One of the most important aspects of staring a restaurant is utilizing the right software to make sure orders are placed and customers are checked out efficiently and correctly. Although this might not be quite as glamorous as creating a menu or designing the décor of your new place, it’s the job of the restaurant owners to make sure that the right POS systems, or point-of-sale systems, are in place.
Finding the right POS system is actually not as simple as walking into a store and picking out the most affordable option. There are many different types of POS systems and different features available, so making the right choice really depends upon the size of your company and the goals of your business.
Top 5 Things to Look for in a Great POS System
The majority of new restaurants need to buy computers for the servers to use, a control unit for the computers, POS software, and a server station or place to put all of these components. Below are a few things to keep in mind when you set out to buy these products:
- Decide whether you want a keyboard or touchscreen technology.
Touchscreen POS systems are quickly becoming the most popular option for restaurants because they are newer. They take up less space and are easy to use; however they are the most expensive option. Some restaurants opt for the keyboard route because they are most cost efficient. If you run a restaurant where you just have one counter where people order, a keyword would work just fine.
- Consider the features you want in a system, and then choose your software accordingly.
Although POS software might seem overwhelming at first, the choice really comes down to the features that you want to include in your restaurant plan. Some POS software is designed for specific types of businesses, so be sure you really do your research before making a decision. You can visit Top Ten Reviews to learn more about some of the software available.
- Make sure that your POS system is compatible with your merchant account.
One of the biggest reasons that people utilize POS systems is to be able to process credit cards of the customers easily and quickly. However, not all POS systems are compatible with your current merchant account. You’ll want to make sure that you don’t have to change your account provider because it usually comes at a cost.
- Make sure the system has a good customer service and maintenance policy.
Difference vendors offer different maintenance policies. It’s important that you find a vendor who is willing to help you should something happen to one of your POS systems. Anyone who has worked in a restaurant will tell you that POS systems have a habit of breaking down at the worst times, so a good maintenance policy is worth the extra research.
- Consider how many POS systems you will need to run your restaurant.
Believe it or not, this aspect slips the mind of many restaurant owners. You’ll want to consider how many POS systems you will need in case you can find a bulk purchasing deal. The general rule of thumb is one POS systems for every five to seven employees.
Many POS systems will come as a package deal, so you won’t need to buy everything separately. Ask yourself what components of the system are most important to you, and then consider finding a packaged deal.
Do you have any advice about POS systems? Have you ever had a bad experience with a certain type of POS system? Let us know in the comments below!
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Kimberly Austin is a professional blogger that writes on a variety of topics including Boston restaurants. She writes for Restaurants.com, a leading directory of restaurant reviews.
