Restaurant owners would do well to use a good restaurant point of sale system, but between the confusion of hardware and software, monthly contracts, programming setup, leasing equipment and peripherals, that simple old cash register look like a breath of fresh air.
Not so fast; that breath of fresh air can be costing a restaurant owner thousands more than the cost of a POS system every month. Imagine having one central computer system that tracks staff schedules and kitchen inventory, keeps track of orders and wait times, maintains reservations systems and can even accept orders from the restaurant's website.
Restaurant POS hardware and Point of Sale Software
The software, whether it's Aldelo, Aloha, FuturePOS or Micros, consists of the program you're running and not your touch-screen monitor, hand held PDA devices, keyboards, mouse and printers. As with any other high end purchase, never say "yes" on the spot. Some vendors pitch the very low price of their software, while neglecting to inform the client that it only works with their very expensive computers, or their credit card processor.
A company that works hard to provide a high quality program doesn't need to make a business of selling computer components. Or worse, leasing them at extremely high rates. Before signing anything, figure out exactly what each component will be costing. Sure, that computer might only be $50 a month but after a year, it's likely paid off at $600 and the client will still be paying for that lease after another year, so while technology changes the outdated equipment is still being charged as if it were new.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. Imagine- lying on the beach in Hawaii, flipping open the laptop and seeing the security camera. Click a few keys and check that labor percentage, pop off an email to the bar manager to remind him about the big party tonight.
Check the logs and see that the new server is online, too. She's at home studying for her training exam. Imagine that, they're training during their off-hours. What a relief. Close that laptop and get back to relaxing.
Programming a Restaurant POS System
Some point of sales systems are designed to be programmed by the end user, which can be intimidating. See if their company has a list of consultants or other help for programming if that's a frightening prospect. Many POS Software companies work with the restaurant owner to make sure each menu item is entered carefully, tax rates are imported and that the staff is trained to use the system.
It's wise to look specifically for companies who are willing to provide these services for free while getting started. Charging for a refresher course a year later really isn't out of line but charging for initial training isn't standard practice with every company.
The Best POS System for Restaurants
Every restaurant has different needs. A hot dog drive through will need less options than a steak house or pizzeria. A fine dining establishment will require different features compared to a donut shop. Every restaurant has unique needs and requirements. It's best to send away for every information packet. Is there a warranty or guarantee? Is there a trial period? Will the POS system work with your current credit card processor, or will you be required to switch? Can you export sales data to your Quickbooks or other accounting software?
Weighing all of the hardware and software options before making a decision can save a restaurant owner from the stress and headache of ending up with a point of sale system that doesn't fit the bill. Listen to every salesman's 15 minute pitch and review all of the literature carefully. Finally, consider the perspectives of other restaurateurs before deciding which one to go with.
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