Things To Look For When Comparing Restaurant POS Systems
Most people find it a hassle if a business doesn’t accept credit cards. As people have moved towards using paperless money, it’s becoming more important for businesses to have a way for customers to use their plastic. Whether they’re credit or debit cards, you need restaurant POS systems. There are plenty of hardware types to choose from, but how do you know if you’re selecting the right one for your business? Before you choose one, consider these few points.
Is The Restaurant POS Hardware Waterproof?
Think about your business. It’s likely that your servers, bartenders and customers don’t try to spill drinks or food, but spills are inevitable. A payment processing system that’s designed for a retail store has very different requirements than restaurant POS systems. It will need to be completely waterproof to help protect it from spills and rugged enough to withstand a tumble off the desk.
Does It Have A Large Touch Screen?
Servers and bartenders are busy. They often admit that they don’t get a chance to sit down even once throughout their shift. More customers mean more tips for efficient servers so the POS systems for restaurants need to be easy to use. A big touch screen is an easy way for servers to speed up their orders and payments.
Does It Serve Multiple Functions?
Although servers are typically paid mostly in tips, many laws require that they’re paid a small hourly wage. Combining restaurant POS systems with a timeclock means there are fewer pieces of equipment cluttering up the eatery. It’s even better if the hardware manages employee schedules, eliminating the need for a paper schedule that can be lost or mismanaged.
Many can also serve other functions, such as keeping track of inventory, tracking sales history, identifying popular items, monitoring discounts or refunds and reducing checkout or pricing errors.
Does It Have A Small Footprint?
Consider the bar in your eatery. Chances are that it’s full at least a couple times a week. People like to meet at a restaurant’s bar before sitting at their table or some just enjoy being able to watch a sporting event while they eat. If your restaurant POS hardware takes up a lot of room at your bar, you’re taking a spot away from a paying customer. Choose hardware with a small footprint to leave more room for your patrons.
Does It Have Excellent Customer Support And Onsite Installation?
You’re busy running your business. Instead of spending valuable time and resources fiddling with getting your POS systems for restaurants up and running, look for one that offers free installation. This way you know you’re getting it done right the first time without any hassle on your end. Also look for 24 hour customer service and technical support. This way if your restaurant POS systems do fail, you’ll have a dedicated team committed to getting you back on your feet. However, even this isn’t enough. Look for a system that offers remote support so you don’t need to wait for an open time for a technician to come fix the problem.
There are many restaurant POS systems on the market today. Before committing yourself to one, make sure it meets all your needs.