What is the most effective restaurant point of sale system? Maybe, this is just one of the many questions you ask yourself every day as a restaurant owner. POS systems have already proven their value and benefit in every business, but how else can you improve one?
Being a business owner choosing the best for your venture is already in your nature. No one wants second-grade for their use, if, given the chance, everyone will always pick the best option laid out for them.
But how would you know that you’re choosing the best option? With a lot of POS software available in the market, it may be a bit harder for you to know which one will fit your business perfectly.
With that in mind, we ask you to use this article as your guide. Here, we have summarized what are the factors that you need to evaluate to know that you’re on the right path of selecting the best software.
POS Software for Restaurants
Just a quick overview, this system in its most basic form serves as your cash register, accepting payments and issuing receipts based on sales data. Nevertheless, developers have enhanced POS system functions as spending habits and demands continue to change.
A modern, up-to-date Restaurant POS System works as the cornerstone of your business providing support for administrative tasks as complex as they may be. Here are the factors that you need to look at to help you decide the best one for your business.
Usability
The first thing that you should look for is how your staff can use the software on your current operations. While you must train them properly, you must also ensure that it won’t hinder their daily function in your restaurant. Also, you have to make sure that your POS is capable of accepting restaurant gift cards.
What do we mean by it? If the interface of your chosen software appears to be too complicated for your staff, even just for your senior ones, then that might affect their productivity during their shift.
Having to use slow, inefficient, and faulty software in your restaurant can quickly become tiresome. Staff would feel more at ease with the operations if the process was simpler. Easy-to-use interfaces make for a better user experience because they are intuitive, simple to learn, and straightforward to navigate.
It should also be easy for your staff to find menu items. Clock-in should be possible within the system, making it easy for employees to start working right away, thereby increasing the accuracy and efficiency of payroll. Choose a system that is simple and offers all the functions you need.
Budget
Learn to live within your means. While there are different funding options for restaurants, such as Grants from Welsh and other local organizations, it is still wise to stick to your budget as much as possible.
Why? Because creating an entire restaurant business is more than just the tools and software you’ll use. There are hidden costs that might get back to you in the long run if you don’t pay attention to them.
For your restaurant POS software, there are already plenty of subscription plans available in the market. You can opt for a weekly, monthly, and annual subscription. Just ensure that your provider is transparent with all the costs associated with it.
Security and Data Access
Modern POS Systems allow you to capture essential and detailed customer data and preferences. Also, all the financial business transactions are recorded through these systems. This is why data access and security should be an important element of your business decision-making.
Although you can’t be there all the time, you might feel compelled to be if you use an older desktop-based system. It’s particularly unfortunate to have to go into the office late at night or on the weekend to make a small update to the schedule or menu.
POS software that offers data accessibility via any device and irrespective of location is more suitable. The right POS can let you handle real-time changes to menus, schedule conflicts, and payroll and let you change them wherever and whenever needed.
As for security, in a software vendor agreement, both maintenance, security, and support are included, and there is no need for expensive IT support or manual updates. With modern POS software, employee negligence is prevented and criminal data theft can be prevented by encrypting data, automatically backing up data, and setting up custom access controls.
Now, you don’t need to worry about the information you’ve gathered from your customers. From their names up to their credit card numbers, all are secured. Thanks to your software.
Reporting Capabilities
Aside from the amount and type of sales data, additional reports are available, such as an inventory reorder report, customer activity reports, and sales reports.
Including transaction and customer data is a major part of the business of restaurants. A solution with intelligent and accurate reporting is key to getting the most out of this data. Your business should use software that provides real-time reports and allows you to delve into any metrics you need.
The information you’ll receive will tell you what products sell well when and on what days, as well as what profitable sections you should focus on. This will help you identify employee performance, your labor expenses, your food costs, and how many new customers you’re attracting.
Furthermore, quality and detailed reporting allow you to view the sales at your restaurant at any time and from anywhere. No matter where you are, you can still view in real-time the number of customers, the number of transactions, and the average sales value, in real-time, from your cell phone, tablet, or personal laptop.
Special Features
POS systems have evolved considerably from merely being cash registers that process transactions and record payments. In today’s world, it works to speed up operations, streamline labor, increase customer loyalty, manage inventory, and define the customer experience.
So it is not surprising that the average modern one offers a broad range of features. Time clocks for employees, fingerprint identification, customer database, mobile integration, online ordering and reservation, menu management, and inventory monitoring — aren’t these features nice to have?
However, it is still possible that not every business will find them useful. After all, an establishment that provides full service is going to have a very different set of demands from one that provides fast-casual service.
Consider asking yourself, what features do your operations need from POS software? Of course, it would be better if you can ask around and consult your staff what are the areas that need a little push and extra assistance. From here, you’ll be able to choose the one that best fits your current working environment.