With the assistance of point-of-sale (POS) systems, a smoother and more convenient flow is guaranteed for your restaurant’s operations. Sales, inventory, supply chain, kitchen operations, etc., can all be managed online with the powerful POS system. Besides that, the owners can view all data and sales reports in real time. With that information, a lot can be done by the owners. For example, if a dish has low sales, you will know it isn’t doing well in your restaurant, and you can then remove it from the menu.
Rather than focusing only on price, there are other essential factors for you to consider before choosing the right POS system. Here are some features listed to consider before choosing a POS system.
Inventory Management
One of the most indispensable features of a POS system is its inventory management. The quality of inventory management can be a huge turning point in a restaurant’s success or failure.
Managing inventory can be a hassle and easily takes several hours a week. Automating your inventory management with a POS system will allow you to put your focus on tasks that are more important in your store. For example, you will be allowed to update and modify the inventory status of the dish on your e-menu at any time. Doing so tremendously decreases the probability of a customer ordering a dish that is unavailable or out of stock.
With inventory management from a POS system, you could ask your employees to focus on other vital tasks as a restaurant owner.
Cloud Technology
The second thing to look out for in a POS system is whether or not they utilise cloud technology.
Although traditional POS systems are famous among many restaurants, there is a downside. In cases where the system is to fail, the risk of facing data loss is costly. Some traditional POS systems may not even have the resources to manage related data (such as counting daily turnover and processing employee shift reports).
On the other hand, a cloud-based POS system backs up all your restaurant data into a secure remote server. In any case of system failure, the risk of losing your data is low. The server would automatically back it up into your system. In addition, using a cloud-based POS system, you can monitor your data anywhere on any smart device.
Delivery Integration
Since the pandemic in 2020, online ordering has become a thing, and it’s here to stay! Customers want flexibility and freedom in deciding where, when or how they want to eat. You can try setting up food delivery services on several platforms to capture these customers.
An excellent POS system should be able to manage and accept orders from those said delivery platforms. With a single device, accepting orders from different delivery platforms seem seamless.
Detailed Reports
To stay ahead of the competition, every business owner needs a report to make key decisions. Some examples of reports are popular dishes, order types, restaurant peak times, sales reports, and so on.
One of the key features of a robust POS system is the ability to generate reports and data for your business. These reports should assist you in boosting your business performance and profitability. Use those reports to analyse sales and operating costs, optimise your menu pricing, or when to open up extra tables due to peak hours.
Simply put, it gives you a deeper understanding of your business statistics to derive insights critical to your decision-making.
Integration Capabilities
A typical POS system is usually separated into software and hardware.
In most cases, the software and hardware of a POS system you’ve chosen will be compatible with your current one. Still, it is essential that you do a full check on whether your existing system would be compatible with the newer one.
Some POS systems will even require you to purchase their hardware. That is due to their software being compatible with only their hardware. In that case, you will be needed to fork out extra capital to purchase the system.
If that doesn’t show the importance of taking software and hardware compatibility between the old and new POS systems, what will?
User-friendly Interface
Finally, a simple and user-friendly interface is a prime necessity in any sound POS system. That allows your employees, managers, and yourself to quickly understand and grasp the system's mechanics. After all, the goal is to make managing your store easier, right?
After you’ve found a perfect POS system and set it up, your business will be up and running for a smooth and efficient flow. Contradicting that, if you make the wrong choice, you may regret it.
So why don’t you take some time off to check out this powerful POS system;
OrderPin is a zero-investment cloud POS with various features, such as an automated and integrated ordering system, business reports, QR ordering, inventory management, split bill payments, and so on. Let them meet your needs and expectations in different scenarios. OrderPin is a low-cost monthly subscription-based system with various features and benefits for restaurant owners. OrderPin is the ideal choice for small and big restaurant owners.