button to do so.

Printing the receipt

Receipt printing requires a thermal printer connected to the computer by a USB cable; network printers are not supported. We recommend the Rongta RP326 model available on Amazon.

First, enable receipt printing and add the Print button to the shortcuts in the POS configuration. Then use Instructions and Test your printer to connect and verify the printer.

Invoice - cancel and refund

If you need to cancel or refund, you can use the buttons on the invoice. These invoices have the same functionality as client invoices under E-Commerce, Invoices.

Choose a cash register mode

In the organization’s POS/payment settings, choose the register mode that fits your front desk:

• Do not require cash registers: administrators and attendants can transact without opening a register.
• One register per attendant: each attendant opens and closes their own daily register.
• Shared register for admins: attendants and administrators share one daily register; only one can be open at a time.

When the selected mode requires a register, open it before taking a POS payment. Use the register operations report to review openings, closings and cash movements. Register tracking does not replace checking invoice payment states.

Configure receipt printing and the cash drawer

Enable receipt printing in the POS configuration, connect the supported printer and use Instructions and Test your printer before serving clients. Organization payment settings also offer opening the cash drawer after printing, where compatible hardware is connected. Review the setting on the specific POS as well as organization defaults; enabling a printer does not connect or test the hardware for you.

Staff-assisted purchases with payment later

The organization’s payment settings include separate options allowing attendants to pay a booking package or product later in the Microsite Online Store. Enable only the workflows your staff need. Completing an unpaid purchase does not collect money; follow the remaining balance on its invoice. These store settings are distinct from configuring the dedicated POS payment choices.

Related workflows

Staff-assisted store checkout · Payments and register operations reports