POS – Offline Ticket Selling

Overview

When a POS device loses internet connection, staff can continue selling Admissions and Events products offline. The POS securely stores the booking locally and prints a receipt with a unique external reference. Once the device reconnects, all offline bookings automatically sync to the Reservations Portal.

Offline selling ensures uninterrupted visitor flow, even in areas with limited connectivity.

Why It Matters

Offline mode allows teams to:

• Continue selling essential admission products when connectivity is unstable.
• Avoid queue delays or refusal of service during network outages.
• Ensure all bookings are captured, stored, and synced safely once back online.
• Provide guests with valid tickets printed locally for immediate entry.

This protects revenue, maintains operational continuity, and supports a smooth visitor experience.

Before You Start

• In offline mode, only admission and event products& add-ons can be sold.
• Memberships, entitlements, or any product requiring real-time validation will not appear.
• Payments available offline: Cash as well as record an external payment
• Depending on payment system, for example, axcept pro (dna) do support offline payments, where as others may require an online connection.

Selling Tickets in Offline Mode

1. Identify Offline Mode

The POS will automatically switch to offline when needed.

A banner appears: 'POS Device is in Offline Mode'

Available product buttons will appear. In this example: Palace Admission.

2. Select Your Product

Tap the available admission product.

3. Add Tickets

• Use the + button to add quantities (e.g., 2 tickets).
• Date & Time defaults to Today and the next available time slot.

• Tap Pay.

4. (Optional) Add-ons

If Add-ons are configured, staff will be prompted.

In the example, none were selected.

5. Capture Booking Details

Tap Capture details → the Country of Residence pop-up appears.

Staff can:

• Confirm the UK
• or
• Select another country.

The POS returns to the Payment screen.

6. Take Cash Payment

Under Accept payment, tap Cash.

On the Cash Payment screen:

• Tap Exact Amount (or choose £5/£10/£20/etc.).
• Select Receive.

7. Print Tickets Locally

The POS will print each ticket.

Tap Next until all items are printed.

The receipt includes an External Reference used to match offline bookings once synced.

8. Return to Home

After printing, the POS returns to the Home screen.

You will now see:

• A Syncing X bookings indicator
• Offline bookings queued locally

Tap Actions (rocket icon) to view syncing status.

9. Attempting to Refresh While Offline

If staff tap Refresh Bookings, a red block displays:

No Internet Connection

This shows the POS is still offline.

When the Device Goes Back Online

1. Automatic Sync

As soon as a connection is restored:

• The Offline Mode banner disappears.
• All queued offline bookings sync automatically.
• Additional products such as Memberships and other entitlements reappear.

2. Reviewing the Booking in Reservations Portal

The synced booking now appears in the Reservations Portal.

Staff can:

• Search for the booking
• Click the entry to open the preview
• Select View Order Details

3. External Reference Visibility

Offline bookings include an External Reference in the Order Details page.

This matches the reference printed on the offline receipt.

Online-only bookings will not show an external reference.

Understanding External References

When a transaction is performed offline:

• The POS generates a temporary offline external reference.
• This reference prints on the visitor’s receipt.
• After syncing, Reservations displays the external reference in the booking details.
• Staff can scan or search using the reference if needed.

This ensures the booking can always be identified, even if created without internet.

Best Practices

• Always issue printed receipts when offline, they contain the external reference.
• Keep device storage clear to avoid reaching local booking limits.
• Encourage staff to sync bookings as soon as back online.
• Verify that all offline bookings have synced before closing the shift.
• Avoid restarting the device during a sale to prevent partial transactions.
  

Troubleshooting

Summary

Offline ticket selling allows staff to continue operating seamlessly without internet connectivity. Admission products can be sold, paid via cash, and printed locally. Each offline sale creates an external reference, ensuring secure tracking and reconciliation once the device reconnects. When back online, all bookings sync automatically to the Reservations Portal, where staff can verify, redeem, or manage orders as usual.

Key Feature Highlights

Offline bookings upload and update automatically once online.

Booking not syncing immediately

Device still offline

Weak or unstable Wi-Fi

Bookings stored on the device until internet is restored.

Possible Cause

Cannot take card payments

Connectivity Alerts

Secure cash-only transactions when offline.

Switch to Cash

Automatic Syncing

'No Internet Connection' banner persists

Offline Mode Selling

Solution

Move closer to router / switch network

Card terminal requires connectivity

Membership products not visible

Tap Actions → Refresh once online

Clear visual banners for offline/online transitions.

Issue

Allows Admissions sales when no internet connection is available.

Background sync delay

Description

Cash Payments Offline

Local Booking Storage

External Reference

Check connectivity; reopen POS

Unique code printed on receipt and visible in Reservations for offline orders.

Local Ticket Printing

Feature

Physical tickets produced immediately for visitor entry.