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

Aug. 27, 2009 - PRLog -- Restaurant Point of Sale Software Overview

Compare the best  point of sales systems and learn about online restaurant management softwares: for order tracking, payment processing, monitoring staff and more

Using a good restaurant point of sale system can greatly help restaurant owners, but between the confusion of hardware and software, monthly contracts,programming setup, leasing equipment and peripherals, that simple old cash register brings relief to all.

But don't expect that much yet; that breath of fresh air can be costing a restaurant owner thousands more than the cost of a POS system every month. 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 orders from the restaurant's website, all in one convenient central computer system!

Restaurant POS hardware and software

For a POS software, either an Aldelo, Aloha, FuturePOS or Micros, is the program running your computer system and not your computer monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, hand held PDA and other devices. As with any other expensive purchase, better think twice before closing a deal 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.

Note that a company that really works hard to provide good quality programs does not need to make a business of vending computer components. Even worse, leasing them at extremely high rates. {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 and the whose part is that the client will still continue to pay after another year since it's a lease, so while technology changes the outdated equipment is still being charged as if it were new.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 sitting next to you, watching your restaurant via a security camera. With a few keystrokes you can check your labor percentage, you can even send an email to your bar manager about the big party tonight, and maybe invite some of your friends.

You might want to 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 sit back and enjoy the sun.

Programming a Restaurant POS System

There are POS systems that are specifically designed to be programmed by the end user, which can really be intimidating at first. See if their company has a list of consultants or other help for programming if that's a frightening prospect. A lot of companies that develops POS software tries to work out with the restaurant owner just to make sure that their needs is met by the program.

It would be a wise decision to make a deal with companies that offers this kind of service for free as you get started with your business. Charging for a refresher course after a year later really isn't out of line but charging for initial training isn't standard practice with every company.

The Best Point of Sale System for Restaurants

Every restaurant has different needs. A liquor drive through store will need less options than a steak house or pizzeria. A restaurant bar and grill requires different features than of a sandwich shop. Every restaurant has different needs. So it is much better to ask away for every information packet. Does it have a warranty or guarantee? Would there be a trial period given? Is it compatible with your current credit card processor, or it will require you to witch? Can you export sales data to your Quickbooks or other accounting software?

Before heading on to your local POS vendor and make a deal, better weigh in first those POS software and hardware options of yours! It can save you hundreds and even thousands of dollars, not to mention the stress and headache of ending up with the wrong type of restaurant POS systems. You can listen to a salesman's 15 minute sales talk and review each pitch carefully. Finally, do consider the perspectives of other restaurateurs before deciding which one you're going to use.

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With over 20 years of experience in restaurant point of sale the author of this article is the Customer Relations Vice-President at http://www.pos-for-restaurants.com -- where the experts help you use your Restaurant POS technology to help you make your restaurant more efficient and more profitable.

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