Using Barcode Scanners with Orda Express Kiosk

The Barcode Scanner feature allows customers to scan products directly at the kiosk instead of searching for them on the screen. This creates a faster, more convenient ordering experience for grab-and-go items such as bottled beverages, packaged snacks, retail products, and bakery items.

Supported scanner: Socket Mobile S320

Purchase barcode scanner  (S320)

Purchase barcode scanner with NFC Support (S370)

How Barcode Scanning Works

Once a scanner has been connected to your kiosk, customers can:

1. Walk up to the kiosk

2. Scan a product barcode

3. Hear a confirmation sound

4. See the item immediately added to their basket

Customers do not need to learn a new workflow. The regular kiosk ordering experience remains unchanged.

Settings up SKU/GTIN Items in Square Catalog 

On the Square Dashboard Catalog (Items) 

1. Go to the Catalog Item then select the Item variation - 

2. Add the SKU or GTIN field with the full digits. 

Save the catalog in Square then Publish the items in your Orda dashboard (alternatively wait until the catalog updates automatically).

Connecting a Scanner

Step 1: Open Scanner Setup

On the kiosk setup screen:

1. Launch Orda Express

2. On the location selection screen, tap Connect Scanner

Note: This option appears alongside Connect Square Devices.

Step 2: Pair Your Scanner

Before using the scanner with Orda Express:

1. Turn on your Socket Mobile S320 scanner.

2. Put the scanner into Application Mode (refer to the scanner's quick start guide).

3. Open Settings → Bluetooth on the iPad.

4. Pair the Socket Mobile scanner.

5. Return to Orda Express.

Once connected, you will see:

• Connected status

• Scanner model

• Battery level (when available)

Example:

Connected
Socket Mobile S320

Testing Your Scanner

After connecting your scanner:

1. Open Connect Scanner

2. Locate the Test Mode section

3. Scan any barcode

The kiosk will display:

• The scanned barcode

• Whether the scan was successful

• Whether the product exists in your catalog

Test Mode never adds products to customer orders.

This feature is useful when:

• Installing a new scanner

• Verifying catalog changes

• Troubleshooting scanning issues

Customer Scanning Experience

Scanning on the Welcome Screen

By default, customers can scan a product immediately after approaching the kiosk.

When a customer scans:

• A new order automatically starts

• The scanned item is added to the basket

• The menu opens automatically

This allows customers to quickly build an order without first tapping the screen.

You can disable this behavior in the Scanner Settings if desired.

Scanning During an Order

While a customer is actively ordering:

1. The customer scans a barcode.

2. The kiosk identifies the matching product.

3. The item is added to the basket.

4. A confirmation sound plays.

5. The basket updates immediately.

No additional customer interaction is required.

Products That Can Be Scanned

Orda Express can identify products using:

UPC codes

Example:

628055419501

SKU codes

If a product does not have a UPC code, the SKU can be used instead.

Barcode matching occurs at the product variation level, allowing different sizes, prices, and inventory items to have their own barcodes.

Scanning the Same Item Multiple Times

Scanning the same product repeatedly increases the quantity.

Example:

Number of Scans

Basket Quantity

First scan

1

Second scan

2

Third scan

3

Products with Modifiers

Most products scan directly into the basket.

Examples:

• Bottled beverages

• Packaged snacks

• Retail merchandise

• Products with default options already configured

However, if a scanned product requires a customer choice that has no default selection, the kiosk will display the standard product options screen so the customer can complete their selection.

Examples:

• Choosing a required size

• Choosing a required flavor

• Choosing a required add-on

Scanner Settings

Open Connect Scanner to configure scanner behavior.

Available settings include:

Confirmation Sound

Choose one of:

• Beep 1

• Beep 2

• Beep 3

• Beep 4

• No Sound

Selecting No Sound disables all scanner sounds.

Start Order on Scan

When enabled (default):

• Scanning on the welcome screen automatically starts an order.

When disabled:

• Customers must first begin an order manually.

Scanner Enabled

Temporarily enables or disables barcode scanning without disconnecting the scanner.

Troubleshooting

The scanner does not scan

Check:

• The scanner is powered on

• The scanner is connected

• The battery is charged

• Scanner Enabled is turned on

You can verify scanner activity in Test Mode.

The scanner beeps but nothing is added

Possible causes:

• The barcode does not exist in your Square catalog

• The catalog needs to be refreshed

• Barcode scanning has been disabled

Use Test Mode to verify the scanned barcode.

"Product not found"

This means Orda Express could not find a matching UPC or SKU.

Verify that:

• The product exists in Square

• The barcode is assigned to the correct product variation

• The catalog has been refreshed

No item will be added to the customer's order.

"Barcode configuration error"

This occurs when multiple products share the same barcode.

To resolve:

1. Open your Square catalog.

2. Locate the duplicated barcode.

3. Assign a unique barcode to each product variation.

4. Refresh the kiosk catalog.

No item will be added until the barcode conflict is fixed.

The scanner disconnected

If the scanner disconnects:

1. Open Connect Scanner.

2. Reconnect the scanner.

3. Verify the connection status.

The kiosk itself will continue operating normally while the scanner is disconnected.

Best Practices

For the best customer experience:

• Assign a unique barcode to every product variation.

• Test newly added products before opening for service.

• Keep scanner batteries charged.

• Use Test Mode whenever catalog changes are made.

• Reserve barcode scanning primarily for grab-and-go and retail products.

Barcode scanning is designed to make ordering faster, easier, and more intuitive while preserving the existing Orda Express customer experience.