In-app purchases (IAP)

In-app purchases (IAP) are optional services that enhance Odoo databases. Each service provides its own specific features and functionality. A full list of services is available on the Odoo IAP Catalog.

screenshot: essentials-iap-catalog
menu
(Odoo IAP Catalog website) iap.odoo.com
shows
The IAP catalog page listing the available in-app services.
module
iap
notes
Odoo SA website; crop to the service list.

Example

The SMS service sends text messages to contacts directly from the database, and the Snailmail service sends invoices by post.

IAP services do not need to be configured or set up before use. Odoo users can click on the service in the app to activate it. However, each service requires its own prepaid credits, and when they run out, users must buy more in order to keep using it.

Note

IAP services are provided by Odoo SA (or third parties) and are paid separately from the database: the credits are bought on Odoo SA’s IAP platform, independently of the hosting of the database.

IAP services

IAP services are provided by Odoo, as well as third-parties, and have a wide range of uses.

The following IAP services are used by Community modules:

  • Partner Autocomplete: automatically populates contact records with corporate data.

  • SMS: sends SMS text messages to contacts directly from the database.

  • Lead Generation: generates leads based on a set of criteria, and converts web visitors into quality leads and opportunities.

  • Snailmail: sends customer invoices and follow-up reports by post, worldwide.

Note

Some IAP services, such as document digitization (OCR), are only used by Enterprise modules and are therefore not available in this edition.

For more information on every service currently available (offered from developers other than Odoo), visit the Odoo IAP Catalog.

Use IAP services

IAP services are automatically integrated with Odoo, and do not require users to configure any settings. To use a service, interact with it wherever it appears in the database.

Example

The following flow focuses on the SMS IAP service being used from a contact’s record.

This can be done by clicking the SMS icon within the database.

screenshot: essentials-iap-sms-icon
menu
Contacts ‣ (a contact)
shows
Contact form with the mouse over the Mobile field, showing the SMS icon next to the number.
highlight
The SMS icon.
data
Demo contact with a mobile number.
module
sms, contacts
notes
English UI, crop to the phone fields.

One way to utilize the SMS IAP service with Odoo is showcased in the following steps:

First, navigate to the Contacts application, and click on a contact with a mobile phone number entered in either the Phone or Mobile field of the contact form.

Next, find the SMS icon that appears to the right of the Phone or Mobile fields. Click the SMS icon, and a Send SMS Text Message pop-up window appears.

Type a message in the Message field of the pop-up window. Then, click the Send SMS button. Odoo then sends the message, via SMS, to the contact, and logs what was sent in the chatter of the contact’s form.

Upon sending the SMS message, the prepaid credits for the SMS IAP service are automatically deducted from the existing credits. If there are not enough credits to send the message, Odoo prompts the user to purchase more.

See also

For more information on how to use various IAP services, and for more in-depth instructions related to SMS functionality in Odoo, review the documentation below:

IAP credits

Every time an IAP service is used, the prepaid credits for that service are spent. Odoo prompts the purchase of more credits when there are not enough credits left to continue using a service. Email alerts can also be set up for when credits are low.

Credits are purchased in Packs from the Odoo IAP Catalog, and pricing is specific to each service.

Example

The SMS service has four packs available, in denominations of:

  • Starter Pack: 10 credits

  • Standard Pack: 100 credits

  • Advanced Pack: 500 credits

  • Expert Pack: 1,000 credits

screenshot: essentials-iap-sms-packs
menu
(Odoo IAP website) SMS service page
shows
The four credit packs of the SMS service (Starter, Standard, Advanced, Expert).
module
sms
notes
Odoo SA website; crop to the packs.

The number of credits consumed depends on the length of the SMS and the country of destination.

For more information, refer to the SMS Pricing and FAQ documentation.

Buy credits

If there are not enough credits to perform a task, the database automatically prompts the purchase of more credits.

Users can check the current balance of credits for each service, and manually purchase more credits, by navigating to the Settings app ‣ Contacts section, and beneath the Odoo IAP setting, click View My Services.

Doing so reveals an IAP Service page, listing the various IAP services in the database. From here, click an IAP service to open its Account Information page, where additional credits can be purchased.

Manually buy credits

To manually buy credits in Odoo, follow these steps:

First, go to the Settings application and type IAP in the search bar. Alternatively users can scroll down to the Contacts section. Under the Contacts section, where it says Odoo IAP, click View My Services.

screenshot: essentials-iap-view-services
menu
Settings ‣ General Settings ‣ Contacts
shows
The Contacts section with the "Odoo IAP" setting and its "View My Services" link.
highlight
"View My Services".
module
iap
notes
English UI, crop to the section.

Doing so reveals an IAP Account page, listing the various IAP services in the database. From here, click an IAP service to open its Account Information page, where additional credits can be purchased.

On the Account Information page, click the Buy Credit button. Doing so loads a Buy Credits for (IAP Account) page in a new tab. From here, click Buy on the desired pack of credits. Then, follow the prompts to enter payment details, and confirm the order.

screenshot: essentials-iap-buy-pack
menu
(Odoo IAP website) Buy Credits page
shows
The "Buy Credits" page of the SMS service with the four packs and their Buy buttons.
module
iap, sms
notes
Odoo SA website; crop to the packs.

Once the transaction is complete, the credits are available for use in the database.

Low-credit notification

It is possible to be notified when credits are low, in order to avoid running out of credits, while using an IAP service. To do that, follow this process:

Go to the Settings application, and type IAP in the search bar. Under the Contacts section, where it says Odoo IAP, click View My Services.

The available IAP accounts appear in a list view on the IAP Account page. From here, click on the desired IAP account to view that service’s Account Information page.

Set the Email Alert Threshold to the credit amount that should trigger a low-credit alert when the balance falls below it. Next, select which user(s) should receive the email notification using the Email Alert Recipients field.