Dining room management software varies widely depending on what services your restaurant offers as well as what specific needs best suits your company. Your computer operating system comes into play as you will need software that works with your present system or you will have to upgrade the entire system to fit the software. Make sure that the software is network-ready for multiple sharing from front to back of house.

Many software systems will contain information that you don't need so don't pay for options that do not work for you. Select a software system that will grow with your institution. Alternatively, upgrading your present software with new functions may be the best option if you have a system that is already working for you. Look for these features when choosing restaurant seating software:

1. Locate the dining room seating software program that is right for your restaurant.

2. Use your current dining room management software with a new twist.

3. Get assistance with dining room seating software programs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find restaurant seating software providers with programs you can use

Software programs come in all shapes and sizes and there is a price tag that goes with that. Check the features of the software you are considering and purchase what your institution needs.

I recommend: Blue Skies offers a software suite that not only includes seating but also contains schedulers, reservation taking and a blueprint of your restaurant. Action Systems offers restaurant manager software that allows you to control everything from your back end office. You can get handhelds for your wait staff as an addition to the software if you choose this feature.

Choose restaurant seating design software that integrates with the system already in place

If your present software is working for you, consider upgrading it to add a few features that you need instead of replacing the entire system. There may be a small charge to upgrade but this would be minimal compared to replacing the entire system. Find out if the new necessary features are available with your present software. Alternatively, choose a software program that adds these features but integrates with the program in place.

I recommend: Pixel Point offers a software suite that fully integrates with any POS terminals. There is no need for an extra PC on back end since the software will run on the POS terminal you already have. Reserve Interactive offers software that integrates with your email system to confirm email reservations. It also works to minimize no-shows, gets your guests seated fast and maximizes your labor by evenly distributing them.

Choose seating software for restaurants that has live customer support

The best software in the world is no good to you if you cannot reach someone to answer questions when that need arises. Software has an online guide but sometimes that is not enough when you run into a difficulty. Choose software systems with live customer support features to get the most out of program.

I recommend: Table Check offers innovative software that allows all staff members to know at a glance what tables are free, which are dirty and which have customers seated and need attention. They provide a 24-hour staffed phone number and you can also contact them by fax. Capterra offers a complete restaurant management software that includes seating software in its suite. Contact them by phone, fax, email or by filling in their online form.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Purchase software for restaurant seating from trusted sources. Even though an unknown vendor may sell the software for less, the software may be flawed or worse yet it could contain a virus.