Next-Gen POS
Think back to how restaurants were operated only 30 years ago. Many used handwritten order slips that were passed back to the kitchen. Customers were rung out on a cash register sitting on the counter. If you wanted to pay by credit card you had to swipe it through a separate stand-alone terminal sitting next to the register. There was a holder on the wall for timecards. You either punched it into a time clock or filled it out by hand. Then the new wave started to take over. The Point Of Sale computer systems became the new way to do business.
The purpose was to make our lives easier. We could streamline our operations, become more efficient and save time, thus allowing us to sell more in a shorter amount of time by eliminating many of the older steps that used to be necessary. Many of us are now on to our second, third or fourth generation of POS systems. But as time goes by, we see that technology is rapidly evolving right before our eyes. POS systems today can do things that were unthinkable only a few years ago. POS is now the number one technology operators spend their money on. In today’s
marketplace there are myriad different POS options that can appeal to every different type of restaurant.
Before upgrading take a look around your restaurant and observe exactly which tasks seem to take an inordinate amount of time for your staff members to complete. Chances are there is a POS system on the market that can solve that problem, streamline your process, and save you money. To find out which is the right one for your operation, there are some key factors that should be considered:
First let’s look at hardware. Today’s systems are no longer a computer tower tied to a touch screen feeding a dot matrix printer in the kitchen. Instead of printers at every kitchen station, maybe your restaurant would be better served by a Kitchen Display System with screens in the kitchen showing the orders and expediting them.
Are servers still writing orders down and then walking over to a wait station where they wait their turn to punch orders into the system? Maybe consider handheld wireless POS units for the servers so they can put the order in at table side and save tons of time. Some restaurants opt for wireless kiosks right at the table allowing customers to order, pay and even see directed marketing from their seats.
Newer POS systems are totally transforming the way delivery has been done in the past. Many now have the capability to integrate with your phone system. Gone are the days of getting a name, address and phone number. These can now auto populate when a call comes in along with an array of other features such as a customer’s most frequently ordered items. The
system can build and maintain your customer database.
Loyalty cards and gift cards are all integrated into systems alleviating the need for any handwritten records. Certain systems also have the feature of eGift Cards allowing a guest to purchase a gift card online that is transmitted to them through a QR code on their phone thus eliminating the need for a hard copy card all together. Another nice feature is that many can be set up to be delivered via e-mail to designated recipients at certain dates and times such as birthdays or anniversaries.
Whereas payroll used to take tons of time to put together many systems now you can transmit payroll reports to your processor automatically.
Many operators enjoy the ability to access their systems remotely via their cell phone. Whether you have one unit or multiple ones you can now have access to all the customer checks and reports from every store right in the palm of your hand.
Guest feedback is a popular option in some systems. Guests now can click on a link in a digital receipt and contact restaurant management directly with any concerns. Any operator would rather deal with a customer issue through a private channel such as this rather than a review website.
Online ordering platforms are now fully integrated into POS systems. Gone are the days of having a separate company operate your online portal and paying them to funnel orders to you.
Virtually all of today’s systems have credit card acceptance built in without the need for a separate card reading machine. Many have introduced touchless payment systems over the past few years, again eliminating steps by your staff and expediting the payment process. Some brands also offer an option to have them be your credit card processing company. They often have very competitive rates and usually discount the hardware as part of the agreement to use them.
A new feature being introduced on some platforms is the ability to scan invoices directly into your system thus simplifying inventory, budgeting and AP. It can save countless hours of manual input and bookkeeping.
Love them or hate them, third-party delivery companies are sweeping the market. Today’s systems get rid of every delivery company’s tablet on your counter by integrating the ordering directly into your POS system.
Not every feature offered in today’s market may be a good fit for you but upgrading a POS system to meet your specific business needs can drastically change your processes. The amount of staff and time needed to complete certain tasks can now be eliminated saving you a lot of money in the long run.
The biggest thing to remember is that tech changes fast. Make sure you choose a POS that can too. One of today’s most valuable features are systems that automatically update any new technology or ideas. Upgrading to a new system can be pricey, but an understanding of every feature that can be applicable to your specific business will undoubtedly create a more efficient and profitable operation in the end.
Michael Androw owns E & D Pizza Company in Avon, Connecticut.
