Cloud POS (or cloud-based point of sale) systems manage every aspect of running a successful restaurant business. While cloud-based technology is revolutionizing the way we conduct our day-to-day operations in restaurants, some business owners are still apprehensive about shifting entirely to the cloud.
Despite groundbreaking innovations in cloud technology, however, there are still various misconceptions around data security, ease of set up, usage, and expenses incurred from using a cloud POS system.
However, it is necessary for business owners to understand the wonders and benefits of using a cloud-based POS because of what it gives them: unlimited access to their restaurant’s data from anywhere and on any device.
Over the last decade or so, cloud technology has grown tremendously, making them safer and more robust than ever before.
Unfortunately, many people are still unsure what cloud technology is, what it can do, and how safe and efficient it is for their restaurants. The few obstinate myths and misunderstandings that refuse to vanish do not help the situation either.
So here are 8 of the top cloud POS myths busted and explained. Hopefully, this gives you a better understanding of the cloud and will assist you in making the switch to a better POS.
Myth 1: Cloud Tech Is Just A Fad
One of the biggest myths surrounding cloud POS technology is that it is considered to be something trendy and looked at as something that will fade away once the hype dies down.
However, restaurant owners who have already been using cloud-based POS systems in their restaurants can assure you that this is NOT a fad.
The cloud approach to POS systems has been embraced by restaurants of all sizes – big or small. It has all the advantages of a traditional POS model and comes with a lot more benefits that simply cannot be achieved with older POS systems.
Since accessing your restaurant data becomes possible from anywhere you are, managing all of your restaurant locations from a single platform becomes effortless.
Tools that are specifically designed to manage your online ordering platforms and online orders are integrated into your Cloud POS system, making it easier to sync the back-end operations of your staff.
As restaurant home delivery, online ordering, and contactless dining continue to grow in popularity, this is the best time for restaurants to make the switch to the cloud. Cloud POS systems are integral to managing the growing demands of the restaurant industry in order to stay ahead of the competition.
Myth 2: Legacy POS and Cloud POS Are Not All That Different
Many restaurant owners are still hesitant to install a cloud POS system. While there are several causes for this, the most common reason for this is that traditional and cloud-based POS software are often confused.
Some believe that what they already use is a cloud-based POS. Others think that cloud-based POS systems are more expensive than regular, traditional POS systems. There are all kinds of myths and misconceptions surrounding this subject.
A legacy POS system is where data is stored on local servers and it runs on closed networks. This means it can only be accessed within the restaurant, on one sole device.
A cloud POS system is a web-based application that runs on the cloud. This means it can be accessed anywhere on any device, as long as it is connected to the internet.
A traditional POS is not capable of automating your business.
A Cloud POS system can – from taking orders to fulfilling payments.
With faster checkouts, improved staff productivity, a reduction in order errors, and an overall better customer experience, cloud POS systems are very different and arguably much better than legacy POS systems.
Myth 3: A Cloud POS is a Glorified Cash Register
Is a Cloud POS system a glorified cash register? The answer is simply NO.
All a cash register can do is store your cash in a drawer safe and facilitate checkout when the customer pays.
On the other hand, a Cloud POS system for restaurants can handle the entire dining experience, from taking orders up to the moment your customer cashes out. With the right modules, it can even go further.
When it comes to functionality, cash registers simply cannot compete with Cloud POS systems, which explains their increasing popularity.
A Cloud POS system for restaurants is customizable. It can easily link with other software that enhances its restaurant management features. As everyday business gets facilitated on the POS, it can present you with key metrics that reflect the capability of your business, with an overview of one or multiple locations.
Cloud POS systems give you much-needed insights on what is the best performing aspect of your business and where improvements can be made.
Apart from detailed reports and analytics, they are capable of managing inventory, customers, and employees from a unified, single platform.
Myth 4: Cloud POS Systems Aren’t Fit For Small or Medium-Scale Businesses
Whether you’re a Mom-and-Pop store or a conglomerate business, a Cloud POS system can offer the right things to your restaurant business, regardless of its size.
In the beginning stages of a restaurant business, staying competitive yet profitable on small margins may seem difficult. Inventory management, shipment tracking, order purchasing, and payments accounting for a small or medium business might seem like a herculean task.
As your business grows and values increase, manual reconciliation of these transactions can become very difficult to manage when scaling up your business. This is exactly what makes Cloud POS systems perfect for running smaller businesses right from the ground up.
The more time you spend on manual processes, the more money you spend. A cloud-based POS system streamlines front and back-end operations and saves you time and money while allowing you to better serve your consumers.
Myth 5:A Cloud POS is Heavily Reliant On Good Internet Connection
While it is true that cloud-based technology such as cloud POS relies on the Internet to utilize all the benefits it has to offer, it is not always necessary to have an internet connection all the time to accomplish all of its functions.
A good cloud POS software has an offline mode that allows you to conduct business as usual, without having to worry about losing data. As soon as a connection is reestablished, your data will get synced to the cloud and saved.
Even if there is a power outage that might affect your traditional POS system, you can simply switch to a POS that runs on your Android or iOS device, such as a mobile phone or tablet, and take orders and process payments right at the customer’s table.
There is no need to wait until the power comes back on or issue handwritten receipts when your printer is off. Cloud POS systems can send the receipt to the customer via SMS or email according to the preference of the customer.
Myth 6: Setting Up a Cloud POS Takes Ages
Good Cloud POS systems take less than a day to set up. Many, in fact, come with built-in menus already set up for use.
All restaurants have to do is to add, delete, or modify these items to reflect their menu and this can be accomplished in a few hours.
With cloud-based POS systems, there is no need for clunky external hardware. You can run the application on your desktop, smartphone, or tablet. This greatly simplifies tasks and reduces the time it takes to set up and start running your operations.
Modern-day POS systems also come integrated with payment portals, accounting software, and inventory management tools that allow you to start streamlining your restaurant operations from day one.
What’s more, modern-day cloud POS systems are so easy to use that a restaurant staff or operator would not need any prior experience handling these systems. All they will need is a little training to show how things work and they can start using the system right away.
Myth 7: Cloud POS Systems Require Too Much Maintenance
Unlike legacy POS systems, cloud restaurant management solutions are simple to maintain. Since these systems work on the cloud, the need to manually update your software is eliminated.
With a cloud POS, you can schedule updates to take place automatically. This ensures that you are always using the latest version of your software, and you benefit immediately from the regular bug fixes and performance enhancements that get released on a regular basis.
Traditional POS systems are usually more expensive than cloud POS in the long run. Rather than paying a huge one-time fee for your legacy POS system – which comes with costly updates and maintenance charges – you might want to consider purchasing a cloud POS that comes with simple monthly or annual subscription membership costs, and add the extra features you need as you go along.
Myth 8: Cloud POS Customizations Are Tricky
One of the biggest myths surrounding cloud POS systems is that customizing menus to work in the favor of the restaurant is tricky and hard to navigate.
For all restaurant forms, a cloud POS system provides end-to-end restaurant management solutions. It comes with a slew of additional essential characteristics that set it apart from standard point-of-sale systems.
A cloud POS is a comprehensive suite that takes care of inventory management, customer information, sales, income reports, and more, whereas a traditional POS is solely for invoicing and creating receipts. Moreover, restaurants can easily modify their Cloud POS to suit their needs, adding and deleting any module that may not need or want to use.
Some of the modules that restaurants find highly useful in their day-to-day activities include:
- An integrated online ordering system that sends online orders directly to the POS
- A third-party, online delivery channels integration platform that directs all aggregator orders to the POS
- A Kitchen Display System that allows restaurants to simplify kitchen communications by streamlining order placement to fulfillment
- A Home Delivery Manager that can track order status, rider status, and deliveries
- An Inventory Management Software that can manage recipes and food costs, raise POs, and transfer stocks between locations.
- A LIVE Business Dashboard that equips restaurants with valuable insights on sales trends, staff performance, and more.
Customers nowadays are seeking a highly tailored service that caters to their specific requirements, so a cash register that only records transactions and issues receipts isn’t going to cut it.
A complete restaurant management software suite can accommodate these various customer demands, which can result in higher profitability. With the help of additional modules, your Cloud POS system can become an invaluable asset to your restaurant business.
Take Your POS To The Cloud
Usage of cloud-based POS systems for restaurant businesses continues to expand as more firms recognize the ROI and value that cloud-based restaurant management solutions can add to their operations.
If you’re a decision-maker who’s having trouble maintaining your costly physical IT infrastructure but isn’t sure about going to the cloud, this is a sign for you to explore the move. Take your business from surviving to flourishing with the right cloud POS technology!
If you are wondering what’s the right POS technology for your restaurant, we recommend using Sapaad Cloud POS & Restaurant Management System.
Try Sapaad for free or schedule a free and quick 1-on-1 demo with Sapaad’s experts to learn how you can switch to a cloud POS that works to simplify your restaurant operations.