The point-of-sale (POS) system has become integral to modern-day restaurant operations. Simple payment terminals have evolved into full-fledged restaurant management systems that support a variety of technologies and features.
As it stands, restaurant owners both old and new are burdened with choices given the number of available restaurant POS systems in the market. While it’s easy to pick any POS and stick to it, investing in a subpar system can hamper your restaurant’s growth.
The future of a POS can very well affect the future of a restaurant, which is why you should invest in a system that grows with you. Here are several evolutions in the POS ecosystem you should be aware of before deciding on which system to invest in.
#1 Improved Restaurant Management Features
POS systems incorporate several features to help manage every aspect of running a restaurant. Aside from recording restaurant transactions, typical POS systems have inventory systems, delivery trackers, and customer databases to facilitate easier sales.
While these features have long been a part of the modern POS, leading providers are shifting to cloud-based systems with a larger focus on online software integration.
This connectivity-centric approach does several things: first, it eliminates the need for expensive proprietary hardware. Secondly, it speeds up restaurant operations. Finally, it greatly improves interconnectivity between the system and other services.
For example, legacy systems required you to physically operate the POS terminal in order to track and record all your sales. Once an order is placed, you would still have to check your inventory to see if it is available before sending the order slip to the kitchen.
Cloud-based systems streamline this process by interconnecting these functions into one fluid transaction. Once an order is placed, the inventory manager is automatically updated, the sale is recorded, and the order is simultaneously relayed to the kitchen through either a Kitchen Display System (KDS) or a kitchen order ticket (KOT) printer. If ingredients are missing to complete an order, the POS automatically marks the item unavailable to avoid second guesses.
. Every system has its unique way of implementing its features. When deciding on which ecosystem to invest in, make sure to decide on a system that works for you. Remember, it’s not just about the number of features but also the quality of how each feature is implemented.
#2 Advanced Security and Reliability
Legacy POS systems run on a closed internal server/network to securely store data. While these systems are reliable, they are expensive to maintain and take a while to set up as every restaurant requires its own system.
Modern POS systems take a different approach when it comes to data security. Instead of relying on an internal system, they use encrypted online servers to reliably store and sync data. These servers can be used across multiple branches, saving owners time and money in setup and maintenance fees.
Cloud-based POS systems also offer offline modes so that every transaction can be fulfilled. Once the internet is back up, these systems will automatically save and sync the data to the server to avoid any data loss.
To ensure fast and secure payment methods, POS providers partner with various payment gateways to cater to every customer. Customers can rely on online transactions and card payments as a safe and easy way to order from their favorite restaurants.
Leading systems also have countermeasures to avoid identity fraud and worker buddy-punching. Biometric log-ins, for example, can help track POS usage and prevent unauthorized remote access.
High security and reliability are essential in a POS ecosystem, as it gives peace of mind to both the users and their customers.
#3 Increased Application Integration
The shift toward a software-centric management system allows the POS to modularize and segment its features into first-party applications or third-party integrations. In other words, notable functions can be separated into a standalone app for easier use.
For example, a common restaurant POS feature is a table management system. Waiters use this feature so that they can easily seat their guests at available tables. Instead of having to fiddle around with POS menus before accessing that feature, they can instead use a dedicated waiter app.
Leading providers also integrate third-party applications into their ecosystems to make it easier for the app’s existing customers to utilize the restaurant’s POS. In effect, supporting a certain application widens the potential customer base that the restaurant has access to.
A popular example of third-party integration would be the use of food apps. Typically, POS systems that don’t support a particular food app have to rely on a separate handheld terminal to receive and record transactions. This can become cumbersome for owners that list their restaurants in multiple apps.
A POS with third-party integration can directly accept orders from the app, eliminating the need for multiple gadgets while maximizing its revenue channels. Instead of having to check each terminal’s sales records, all transactions are directly recorded into one platform.
Having different app support does several things to streamline operations: it helps staff focus on doing their specific tasks, allows users to access these functions through the gadget and app of their choice, and overall simplifies the user experience for both customers and merchants.
#4 Diverse Hardware Support
For the most part, POS providers were responsible for both hardware and software. That means if you wanted to use a certain POS, you would also have to purchase their own branded sales terminals, network servers, computers, tablets, display screens, etc.
While this approach ensures that each component of the POS system works seamlessly with each other, it effectively limits the user’s choice. Relying on proprietary hardware makes it difficult to adapt newer features and is oftentimes more expensive than its generic counterparts.
Cloud-based POS systems are made to be device-agnostic, meaning that they can run on just about any modern device that can run an internet browser. This opens up a variety of hardware options for merchants and makes it easier for owners to scale their business accordingly.
Having diverse hardware support is great during device malfunctions. If a restaurant’s sales terminal breaks down due to either a bug or physical damage, managers or staff can easily use the POS system through their phones or tablets instead of having to wait for a new brand-provided terminal.
Additionally, any upgrades to the software can be downloaded and installed through the internet without the need to change any hardware. This increases the longevity of each device and ensures that users are getting the most out of their POS system.
The Complete Restaurant Management System
The hallmark of a great POS ecosystem is its high usability, adaptability, and versatility. It’s a balance of quantity and quality of features, functions, and integrations that make or break a POS ecosystem.
Every part of your operations can affect your revenue, which is why it’s important to have a complete restaurant management system that can help you manage every aspect of your business.
Leading POS systems are continuously evolving to do just that, so why settle for anything less? Manage every aspect of your restaurant, drive business growth, and enhance customer experience with incredible ease. All that starts, with the POS of your choice.