Point of Sale (POS): Overview on Restaurant Point of Sale Software

For every restaurants, using a POS system can either mean success or failure. Why? Choose the wrong system, and you may end up wasting money more than you earn every month. So here’s a guide that can help you find that right restaurant POS software for your business.

Overview: Restaurant POS Software

Restaurant owners would do well to use a good restaurant POS system, but between the confusion of your restaurant software, hardware and peripherals, that old cash register sure is a relief.

But remember; that breath of fresh air can be costing a restaurant owner thousands more than the what a monthly POS system costs. It sure is nice to have that POS system that tracks staff schedules and kitchen inventory, keeps track of orders and wait times, maintains reservations systems and can even accept online orders, all in one convenient central computer system!

Restaurant POS hardware and Point of Sale Software

A POS software, either an Aldelo, Aloha, FuturePOS or Micros, it is the program that you use to run your system and not the external devices such as your hand held PDA s nor the touch-screen monitor, keyboard and mouse. As with any expensive POS, there’s always a catch at the end so never close a deal on the spot. there are many vendors who offers really low prices on their POS software, but intentionally neglect to inform you that it will only work with their super expensive computers.

Note that a company that really works hard to provide good quality programs does not need to make a business of vending computer components. Or worse, lease computer components at a very high rate. Before making a deal, figure out exactly what each component will be costing. Paying $50 a month for a computer sure is affordable but after a year, it’s likely paid off at $600, what’s worse is that the client will still be paying for the lease after another year, so while technology changes the outdated equipment is still being charged as if it were new.

Online Restaurant Management

Being able to access the system from another computer is a nice feature. Just imaging, watching the sunset on a beautiful beach resort with your laptop beside you, watching your restaurant via a security camera. With a few keystrokes you can check your labor percentage, pop off an email to the bar manager to remind him about the celebration party tonight.

You may also do a few check ups to see if your server is still online, check your employees performance for today and how much the sales was last night. This feature is such a relief, now you can go back to being pampered.

Restaurant POS System Programming

Many POS systems are specifically designed to be programmed by the end user, which may come intimidating at first. See if their company has a list of consultants or other help for programming if that’s a frightening prospect. Many POS Software companies tries to work out with the restaurant owner just to make sure that their needs is met by the program.

It would be a great decision to look specifically for companies who are willing to provide these services for free while getting started. Charging for a small fee course a year later really isn’t out of line but charging for initial training isn’t a requirement for every company.

Finding The Best Point of Sale System for your Restaurant

Every restaurant has different needs. A burger drive through shop will be needing less options compared to a steak house or pizza shops. A restaurant bar and grill requires different features than of a donut shop. Every restaurant differ in their needs. So it is much better to send away for every information packet. Is there a warranty or guarantee? Would there be a trial period given? Will the POS system work with your current credit card processor, or will you be required to switch? Can sales data be exported to Quickbooks or other accounting software?

making sure you weigh all of the hardware and software options before making a decision can can save any restaurant owner from the stress and headache of ending up with a restaurant point of sale system that doesn’t fit the bill. Listen well to a salesman’s 15 minute sales talk and review them carefully. Finally, do consider the perspectives of other restaurateurs before deciding which one you’re going to use.