Realizing a dream in the world of RETAIL !!
A few months ago, we celebrated with our friends at "Kolam" – the official opening of their wine and spirits store in Jaffa.
The store opening is accompanied by three days of a wine festival and special events. The store itself operates end-to-end on the Odoo system, with unique customizations that we implemented specifically for them.
Here’s how the story unfolded:
In a meeting with Aviv Sharfstein from RAS — a colleague from the retail technology world — Aviv shared that he was planning to fulfill a dream and open a chain of wine and spirits stores, where he would implement innovative technologies for the retail world.
Aviv asked whether Odoo might be a good fit. I was, of course, happy about the opportunity — and after a brief discussion about the engagement terms, Aviv added: “The store will open in two weeks with a soft launch for friends… and two weeks later — to the general public as well. There will be a festive ceremony and…” — and just like that, we were already in motion.
Since at Layline Tech we’re drawn to challenges, our team — led by Hed Shefer, together with Yonatan Shapir, Uri Segman, Shir (our designer), Uriel Arman, and Michael Hadar — jumped in and rose to the task.
As we were working, Aviv added that he’d “love” to operate the store without cashiers (self-checkout), that he likes Nayax’s hardware — and to the growing list of challenges we added UI design and development (for customers), plus integration with Nayax’s advanced kiosk station (including PINPAD, printer, and Android terminal).
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The ever-expanding scope under such a tight timeline reminded me of my early days as CIO at Shufersal, when the veterans taught me that with every store opening, it always seems impossible for everything to be ready on time — yet somehow, almost magically, at the exact appointed day and hour, what was total chaos suddenly comes together and plays in perfect harmony.
And so it was at “Kolem” as well: the very first transaction was successfully processed by the credit card company within two weeks of getting started.
Since then, we have completed and refined the user interface, integrated the purchasing processes, and inventory management. We taught the accountant to work with the Israeli localization we developed for ODOO ACCOUNTING, and assisted in defining the product catalog, designed a website in ODOO WEBSITE - to enable communication with customers in ODOO's unique multi-channel model.
The system allows loyalty club members to receive information and unique benefits: discounts, promotions, and coupons during purchases in the store, or to buy products on the website. ODOO's marketing tools have also come into play. The opening events officially took place in September 2024.
This short and intensive project proved once again that Odoo is truly a game changer in the retail world.
With The appropriate know-how, as we have atLayline Tech, the system allows for rapid, modular implementation of a customer-tailored end-to-end solution, providing an advanced user experience at an unmatched cost-benefit.
The story of Kolam
Beit Kolem is located near the Jaffa Flea Market — a place that is far more than just a wine shop. It is a gathering space for all of us, a place of unity and learning. Here you can enjoy kosher Israeli wine, art, vodka, unique gifts, live performances, Chassidut and Kabbalah classes, lectures, and community gatherings (including moving Selichot performances).
It is a circular ecosystem and a living covenant, with no intention of personal profit — only an idea, a place, and the collective. Every purchase flows back inward for the benefit of the space and the community.
The place is meant to connect the people of Israel through a shared experience of culture and values — to create opportunities to grow closer, to remember what unites .
