Duration: 25:21
PART 1 — Analytical Summary 🚀
Context and Why It Matters 💼
An Odoo presenter demystifies the Odoo IoT stack and showcases recent improvements aimed at making device integrations smoother, faster, and more reliable. The session targets implementers, partners, and customers who connect non-native hardware (scales, payment terminals, receipt/label printers, kiosks) to Odoo. It matters because IoT bridges real‑world operations and ERP workflows; getting it right reduces manual steps, errors, and setup friction—especially in retail, hospitality, and warehousing.
What the Odoo IoT Actually Is (and Isn’t) 🧠
The Odoo IoT is a bridge between Odoo and hardware that can’t communicate with Odoo via a native API. It relies on code-developed integrations for specific devices and protocols—so it’s not a magic box that makes any device work out of the box. You use IoT when you need bi‑directional, integrated flows (e.g., POS sending an amount to a payment terminal and receiving a response) or when you want automated, reliable printing without human steps.
You can avoid IoT if you’re okay with manual input or if your devices already expose a compatible API. For example, payment providers like Stripe, Adyen, and Viva Wallet integrate via API (no IoT needed), whereas legacy providers like Worldline and Ingenico typically require IoT. Certain compliance devices such as the Belgian blackbox mandate IoT. For printing, IoT brings click‑to‑print and report-to-printer routing that’s especially valuable in warehouses (labels, delivery notes, shipping labels).
When to Use It: A Practical Decision Framework ⚙️
Decide based on transaction volume, operation frequency, and willingness to change hardware. High‑throughput environments benefit from integration; sporadic use may justify manual steps. Kiosks and many ePOS printers are notably easier with IoT. Some receipt printers using specific protocols work best through IoT; others (e.g., certain “NEOS” models or network printers) can run without IoT if they have Ethernet/Wi‑Fi.
Physical vs. Virtual IoT
There are two form factors: a physical IoT (Raspberry Pi 4/5; image flashed to SD) and a virtual IoT (Windows service).
- The physical IoT embeds drivers and a CUPS print server, supports USB/network devices, and is priced at €25/month per IoT.
- The virtual IoT is free, Windows‑only, and relies on the host’s drivers. It’s ideal for a single PC with its own devices. For multi‑PC/tablet setups, the physical box is often simpler due to firewall and availability constraints.
How many IoTs do you need? Think in terms of networks, physical locations, and device proximity. Different shops or segmented networks need separate IoTs. USB‑attached devices are limited by the four USB ports on the physical box. Some legacy payment terminals require one IoT per terminal due to exclusive communication paths.
Networking, Security, and Subscription Basics 💬
Networking is pivotal. Historically, IoT and Odoo had to be on the same network; firewalls, guest networks, subnets from Wi‑Fi extenders, and multi‑router NAT could break detection. Best practices include static IPs (critical for ePOS printers and some payment terminals), preferring Ethernet over Wi‑Fi, using Cloudflare/Google DNS per docs, and avoiding guest networks. Multi‑router setups should use bridge mode to prevent conflicting DHCP.
Security uses an SSL certificate tied to an active Odoo IoT subscription line. Without the subscription line, configuration stalls. As of recent versions, the SSL process is more forgiving during initial setup.
What’s New in Odoo 18.3 and Recent Releases ⚙️
The release focuses on setup simplicity, broader connectivity, and resilience:
- Cross‑network device access via websockets and WebRTC expands beyond same‑LAN constraints for supported scenarios. You can now print reports or use certain devices (e.g., receipt printers and the blackbox) across networks, with faster responses and better reliability—even on flaky networks.
- Auto‑connect discovers IoT boxes in your network from within Odoo—no second screen, printer pairing code, or manual IP hunting required in most cases.
- SSL certificates are provisioned automatically for 60 days, giving customers time to complete commercial formalities without blocking configuration.
- Improved device flows: auto‑detection of printers/scales, in‑database “test print,” and easier assignment of an IoT to specific POS configurations.
- Physical box UX: status LEDs (steady red/no internet; blinking green/internet but no DB; solid green/connected) and a QR‑assisted Wi‑Fi setup flow. Ethernet remains recommended for stability.
Real-World Device Notes
IoT is required or recommended for scales, Belgian blackbox, and many legacy payment terminals. Some receipt printer families need IoT; NEOS/networked variants can skip IoT if they support Ethernet/Wi‑Fi. For kiosks, IoT streamlines a notoriously finicky setup. Devices like electronic shelf labels and cash machines can work via API without IoT. ZPL printing can run without IoT, but IoT makes automated label printing straightforward.
Q&A Highlights
- USB hubs on the IoT box are not recommended and typically won’t work reliably.
- You can purchase the physical IoT via Odoo; adding the IoT subscription line triggers fulfillment.
- You can bring your own Raspberry Pi (models 3/4/5 per docs), but you must flash the official Odoo IoT image.
- Virtual IoT can run on a Windows server or VM.
- Custom drivers are possible with development work.
- Sending the same report to multiple printers seems feasible but should be tested per setup.
- A public compatibility list exists for officially supported integrations.
Impact and Takeaways 🚀
Odoo is turning IoT setup from a network science project into a guided, discoverable experience. Autoconnect, temporary automatic SSL, and modern transports (websockets/WebRTC) compress time‑to‑value and reduce DNS/firewall headaches. For operations teams, this means fewer manual steps, robust click‑to‑print in busy warehouses, and cleaner POS payment flows. For IT, it means clearer prerequisites (subscription line, static IPs, Ethernet, DNS choice) and predictable scaling across locations and networks. The message is pragmatic: use IoT where it saves time or meets compliance, skip it where strong APIs already exist, and favor the physical box for multi‑station reliability.
PART 2 — Viewpoint: Odoo Perspective
Disclaimer: AI-generated creative perspective inspired by Odoo's vision.
Our goal has always been to make integration invisible. If connecting a printer or a payment terminal feels like work, we haven’t finished the job. With autoconnect, temporary SSL, and modern transports, we’re removing the biggest blockers so customers can focus on selling, shipping, and serving—not debugging networks.
The community taught us where IoT hurts: multi‑site networks, flaky Wi‑Fi, and device sprawl. We chose simplicity and openness—support APIs where they’re strong, provide a robust bridge where they’re not, and keep the platform hackable for custom drivers. As more devices become “Odoo‑ready,” the experience will keep getting faster and more delightful.
PART 3 — Viewpoint: Competitors (SAP / Microsoft / Others)
Disclaimer: AI-generated fictional commentary. Not an official corporate statement.
Odoo’s recent IoT work materially improves implementation UX and lowers the barrier for SMBs—autodiscovery, cross‑network connectivity, and guided setup reduce the traditional friction we see in device onboarding. It’s a smart focus that aligns with their integrated suite narrative.
At scale, the usual enterprise concerns remain: multi‑site governance, high availability, centralized policy enforcement, audit trails for regulated industries, and long‑term device lifecycle management. Per‑terminal IoT requirements and Windows‑only virtual agents may complicate large global rollouts. That said, the direction is right—stronger transports and simplified provisioning are steps toward enterprise‑grade resilience without sacrificing usability.
PART 4 — Blog Footer Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This article contains AI-generated summaries and fictionalized commentaries for illustrative purposes. Viewpoints labeled as "Odoo Perspective" or "Competitors" are simulated and do not represent any real statements or positions. All product names and trademarks belong to their respective owners.