BOPIS Technology Stack: POS, Inventory & Notifications (2025)

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You can't just flip a switch and have BOPIS working. I learned this the hard way when helping a local sporting goods chain launch store pickup—their website said items were "available," but store staff had no idea orders existed until customers showed up frustrated.

The problem wasn't their people. It was their technology—or lack of integration between systems. Their e-commerce platform, POS, and inventory management weren't talking to each other. Orders fell into a black hole.

Here's what I'll show you: the complete BOPIS technology stack that actually works, from order placement to pickup completion. You'll see which systems you need, how they integrate, what metrics to track, and real solutions retailers are using right now. Whether you're on Shopify or building custom, this guide maps the entire architecture.

The 5 Core BOPIS Technology Components

Each component solves a specific problem in the BOPIS workflow. Let's break down why each matters:

Component #1: E-commerce Platform

This is where customers shop and checkout. It must support location-based inventory ("Check availability at stores near you"), allow customers to select pickup vs delivery, show estimated ready times, and send order data to the OMS.

Examples: Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Magento, custom builds on frameworks like Next.js

Component #2: Order Management System (OMS)

The OMS is mission control. It receives orders from the e-commerce platform, determines which store should fulfill based on inventory and location, sends picking instructions to store staff, tracks order status (pending → picking → ready → picked up), and handles exceptions (cancellations, out-of-stock).

Examples: Many e-commerce platforms include basic OMS; enterprise retailers use Brightpearl, NetSuite, Cin7, or custom systems

Component #3: Point of Sale (POS) System

Store staff use the POS to see incoming pickup orders, mark items as picked and staged, print pickup slips with QR codes, and complete the pickup transaction when customers arrive. The POS must handle "Ready for Pickup" workflows differently than regular in-store sales.

Examples: Shopify POS, Square, Clover, Lightspeed, Toast (restaurants), Vend, custom POS integrations

Component #4: Inventory Management

Real-time inventory sync ensures the website shows accurate stock at each store. When an order is placed for pickup, that inventory is immediately reserved. When picked up (or canceled), inventory updates across all systems. Without this, you promise items you don't have.

Examples: Built into most platforms; enterprise uses TradeGecko, Cin7, NetSuite Inventory, custom ERP systems

Component #5: Notification System

Automated emails and SMS keep customers informed: order confirmation, "we're preparing your order," "ready for pickup," and "don't forget to pick up" reminders. According to Shopify's BOPIS research, clear communication is the #1 driver of customer satisfaction with pickup services.

Examples: Klaviyo, Twilio, SendGrid, built-in platform notifications, custom notification services

How BOPIS Systems Integrate: The Complete Architecture

Here's the data flow from the moment a customer clicks "Place Order" to picking up their purchase:

Step 1: Customer Places Order (E-commerce Layer)

• Customer adds items to cart on website/app
• Checkout shows "Delivery" and "Pickup" options
• For pickup, customer selects preferred store location
• System checks inventory at that location in real-time
• Customer completes payment (order is now paid)
• E-commerce platform sends order details to OMS

Step 2: Order Routing (OMS Layer)

• OMS receives order, validates store location has inventory
• If selected store is out of stock, OMS can suggest alternative stores or cancel line items
• OMS reserves inventory (marks as "allocated to order #12345")
• OMS sends picking instructions to store's POS system
• Order appears on store's "Orders to Pick" queue
• OMS triggers "Order Confirmed" notification to customer

Step 3: Store Staff Pick Order (POS Layer)

• Staff see new order on POS or dedicated picking device (tablet/handheld)
• Staff locate items in store (aisles shown if system has location mapping)
• Staff scan items to verify accuracy
• Staff bag order, attach label with order number and customer name
• Staff stage order in designated pickup area (shelf, locker, or fridge)
• Staff mark order "Ready for Pickup" in POS

Step 4: Customer Notification (Notification Layer)

• When staff mark "Ready," POS sends status update to OMS
• OMS triggers "Your Order Is Ready" email/SMS to customer
• Message includes pickup location, hours, what to bring (ID, confirmation code)
• Customer receives notification within 1-2 minutes of order being staged

Step 5: Customer Pickup (POS Layer)

• Customer arrives at store (in-store counter or curbside)
• For curbside: Customer taps "I'm Here" in app; staff see notification and bring order out
• For in-store: Customer shows ID and order number at counter
• Staff scan pickup barcode/QR code or manually find order in POS
• Staff verify ID matches order name
• Staff hand over order, mark "Picked Up" in POS
• POS updates OMS: order complete, inventory now officially sold

Step 6: Post-Pickup (All Systems)

• If customer doesn't pick up within hold window (3-7 days), OMS auto-cancels
• Canceled items return to available inventory
• Customer receives refund
• System can send "we miss you" message or ask why they didn't pick up (feedback loop)

E-commerce Platform Layer: Where BOPIS Starts

Your online store is the customer-facing entry point. Here's what it must do for BOPIS:

Required E-commerce Features

• Pickup option at checkout: Clearly labeled "Store Pickup" or "Pick Up Today"
• Store locator with inventory: "Check stores near you" → shows which locations have stock
• Estimated ready time: "Ready in 2 hours" or "Ready by 5pm today"
• Store-specific details: Address, hours, pickup instructions before order completion
• Order confirmation email: With pickup location, what to bring, and tracking link

Best E-commerce Platforms for BOPIS

Shopify: Built-in local pickup at checkout, location-based inventory, integrates seamlessly with Shopify POS. For most indie and mid-market retailers, this is the easiest path. According to Shopify's setup documentation, you can enable pickup in under 30 minutes.

BigCommerce: Supports pickup via native features or apps like Store Pickup + Delivery. Good for brands needing more customization than Shopify offers.

WooCommerce: Requires plugins like "WooCommerce Local Pickup Plus" or "Order Delivery Date." More technical setup but flexible for developers.

Magento: Enterprise-grade with complex multi-location inventory and pickup capabilities. Overkill for most retailers; best for large chains.

Custom Builds: If you're building on Jamstack (Next.js, Gatsby, etc.), you'll integrate with Stripe, Shopify Storefront API, or headless commerce platforms. You have full control but must build pickup logic yourself.

Mobile App Considerations

If you have a branded mobile app, ensure it supports:

• Pickup selection at checkout (same as website)
• "I'm Here" button for curbside (sends notification to store staff)
• Order tracking with status updates
• Push notifications for "ready for pickup" alerts

Target's app is the gold standard here—seamless Drive Up experience with real-time staff coordination.

Order Management System (OMS): The Brain of BOPIS

The OMS is often invisible to customers but critical to operations. It decides which store fulfills which order, tracks status, and handles exceptions.

Key OMS Capabilities for BOPIS

• Intelligent routing: If a customer selects a store that's out of stock, OMS can suggest nearest alternative or split order across locations
• Inventory reservation: When order placed, inventory allocated immediately (prevents double-selling)
• Status tracking: Pending → Picking → Ready → Picked Up → Complete (or Canceled)
• Exception handling: Out of stock, damaged item, customer requests cancellation
• Hold time enforcement: Auto-cancel and refund if not picked up within policy window
• Reporting dashboard: How many orders per store, average pick time, pickup rate

Do You Need a Separate OMS?

If you're on Shopify, BigCommerce, or similar platforms, basic OMS functionality is built-in. You likely don't need a separate system unless:

• You have 10+ store locations with complex routing rules
• You're doing ship-from-store (fulfilling online delivery orders from store inventory, not just pickup)
• You need advanced inventory allocation logic (prioritize flagship stores, balance stock levels)
• You're integrating with enterprise ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite)

For most retailers with 1-5 locations, your e-commerce platform's built-in order management is sufficient.

Enterprise OMS Solutions

If you do need dedicated OMS, consider:

• Brightpearl: Mid-market OMS with multichannel inventory and fulfillment
• Cin7: Inventory + OMS for retailers with warehouses and stores
• NetSuite: Enterprise ERP with OMS module; expensive but comprehensive
• Fluent Commerce: Distributed order management for complex omnichannel operations

Point of Sale (POS) with Pickup Workflows

Your POS system is where store staff interact with BOPIS orders. It needs dedicated pickup workflows—not just regular sales transactions.

Required POS Features for BOPIS

• Order queue view: Staff see all pending pickup orders with priority (by promised time)
• Picking workflow: Guided process to find, scan, bag, and stage items
• "Ready for Pickup" button: Triggers customer notification
• Pickup completion: Scan customer's QR code or order number, verify ID, mark picked up
• Barcode/QR printing: Generate pickup slips customers can show at counter
• Location mapping: If items stored in different areas (front, back, cold storage), POS shows where
• Exception handling: Item damaged, customer wants to return immediately, etc.

Best POS Systems for BOPIS

Shopify POS: If you're on Shopify e-commerce, this is the obvious choice. Native integration means orders flow seamlessly. Staff use iPad/tablet to see orders, mark ready, and complete pickups. Free with Shopify; Pro version adds advanced features.

Square for Retail: Works well for small retailers. Supports online ordering (via Square Online) with pickup. Good for single-location or small chains.

Clover: Popular with restaurants and retail; supports pickup workflows. App marketplace offers extensions for curbside coordination.

Lightspeed Retail: Strong inventory management, supports BOPIS via integrations with e-commerce platforms. Good for specialty retail (sports, fashion, home goods).

Vend (by Lightspeed): Similar capabilities; cloud-based POS with pickup order management.

POS Workflow Example (Shopify POS)

Here's how it works in practice with Shopify:

1. Customer places pickup order on website
2. Order appears in Shopify POS under "Orders" → "Local Pickup"
3. Staff tap order, see items and location (if mapped)
4. Staff grab items from shelves, scan each to confirm
5. Staff tap "Mark as Ready" → customer receives SMS/email
6. When customer arrives, staff tap "Pick Up Order"
7. Staff scan customer's QR code (from confirmation email) or enter order number
8. Staff verify ID, hand over bags, tap "Complete Pickup"
9. Order marked complete; inventory updated; customer can rate experience

For detailed setup instructions, see our Shopify BOPIS setup guide.

Real-Time Inventory Management: The Foundation

BOPIS lives or dies on inventory accuracy. If your website says "available for pickup" but the item isn't actually in stock, you've lost a customer.

Why Real-Time Sync Matters

Imagine this scenario:

• 9am: Store has 3 units of Product X on shelf
• 9:15am: Walk-in customer buys 1 unit → 2 left
• 9:20am: Online customer orders 2 units for pickup → inventory shows 3 (hasn't updated yet)
• 9:30am: Staff go to pick order → only 1 unit available
• Result: Angry customer, canceled order, lost sale

Real-time inventory sync prevents this. When the walk-in sale happens, the website immediately shows 2 available, not 3.

Inventory Management Requirements

• Multi-location tracking: Each store has separate inventory counts
• Reserved vs available: Items in pickup orders are "reserved," not "sold" (until customer picks up)
• Sync frequency: Ideally instant; acceptable if within 5 minutes
• Low stock alerts: Notify when store inventory drops below threshold
• Cycle counting: Regular physical counts to correct drift between system and reality

Inventory Sync Methods

Native Integration: If your e-commerce and POS are from the same vendor (e.g., Shopify + Shopify POS), sync is automatic and real-time.

API Integration: If using different systems, they connect via API. Your POS sends inventory updates to your e-commerce platform continuously.

Middleware/iPaaS: For complex setups, use integration platforms like Zapier, Workato, or Celigo to sync data between systems.

Manual Sync: Avoid this—manual CSV uploads lead to errors and delays. Only acceptable for very low volume (under 10 orders/week).

Handling Inventory Discrepancies

Even with perfect sync, physical reality can differ from system records (theft, damage, miscounts). Best practices:

• Enable "safety stock" buffer: show 2 available when you actually have 3
• Daily cycle counts of fast-moving items
• Train staff to immediately adjust inventory when they find discrepancies
• Build in "pending verification" step before marking items ready for pickup

Customer Notification System: Keeping Everyone Informed

Clear, timely communication is what separates great BOPIS from mediocre. Customers need to know exactly what's happening with their order.

Essential BOPIS Notifications

1. Order Confirmation (Immediate)

Sent the moment order is placed. Includes: order number, items ordered, pickup location, estimated ready time, what to bring.

Channel: Email (detailed) + SMS (summary with link)

2. Order Being Prepared (Optional but Nice)

Sent when staff start picking the order. "We're getting your order ready—be there soon!"

Channel: SMS or push notification

3. Ready for Pickup (Critical)

Sent when staff mark order ready. "Your order is ready! Pick up at [location] anytime until [date]. Bring ID and this confirmation."

Channel: Email + SMS + push (if app)

4. Pickup Reminder (After 24-48 Hours)

Friendly nudge if customer hasn't picked up yet. "Don't forget! Your order is waiting at [store]. Pick up by [date] to avoid cancellation."

Channel: Email or SMS

5. Final Reminder / Cancellation Warning (Last Day)

"Last chance! Pick up your order today or it will be canceled and refunded."

Channel: Email + SMS

6. Order Canceled / Refund Processed

"Your order wasn't picked up and has been canceled. Your refund will appear in 3-5 days."

Channel: Email

Best Notification Platforms

Built-in Platform Notifications: Shopify, BigCommerce, and most e-commerce platforms include basic email/SMS notifications. Start here—they're free and work well for most retailers.

Klaviyo: Marketing automation platform with sophisticated email/SMS flows. Great for customizing messages, A/B testing, and advanced segmentation. Popular with Shopify stores.

Twilio: SMS and voice API for custom notification workflows. Use if you need real-time, event-driven messaging (e.g., "driver is 2 minutes away" for curbside).

SendGrid: Transactional email service for high-volume, reliable delivery. Good for enterprise retailers sending thousands of notifications daily.

Postscript: SMS marketing + transactional messaging specifically for e-commerce. Integrates with Shopify.

Curbside-Specific Notifications

For curbside pickup, you need real-time coordination:

• Customer taps "I'm Here" in app or texts arrival code
• Staff receive instant notification: "Customer in stall #3 needs order #4567"
• Staff grab order, bring to car
• Customer receives "We're bringing your order out now" message

This requires app integration or SMS two-way messaging (Twilio). Target's Drive Up uses this beautifully.

Key Performance Metrics & KPIs for BOPIS

Once your system is live, track these metrics to ensure it's working well:

Customer-Facing Metrics

• Promised vs Actual Ready Time: If you promise "2 hours," how often do you hit it? Target: 90%+ on-time
• Pickup Rate: What % of orders are actually picked up? Target: 85-95% (lower means customers aren't getting value or your hold time is too short)
• Pickup Experience Rating: Post-pickup survey scores. Target: 4.5+ out of 5
• Wait Time at Pickup: How long from arrival to receiving order? Target: under 3 minutes for in-store, under 5 minutes for curbside

Operational Metrics

• Average Pick Time: How long does it take staff to locate, scan, and stage an order? Target: 5-15 minutes depending on order size
• Order Accuracy: What % of orders have all correct items? Target: 99%+
• Inventory Accuracy: How often is "available for pickup" actually in stock? Target: 98%+
• Cancellation Rate: What % of pickup orders are canceled (by customer or due to stockout)? Target: under 5%
• Attach Rate: What % of pickup customers buy additional items in-store? Target: 25-40%

Business Metrics

• BOPIS as % of Total Sales: How much revenue comes from pickup vs other channels?
• BOPIS AOV (Average Order Value): Are pickup orders larger or smaller than shipped orders?
• Fulfillment Cost per Order: Labor + materials for picking/staging. Target: $2-$4 per order
• Cost Savings vs Shipping: How much are you saving by not shipping these orders?

Tools for Tracking Metrics

Most modern POS and e-commerce platforms generate these reports automatically:

• Shopify Analytics: Pickup order volume, AOV, revenue
• POS Reporting: Pick times, staff productivity, order accuracy
• Google Analytics: Track "pickup" as a conversion goal; see where traffic comes from
• Custom Dashboards: Use Looker, Tableau, or Google Data Studio to pull data from multiple systems into one view

For more on setting realistic SLAs and capacity planning, check our BOPIS Best Practices for Holiday 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions About BOPIS Technology

Building a Reliable BOPIS Technology Stack

BOPIS technology isn't about having the fanciest software—it's about having systems that talk to each other reliably. The best stack is the simplest one that meets your needs.

Here are your takeaways:

• Five core components make BOPIS work: e-commerce platform, order management, POS with pickup workflows, real-time inventory sync, and automated notifications
• Integration is everything: Systems must communicate in real-time—batch updates create problems
• Start simple: If you're on Shopify or BigCommerce, use their built-in BOPIS features first; add complexity only if needed
• Real-time inventory is non-negotiable: Promising items you don't have kills trust faster than anything
• Notifications drive satisfaction: Clear, timely messages keep customers happy and reduce support calls
• Track metrics religiously: What gets measured gets improved—monitor pickup rates, ready times, and accuracy
• Staff training matters as much as technology: The best system fails if staff don't know how to use it

For most retailers with 1-10 locations, Shopify (e-commerce) + Shopify POS + built-in notifications is the complete stack you need. It's battle-tested, affordable, and works out-of-the-box.

For enterprise retailers with complex needs, consider dedicated OMS (Brightpearl, NetSuite), advanced POS (Lightspeed, custom), and notification platforms (Twilio, Klaviyo) with professional integration help.

The goal isn't the most advanced technology—it's reliable fulfillment that makes customers happy and doesn't stress your staff.

Continue Learning:

• How to Set Up BOPIS on Shopify (Step-by-Step)
• BOPIS Best Practices for Holiday 2025
• What Is BOPIS? Complete Definition and Examples
• Complete BOPIS & Curbside Holiday Playbook