Login, employee PIN and opening a shift — Paloma POS 2

This article is about Paloma POS 2 — the new Paloma cash register app for a tablet, POS terminal, or Windows device. Signing in has two levels: first the device logs in with the account and workplace (done once), then each employee signs in with their PIN. After that the cashier opens a shift — selling and taking payment are not possible until the shift is open. If you are not sure which product you have, start with «How to tell you have Paloma POS 2».

Overview

• Level 1 — account and workplace. The device logs in with the account login and workplace login, usually once at first launch — see «Install and first launch».
• Level 2 — employee by PIN. On the sign-in screen the employee types their PIN on the number pad and lands on the home menu. Switching operators on the device is done by PIN, without logging in with the account again.
• Switching operators and locking. The «Exit» row in the side menu returns the register to the PIN screen while keeping the workplace login. Another employee signs in with their PIN — no need to re-enter the account.
• Shift. Opened with «Open Shift» and applies to the whole workplace until it is closed. You can add an opening cash float to the drawer when you open it.

Employee sign-in by PIN

Once the device has logged in with the account and workplace, the register shows a sign-in screen with a number pad and the prompt «Enter Passcode»:

1. The employee types their PIN.
2. The register opens the home menu with tiles (quick sale, tables, reports, settings, and others) — limited to the rights granted to that employee.

The employee PIN is set by the administrator in the web dashboard, «Employees» section. If a PIN is lost, the administrator changes it there — a PIN cannot be reset on the register.

The sign-in screen also shows the current «Account» and «Workplace», plus a status indicator: «Online» / «Offline», the sync queue, and shift state («Shift open» / «Shift closed»). This tells you whether the register is ready before you even sign in.

The PIN screen also has a contact card: a «Paloma support» block with the support phone number and — if a partner company services your account — a «Service» block with their phone and email. These are the contacts to reach if you cannot sign in. The details come from the account automatically and stay on screen even offline — nothing to set up on the register.

Switching operators, locking and «Exit»

To hand the register to another operator you do not need a full account sign-out — just return to the PIN screen:

1. Open the side menu (menu icon in the corner).
2. Tap the «Exit» row.
3. The register closes the menu and returns to the PIN screen, keeping the workplace login.
4. The next employee enters their PIN and goes straight to the menu — no account login required.

«Exit» works the same way from the kitchen and order-ready screens: the register returns to the PIN screen instead of leaving the operator stranded on the board. Use «Exit» as a quick lock when you step away from the terminal: open orders on the device are kept and reappear after the next sign-in.

A full account sign-out (not just switching operators) is a separate «Sign out» action in settings or the management menu; it returns the register to the account login screen. You do not need it for a normal operator change.

Opening a shift

Selling and taking payment are only possible while a shift is open. You can open it from the open-shift screen or right when you try to take payment:

1. Tap «Open Shift» (the screen is titled «Open Shift»). If you try to take payment while the shift is closed, the register offers to open it and shows «Open shift and continue».
2. In «Opening cash float (optional)» enter the cash already in the drawer at the start of the shift. The field hint is «Leave blank to skip»: if there is no float, you can leave it empty.
3. Confirm. The shift opens for the whole workplace; the register records the time and the employee.

The float is used to compute the expected cash balance at shift close, so enter it accurately. For closing a shift and cash reconciliation, see «Closing a shift».

If the employee has no right to open a shift, the register shows «Shift closed» with the note «Contact a manager to open the shift.» — an employee with the right will open it.

Common problems

• "Не удалось подтвердить сохранённый вход. Войдите снова." — the stored session expired; sign in normally.
• "Защищённое хранилище устройства недоступно.", "Не удалось сбросить данные входа (код {code})…" — the app cannot read or clear the device secure storage, usually because of antivirus or device protection; a normal sign-in is required afterwards.
• "Ошибка аутентификации" — check the login and password; if it repeats, message us here.
• "Не удалось отправить письмо для восстановления…" / "Не удалось отправить запрос. Позвоните нам: {phone}" — the recovery request did not go out: check the connection and retry.
• «Wrong PIN. Try again.» — the PIN is incorrect. Check and try again. PINs are changed by the administrator in the web dashboard, «Employees» section.
• «This employee is not allowed at this workplace.» — the employee is not linked to this workplace. The administrator sets this up in the web dashboard.
• «No connection. Try again when you are online.» — the register could not verify sign-in because there is no internet. Check the connection and retry.
• «Session expired. Sign in again.» — the saved sign-in is stale; sign in again with your PIN.
• «Open the shift before taking payment.» — you are trying to take payment while the shift is closed. Tap «Open Shift» and retry.
• «Shift closed» — «Contact a manager to open the shift.» — the current employee has no right to open a shift. An employee with the right will open it.
• «There are no workplaces available for this account yet.» — the device is not linked to any workplace. Ask the administrator to add the device to a workplace, then sign out and back in.

FAQ

How is «Exit» different from a full account sign-out?

«Exit» in the side menu returns the register only to the PIN screen and keeps the workplace login — a fast operator change or terminal lock. A full account sign-out («Sign out» in settings) returns the register to the account login screen; after it you must enter the workplace login again. For a normal operator change, use «Exit».

An employee forgot their PIN. What now?

The administrator changes the PIN in the web dashboard, «Employees» section. The employee then signs in with the new PIN — no need to reinstall the register.

Do I have to enter a float every time I open a shift?

No. «Opening cash float (optional)» can be left blank. But if the drawer already holds cash, enter it — otherwise the expected balance at shift close will not match.

One employee opened the shift and another is working. Is that OK?

Yes. The shift belongs to the workplace, not the employee: operators switch via «Exit» and their own PIN, and each person's sales are recorded to whoever signed in.

Why won't the register let me take payment?

Most likely the shift is not open. Tap «Open Shift» (or «Open shift and continue» in the payment dialog) and retry. For more on payment, see «Taking payment».