Startup, database connection and login — Paloma365 Classic (Windows POS)

This article covers Paloma365 Classic — the POS application for Windows: how it starts, connects to its database (including the database on the main computer of the location), signs in to the Paloma365 cloud and lets an employee into a working interface, plus what the startup and login messages mean.

The POS runs only one copy at a time

• Where: starting the POS while it is already running → message «Программа уже запущена» ("The program is already running"), in an «Информация» ("Information") window that closes by itself after 2 seconds.
• What happens: the second copy does not start; the window of the running POS ("Paloma365. Front-Office") flashes on the taskbar and is brought to the front.
• Notes: if the POS "won't open", check the taskbar — it is most likely already running and minimized.

Splash screen: version and loading stages

• Where: POS start → splash screen with the logo, version number, the "Pre-release" («Предрелиз») label and the current stage.
• Stages: "Connection to database..." («Подключение к базе...»), "Authorization in cloud..." («Авторизация в облаке...»), "Session creation..." («Создание сессии...»), "Loading the configuration..." («Загрузка конфигурации...»), "Loading the data..." («Загрузка данных...»).
• Notes: if online-fiscalization or payment modules are enabled and their versions are below the required minimum, the POS lists those modules and asks "Continue program launch anyway?" («Всё равно продолжить запуск программы?») — the modules need updating. If sign-in or the database connection fails, the program closes without a separate message on the splash screen — contact support.

First-run database wizard: "Step 1", "Step 2", "Step 3"

• Where: first start (or after "Change database") → the "Paloma365" window with a step indicator: "Step 1" (Database name), "Step 2" (Creation of the database), "Step 3" (General settings); buttons "Next" («Далее») and "Exit" («Выход») at the bottom.
• Step 1: field "Paloma365 database name" («Имя базы данных Paloma365»), hint "Example: Paloma365Account". It is pre-filled with the account login. Only Latin letters, digits, dot, "_" and "-" are allowed.
• How it works: pressing "Next" on Step 1 immediately tries to connect. Once connected, the wizard is not shown again — the POS connects by itself.
• Notes: if no database name is set yet, a cloud sign-in window appears before the wizard, only to learn the account name. This needs internet: without it you get "Failed to authorize using login and password..." («Не успешная попытка авторизации по логину и паролю...») and the first start cannot be completed.

No database server: the "MySQL or MariaDB" block and "Install"

• Where: wizard → "Step 1" → block "MySQL or MariaDB" («MySQL или MariaDB») saying the server is required but was not found → button "Install" («Установить»).
• When it appears: MySQL is not registered as installed on the computer, or the MySQL service is missing.
• What the button does: runs the database server installer shipped with the program; if the installer is not next to the program — "Failed to setup!" («Не удалось выполнить установку!»).
• Notes: the block is only a hint and blocks nothing. An additional POS that works with the main computer's database does not need its own server.

Entering MySQL connection parameters manually

• Where: wizard → "Step 2" → parameters panel: "MySQL server address" («Адрес сервера MySQL»), "MySQL connection port" («Порт подключения к MySQL»), "MySQL connection user" («Пользователь для подключения к MySQL»), "MySQL connection password" («Пароль для подключения к MySQL») → "Connect" («Подключиться»).
• Opening the panel: it opens by itself after a failed connection; the icon button to the right of "Connect" also shows or hides it.
• Notes: working parameters are remembered on this computer. Possible errors: "No connection to database: Database server is not responding" or «Нет подключения к БД: Удаленный компьютер: <address> не отвечает. Проверьте подключение» ("remote computer is not responding, check the connection") — which one depends on the previously saved server address; if the server rejects the credentials, the message contains "Incorrect login and password for MySQL" («Неверный логин или пароль для MySQL»).

Database not found — the POS offers to create it

• Where: wizard → "Connect" → "Database <name> was not found! Create?" («База <имя> не найдена! Хотите создать?») → "Yes".
• What happens: the POS creates the database, reconnects and builds its structure; the location's data arrives with the cloud synchronization.

"Network credentials" on an additional POS

• Where: wizard → "Step 2" → checkbox "Network credentials" («Сетевые учётные данные») → a search button appears next to the server address.
• Setup: first create the network account on the main computer (see below). On the additional POS tick the checkbox, enter the main computer's address or find it with the search button, and press "Connect".
• Notes: the search button tooltip reads «Сначала войдите в аккаунт (авторизуйтесь), затем выполните поиск сервера.» ("Sign in to the account first, then search for the server."). The POS recognizes its own server by the account and location data known after the cloud sign-in; before sign-in, found servers are shown as «Доступен» ("Available").

Creating the network account on the main computer

• Where: main screen → "MENU" → "Settings" → tab "Account settings" («Настройки аккаунта») → "Network access:" → button "Create network credential" («Создать сетевой аккаунт»).
• Result: the label "IP: <address> Network credentials were created" («Сетевые учётные данные созданы»).
• Where it runs: on the main computer, where the database server is installed.
• Notes: the POS tries to open the database port in Windows Firewall itself. If that fails (administrator rights are needed), a warning asks you to open the inbound port manually, otherwise other workplaces will not connect.

Searching for the database server on the local network

• Where: wizard → "Step 2" → "Network credentials" → search button → window «Поиск сервера базы данных» ("Database server search") with columns «IP-адрес» (IP address), «Точка (idap)» (location), "Account", «Активность» (activity), "Status" and buttons «Искать заново» (search again), «Использовать выбранный» (use selected), "Exit".
• How it works: the POS scans the local network and keeps only computers whose server accepted the credentials and has a database with the right name. Statuses: «Наш сервер» (our server), «Другая точка» (another location), «Ваш аккаунт» (your account), «Другой аккаунт» (another account), «Доступен» (available). A double-click on a row equals "use selected", after which the POS connects.
• Notes: if nothing is found — «Серверы не найдены. Проверьте, включён ли главный компьютер и доступна ли сеть.» ("No servers found. Check that the main computer is on and the network is available."). "Use selected" is disabled while scanning; closing the window during a scan first shows «Остановка поиска...» (stopping the search). If "our server" is found, it is listed first and preselected.

An additional POS looks for the main computer at startup

• Where: starting a POS that works with another computer's database → window «Поиск сервера» ("Server search") with a running indicator and «Идёт поиск сервера базы данных в сети, подождите...» ("Searching for the database server on the network, please wait...").
• When: the POS has connected to a network database before, and the database no longer answers at the saved address (for example, the main computer's address changed).
• Result: the POS picks its own server or, if it cannot identify it, the most recently active reachable server with the right database, and connects at the new address. If nothing is found, the connection wizard opens for manual entry.

Losing the connection to the main computer during work

• How it works: the POS checks the database connection every 10 seconds. If the database is on another computer and the connection drops, the POS scans the network itself («Сканирование сети, подождите...», scanning the network) and reconnects.
• On success: «Сервер базы данных найден по новому адресу: <address>» ("Database server found at a new address") — shown when no other window is open. After an outage of 45 seconds or longer, the POS reloads the menu and reference data.
• On failure: «Не удалось найти основной компьютер в сети…» ("Could not find the main computer on the network. Check: 1) the main computer is on 2) it is connected to the network 3) both computers are on the same network") with buttons "Retry" («Повторить») and "Close the program" («Закрыть программу») — the latter closes the POS immediately.
• Notes: the automatic search works only if the POS has already signed in to the cloud with this database.

Losing the connection to a database on the same computer

• Where: when the local database drops → message «Отсутвует подключение к базе данных! … "Да" - установить подключение, "Нет" - закрыть программу.» ("No connection to the database! Check the connection to the computer with the database. Yes — reconnect, No — close the program.")
• How it works: "Yes" shows «Подготовка к поиску...» (preparing) while the POS tries to reconnect for about 2.5 seconds; if it fails, the question returns at the next check 10 seconds later. "No" closes the program at once.
• Notes: this message is about a database on the same computer; a common cause is a stopped MySQL service. The typo «Отсутвует» is in the program itself.

The "Visual quality" slider

• Where: wizard → "Step 3" (General settings) → slider "Visual quality" («Визуальное качество»); the same slider is also in the POS settings.
• How it works: two positions. In the wizard the slider defaults to full quality. The simplified position turns off gradients and font smoothing on the main screen, the splash screen and working windows — for slow computers.

Workplace cloud login window

• Where: POS start → "Paloma365" window: «Логин "Личного кабинета Paloma365"» (Paloma365 account login, hint "Example: Paloma365Account"), «Логин "Рабочего места"» (workplace login, "Example: TradePoint"), «Пароль "Рабочего места"» (workplace password), checkbox "Remember" («Запомнить»), buttons "Enter" («Вход»), "Exit" («Выход»), "Support" («Поддержка»).
• Setup: the account login and the workplace login and password are created in the Paloma365 web dashboard. The POS combines the final login as "<workplace login>.<account login>". All three fields are required, otherwise "Incorrect login and password!" («Неверно введены логины или пароль!»). Enter on the "Enter" button acts as a click.
• Notes: "Exit" closes the login window and the program. After sign-in the cloud sends the location and workplace names, payment status, partner details and the modules enabled for the account. If the cloud refuses the login, its error text is shown in a message.

Automatic login without the login window

• Where: start → splash "Authorization in cloud..." → straight to the main screen.
• How it works: the POS first tries to continue the previous session (this does not depend on "Remember"); if that fails and "Remember" was ticked, it signs in with the saved login and password.
• If it fails: the login window appears (fields filled in if "Remember" was on); a cloud message, e.g. about a block or an outdated version, is shown as "Server response: …" («Ответ сервера: …»).
• Changing the account: "Settings" → "Account settings" → "Change account" («Сменить аккаунт»). The POS first warns to make sure all orders are uploaded and the shift is closed; if a sync is running, it asks you to wait for it to finish. The operation signs out, erases the local POS settings and closes the program; then start the POS again — it begins with the initial setup.

Workplace login without internet

• Where: login window → "Enter" without a cloud connection → main screen; at the bottom right the red indicator "HTTP lost connection to the cloud" / «HTTPS нет связи с облаком».
• Condition: this database already had a successful online login with the same login and password — the POS keeps the workplace data in its database.
• Notes: without such data you get «Неверно введены логины или пароль...» ("Incorrect login and password..."). When internet returns, the POS re-checks the login in the background; if the cloud refuses (e.g. the account is blocked), the saved offline-login data is deleted.

Computer time is synchronized with the server at login

• How it works: on every online login the POS sets the computer clock from the server.
• If it cannot: with a difference of 5 minutes or more — "Failed to set the correct system date and time!" («Установить правильную системную дату и время не удалось!») with advice to set the correct time or the location time zone in the dashboard (Menu -> Sales points -> Directories -> Trading point -> Open -> Time zone) and the server time (about 10 seconds); then Windows date/time settings open and the program closes.
• Notes: usual causes are a wrong location time zone in the dashboard or missing Windows rights to change the time.

Working without internet for 14 and 15 days

• 15 days without the cloud: entering an interface shows "Program had no access to internet in the last 15 days. Connect the internet!" and entry is refused.
• 14 days: the cashier, sales and floor-plan screens show the same warning for 14 days. It also appears when the POS has unsent orders older than 14 days.
• Computer time: if the computer time is more than 5 minutes earlier than the last saved order — "Current computer time and date is less than last saved order!" and entry is refused.
• Notes: the last-online date is updated on every online login.

Database created under another account

• Where: login → "A discrepancy between the data of the current "Account" and the data in the "Local Database" was detected. Continue?" («Обнаружено не соответсвие данных…»)
• "Yes": work continues with this database under the current account.
• "No": the POS tries to connect to a database named after the account login; if that fails, the connection wizard opens.

Employee login with a personal code or card

• Where: main screen → "To enter, swipe your card or enter password" → numeric keypad (0–9, ".", delete, clear) → "Confirm" («Подтвердить») or Enter. Characters are masked with asterisks.
• Setup: the employee code (digits only) is set in the dashboard: Employees → employee → tab "Main" («Основное») → field "Password" («Пароль»); it reaches the POS by synchronization. A card reader or scanner that types the code like a keyboard also works. Clicking the icon next to the field shows the hint "Employee password to enter".
• Wrong code: "Wrong password!" («Неверный пароль!») with advice to use an existing employee's code and, after creating or changing an employee, to run Menu → Sync and try again.
• Notes: with NumLock off, the numeric keypad still types digits. The code is not case-sensitive.

Employee code rejected: location data not loaded yet

• Where: main screen → code → "Please sync one more time..." («Пожалуйста выполните синхронизацию еще раз...») or "Program is trying to sync again, please wait!".
• When: the location's data has not yet arrived in the local database — usually right after the first connection to an empty database.
• What happens: if no sync is running, the POS marks the data for a full load on the next sync; if one is running, it requests it again.
• What to do: provide internet and wait for the full synchronization; until it finishes no interface can be opened.

Employee rejected: "system user", workplace, interfaces

• Messages: "<Name> The employee does not have the "system user" option enabled!", "<Name> Employee doesn't have access to this workplace! There are no available interfaces for the employee", "<Name> Employee can not start working, because he does not have available interfaces!" — each with a "HELP: …" hint.
• Fix in the dashboard: Employees → employee → tab «Основное» (Main) → enable «Разрешить вход в систему» ("Allow system login"; the POS message calls it "system user"); tab «Доступы» (Access) → «Рабочие места» (Workplaces) and «Интерфейсы Кассовой программы» (POS interfaces). Then on the POS: Menu → Sync.
• Notes: the message «Сессия данного сотрудника занята!» ("This employee's session is busy") does not appear in practice.

Choosing a working interface after entering the code

• Where: main screen → code → with one interface available it opens at once; with several, tiles with the name and a number in the corner appear.
• How to choose: click a tile or press its number key; Esc or a click on the background returns to the keypad.
• Setup: tiles are the interfaces assigned to the employee in the dashboard, provided the employee is allowed on this workplace; names come from the cloud. The «Тарификаторы» (Tariffs) tile shows only when the tariff module is enabled for the account.
• Notes: while a payment is in progress the interface cannot be switched: «Идёт оплата, дождитесь её завершения» ("Payment in progress, wait for it to finish"). Entering and leaving an interface is recorded in the POS event journal.

Most interfaces require an open shift

• Where: interface tile with the shift closed → if the employee has the «Кассир» (Cashier) interface, the POS offers to open the shift right away; otherwise "Shift has not started!" («Смена не открыта!»).
• Available without an open shift: «Кассир» (Cashier), «Фасовка» (Packing), «Склад» (Warehouse), «Курьер» (Courier).
• Shift duration check: if "Check shift hours count" («Проверять кол-во часов в смене») is enabled in Settings → "General settings" → «Расширение режимов» (mode extensions), entering shows «Смена открыта более N часов назад» ("Shift opened more than N hours ago").