Posts Tagged ‘point of sale’

What can a POS system do for my business?

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

What’s a POS System?

Point of Sale (POS)

This can mean as the merchandising aids, displays and business transactions.

In here, we will be talking about the hardware and software that runs the front counter and back office operations of a business.

For a small gift store, their basic POS system would consist only of a computer, cash register that may or may not come with a built-in cash drawer, receipt printer and a reliabe POS software. A service organization, like a lawn care company, doesn’t need a cash drawer or a receipt printer.

Although, they might want to use a laser printer for their service invoices.

Then again, you have the ability to easily customize a POS system for your business needs.

The heart of any Retail POS system is the computer (or computers) that runs the POS software.

We know and understand the temptation to use an older computer or maybe one of the really low cost ones available through the “superstores”.

But always remember, if you use this from the start, your business will be depending on this equipment, so a good quality computer is a must. 

If you want high quality use a custom built POS system, name brand parts and you can depend on it for years!

Same goes for all other components you will need.

You may be able to get the job done using a basic cash drawer, but heavy duty models really are built better and will last longer.

For a barcode scanner, a CCD type can last longer than the pencil want type, but they’re still designed to work with flat, easy-to-read barcodes.

Let’s talk about laser scanners, not only have a greater range, but the laser can wrap around bottles, plastic bags or follow irregular shapes which is way better than the CCD models.

While barcode scanners are improving, so is the printer technology. The workhorse of the industry is used to be a dot-matrix printer, and they’re still fairly popular, but thermal printers are faster, quieter and affordable.

UPS or Uninterruptible power supplies, or battery back-ups, are affordably priced and can keep your business up and running during power glitches or short outages. Remember, your business will be depending on this POS equipment. If you plan to use it a lot, spend the extra bucks to get the heavy duty models and UPS units.

A retail POS system does not only give you control over your transactions, but it also puts a wealth of information at the tip of your fingers.

Imagine being able to compare year to date and month to date sales transactions with just a few keys. A database of your customers can be a powerful marketing tool.

Tracking inventory list, creat order lists automatically and being able to adjust quantities based on customer demands are just a few of what POS systems can do for your business.

Al in all, POS systems can keep you on the race and not get left behind.

If you want to know more on how to choose the right retail point of sale system provider visit Retail-POS-Solutions to receive information on a system designed for your specific business and retail business needs.

 

 

The author of this article is a retail POS sytem professional who has been counseling businesses of all sizes from single locations to national chains for over 20 years.

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Looking For The Rigth Restaurant POS Software and Hardware For Your Business?

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

Restaurant POS Software and Hardware

Want to run your restaurant to succes? Then let’s get back to the basics: right location, good food and service. But today, there’s another consideration to add: in order to run your POS system, you’ll be needing a good restaurant software you can rely on.

Even though physical components like the monitors and computers are the most visible, the software is the core of your POS system. Doing a careful evaluation of restaurant POS software is key to getting a system that will greatly satisfy both your staff and customers.

Looking for the right restaurant software
First of all, it’s important to know what exactly you need the software to do. Any reasonable restaurant software is able to handle checks per customer or per table, track orders per server, move diners from the bar to a table, manage list of customers that are waiting as well as the reservations, and more.

Once you’re satisfied that a particular piece of restaurant software meets your basic requirements, give it a test drive to see how easy it is to use. Even though there would be a learning curve for your employees when you adopt a new POS system, and since a POS software is easy to learn and navigate it can save you time on staff training.

You may learn more about ease of use by having one or two of your servers involved in the evaluation. They’ll be able to try out the kinds of inputs and changes to the system that may end up causing problems to the software so you’d know what to look out for.

  • Security – creating a login account for each employee adds to safety. You should be able to limit access to some reports as well as the functions (such as comping meals) to managers, as long as you want.
  • Flexibility – waiters should be able to manipulate checks to match your patrons’ whims: easily splitting checks and tracking special orders, for example.
  • Reporting – this is one of the best features of POS software it can create detailed report which is a great advantage for restaurant owners. So you better make sure to choose the right software that gets the neccessary detailed information about your business either per server or over all transactions from day to day or to annual.
  • Multiple location support – if applicable, make sure that your POS system is able to track and record on multiple locations, including local differences in staffing and pricing.

Looking for the best hardware
Of course you’ll need to invest in restaurant POS hardware as well: computers to run the restaurant software on, touch-screen displays for servers to enter order, and printers to produce order slips for the kitchen. Along with POS software is hardware – the biggest hardware decision you’ll have to make is how many stations will you need.

Ready to start contacting restaurant software vendors? Find more information at POS-For-Restaurants.com and receive free unbiased quotes from the experts in restaurant POS systems serving your area.

 

 

The author of this article is the Customer Relations VP at POS-For-Restaurants with over 20 years of experience meeting the automation needs of restaurants of all types throughout the U.S.

 

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Evaluating Restaurant POS Equipment and Systems

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

The basic POS systems you may see on restaurants and fast food chains are touch screen monitors, programmable keyboards, or scanners and handheld devices. Cash registers can be baught with or without a built-in cash drawer, printers can be dot matrix or thermal, programmable keyboards can have covers for spill protection and scanners can be a CCD scanner or an autosending laser scanner.

Touch screen technology: Many retail business owners find touch screen monitors as more intuitive to use than keyboards, as it can reduce mistypes and can easily cancel inputted orders within a second, and because it provides flexible user interfaces and programming. Touch screens also uses fewer electricity and much easier to position on the counter table, but they can be more prone to breakdowns.

Hand held devices: These are restaurant handheld devices like PDAs, commonly wireless, that transmits data back to its base station. You can also use the newer version, which is the write-on handhelds that allows you to write information such as the orders and sends them directly to the kitchen! This type of handheld device is perfect when up-selling desserts and drinks to customers either by roaming on tables or by approaching customers in line.

Keyboards: You’ll find that most grocery and convenient stores prefer to use this type of POS hardware because it allows them to program individual keys for specific item codes and prices. The standard POS keyboard is a  101-key, which you will find with any computer. Others are small and flat, which are common in fast food chains. POS keyboards often has a built-in magnetic stripe readers for processing credit cards.

Scanners: This restaurant hardware reads bar codes and converts it before inputting it’s information to a POS system computer. This device fastens transactions and provide accurate data on products or services being purchased by a customer. Scanners can be connected through Y-connectors called wedges which makes them function as an extension of your keyboard.

Volume of customers: For different volume of customers, using different types of scanners can be very helpful. If the counter line has several customers, then its good to use a CCD scanner or entry-level laser scanner. But if the counter line is loaded with customers, then an autosensing laser scanners would be better. It’s a type of scanner that automatically turns on when an item is placed in front of it, easily scan the barcode, and then turn off again. But if your counter line is flooding with customers, then you’re staff could really use the help of an omnidirectional scanner, where it can scan a bar code from any angle with its 15 or 20 lasers simultaneously!

Consider Additional Restaurant

Cash drawers: Where you store cash, checks, gift certificates, and other imporatant things. When looking to buy for a POS cash register, look for sturdy construction of at least 18-gauge steel. And since the usable life of a cash drawer is measured, make sure you can replace rollers, bearings, and other parts, because most cash drawers opens when a signal is released from the receipt printer.

Point of Sale printers: Every retail business owner has them, every POS system needs one of course! POS printers are used for printing customer receipts and create credit card slips. There are two types of POS printers, the dot matrix printer and the thermal printer. The dot matrix printer uses ribbons and regular paper to print. On the other hand, Thermal printers are slighly expensive than the dot matrix printers because they are more realiable, they have less moving parts, faster and quieter when printing.

Customer displays: Also called the pole display. This restaurant hardware lets your customer view their item and its price, and sometimes used to support advertising. Before buying a customer display, make sure that you check for the right height and width, which will perfectly fit your counter table, and its compatibility with your POS software.

The Check readers: If you’re still thinking if you’re going to buy one, now would be the best time to say yes! This little device can help prevent fraud by verifying essential account information on cheks that are presented by your customers. It can save you money and eliminate flushing money down the drain because of fraud.

Magnetic stripe readers: This piece of restaurant hardware is used to read credit cards. You can also purchase keyboards and touch screens has a built-in magnetic strip readers for convenience.

Fingerprint ID readers: This type of POS equipment can be used to limit which staff can access a POS terminal. Typically used by employees to log on to their designated stations.

Always rememeber when purchasing a restaurant POS system, hardawre or software, you have to make sure that you review their details first. No matter how much money you spend on your POS equipment, consider the environment where you’re going to use it. Regular cleaning can help keep your POS terminal in good shape, vacuuming dust and lubing your receipt printer can extend its life and maintaining an over all clean workstation can help protect your POS terminal from annoying dust and spills. You can always request for a FREE POS system quote online where local suppliers will provide you competitive price lists on any type of POS terminal your business needs.

For more information on restaurant POS systems or to have a local POS professional serving the restaurant industry in your location see more information at POS-For-Restaurants.com.

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Things You Need To Consider Before Purchasing A Restaurant POS System

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

How Many Restaurant POS Stations Should I Buy?

  • Peak volume of customers
    When handling peak customer volume, you need to have a plan to be able to sufficiently serve them all.
  • Considering the number of staff taking orders
    One station per 3-5 servers would be sufficient in a table service environment. You might want to have additional stations for handling high volume areas like the bar or cashier station. When switching to a POS system from a cash register many people unintentionally forget that their POS system will not only be used to cash out customers, but will now be used for order entry as well.
  • Restaurant layout
    If you have a bar you can bet the bartender will need his or her own station. Other stations should be located where servers can easily get at them.
  • Having proper location where your customers pay for their meals
    If you plan to have customers pay at the front you should have one or two dedicated cashier stations to fast track transactions. If you plan to have your servers carry their own banks, we suggest fewer servers per station.

Which style of POS computer is best?

  • Desktop PC: standard desktop computers.
    • Least expensive computer option
    • With a gurantee of 3 years of onsite warranty
    • Takes more space but can be hidden away below a counter
    • Has greater flexibility for addition of extra ports
    • Latest CPU speeds and memory
    • Screen and computer are separate; in case of technical difficulties problems are isolated.
  • Small form factor (SFF): smaller than desktops.
    • Compared to the standard computer, SFF is more stylish
    • Has 3 years standard onsite warranty
    • Space-saving
    • Fewer options for expandability
    • Latest CPU speeds and memory
    • Screen and computer are separate; so you can easily isolate which ones has technical difficulties.
  • All-in-one terminals: the combination of touchscreen and computer.
    • Most stylish option with fewer wires and least space required
    • 1–2 Year Manufacturers Warranty (Not onsite)
    • Comes standard with sufficient ports for almost any operation
    • CPU speed is generally slower than the other two options but sufficient for the Point of Sale needs.
    • Screen and computer are combined

How many cash will I need?

  • Your servers may carry their own cash banks, but it is still advisable that you have a cash drawer to stations where you want to end transactions.

Should I consider having integrated credit cards?

  • A restaurant POS system can be used to safely record all credit card transactions in one convenient location.
  • You can reduce 3-4 seconds per transaction using with the advance of high speed internet.
  • If you do not have a high speed internet, we suggest using a standalone terminal for processing transactions.

How many kitchen/bar printers?

  • Having one kitchen printer will probably be sufficient for many restaurants; however, if you have different sections in your kitchen which handle different dishes you may want a printer for each section.
  • For example, you can have all your starters print on one printer and all your entrees print on another.
  • When choosing for printers to use for your kitchen and bar, use impact (dot-matrix) printers instead of thermal printers. Why? Because tickets that are printed on thermal printers becomes unreadable when exposed to heat, and the loud printing of impact printers can alert your cooks and bartenders of incoming orders.

Do I need more that one receipt printer?

  • Since you’re going to have more than one station, you would likely need more than just one receipt printer.

Is a back office computer needed?

  • A back office computer helps managers to run reports and access POS systems to change, remove or add important data without disturbing servers.
  • It’s not quite necessary to have a back office computer for your restaurant, if you have less than 4 stations.. However, it’s a good idea that you use a back office computer to host your database if you do have 4 or more stations so that none of the stations has the additional load of running the database.

 

More information is available at POS-For-Restaurants.com

The author of this article is the Vice-President of Customer Relations at POS-For-Restaurants with over 20 years of experience serving restaurants of all types and sizes throughout the U.S.

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Restaurant ‘Point of Service’ System: Getting Started

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

A Restaurant POS System (or Point of Service System) could be any POS terminal, hardware and software combined which is the the equivalent of an electronic cash register, that is used to process a transaction. A restaurant has many factors which makes the whole business function as it is supposed to. A POS terminal is used to secure customer payment as well as accelerate the sales transaction. Any location within a retail establishment where transaction occurs is referred to as the Point of Sale.

Now, in a restaurant, there are lots of moving parts that’s involved for it’s performance. Having a restaurant Point of Sale software for managing staff attendance and performance, the inventory system, accounting and customers’ information, is a big help for any retail business owner improve his business’ performance. How? With features that provides powerful tools to help manage employee and customer data, a restaurant POS system increases both efficiency and profits.

Customer Satisfaction Can Increase Profit

Customer satisfaction is one of the most important factors you must learn, by meeting your customers’ expectations on your products or services, you’ll get a higher chance of customer return. The more customers who return, the higher your profit! So, as the owner, you would want to make sure your employees are giving orders accurately, provide assistance to customers and make an overall great performance all the time. By using a restaurant POS software you can decrease 50% on ordering time and increase ordering accuracy.

Because the goal of increasing profit, many retail POS system vendors have developed new systems that can produce excellent results like the POS systems that enables you to integrate your accounting software such as QuickBooks and Peachtree. With a POS software like these, you can rest assured that all your financial data will be up to date and accurate, you can even print sales report on any POS terminal just with the touch of a button!

Improving inventory management is really difficult. Manually handling and updating your inventory sure is tiring, time consuming and costly! It’s really though job for any restaurant owner. By installing a POS software that can help you manage your inventory, you will see and increase in efficiency with its advance management tools, you can associate any information with the items as well, such as purchase date or date of expiry, you will never have to back to manual system ever again.

Proper ordering system. Placing an order should have the right timing, order too late  and you will run out of an item, while ordering too soon risks an item going bad. Installing automated inventory management enables you to increase the efficiency of your products orders, set a special alert to notify you and your staff when you’re about to run out of products and the ones that needs immediate re-ordering, as well as setting up notifications to alert you when expiration dates are nearing. So if your restaurant still doesn’t have POS software for inventory management the time is now to do so.

Fighting Leakage With The Help Of Good Restaurant POS Solutions!

Decrease shrinkage up to 10% by having a realiable restaurant POS solution to back you up. Since all data is digitally recorded, you can have a full report on who processed a transaction and if the transaction made is accurate. This way, you can also ensure an easier way to investigate profit loss.

The information I gave you is just the bits and pieces of what a restaurant point of sale systems is and what a good POS software can do for your retail business. I recommend you go online and do researchbefore purchasing any POS terminal as there are many comparison shopping sites that offer a wealth of information. You can also check retail systems verdons online and request for a free POS system quote before buying one from your local supplier. By this, you can get competitive price lists and avoid buying expensive restaurant POS equipment that doesn’t work for your business.

 

For more information or to have a local POS professional serving the restaurant industry in your area help you go to POS-For-Restaurants.com

 

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Having A “New Year Computer Checklist” Helps Keep Your Restaurant POS System In Good Shape

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

Start out the year right for your restaurant POS system. Let’s point out some of the most common and crucial mistakes that restaurant owners make in regard to some very simple and basic configuration aspects of the computer system. Some of these mistakes can cost restaurant owners hundreds and even thousands of dollars of wasted money and time. And even worse… it can frustrate you, your customers and employees.

Whether you already have a computer system or you’re going to configure a new one yourself — it’s important for you to make sure everything is done accordingly.

Please don’t let me give you the wrong message. I don’t always recommend configuring your own computer system! I recommend letting a computer professional do it for you. But I know some of you will do it yourself no matter what I say. So this is for those of you that insist on doing your own system installations and for everyone else to double check and make sure everything was done properly. This can help avoid major problems, be aware on the proper installations and save hours of your precious time.

So here are some simple retail POS system configuration checklist for a Windows network you could use as a guide:

1) Using a UPS
The main cause of electronic component failure is from fluctuations in electricity (up and down). A good UPS can solve this problem by regulating the power. I recommend that you at least put a good UPS on your server. And it’s a good idea to use them on every worstations too.

2) Making Sure To Plug All Cables Into the UPS
All cables that powers your computer and network must be properly plugged into your UPS. It’s also important to make sure cables that can carry electrical charges are plugged into a surge protector or UPS. For example, the phone line for your modem can easily heat up and fry your computer if it’s not plugged into a surge protector. So you better make sure that all cables are plugged properly. Your modem line, network cables, and power cords can cause serious damage if not plugged properly.

3) Tightening Up Security
At the very least, I suggest locking down your server with a password on all Windows accounts so your employees and hackers have more difficulty messing with your server.

4) Intalling and Configuring Security Tools Like An Antivirus Software and AntiSpyware Software
Make sure that all your secirity tools are configured to automatically update every day, so you don’t forget.

5) Limit Internet Access
Employees that surf the internet can cause more problems than anything. You mave the lastest antivirus and antispyware software installed but if an employee inadvertently downloads the wrong program or accepts the wrong message, it can cause some serious damage to your system. You may limit them by disabling internet browsing on their computer stations. Or another option is to password protect internet access.

For a restaurant, this is very important! In order to protect secured files from evil hands, limiting employee internet access is a must. A retail business owner has to enforce rules to protect his business as well as his profit. Otherwise, what good will a restaurant POS system do if it’s run by a misbahaved or ignorant personnel.

6) Configure Your Back Up To Run Every Night
As well proven in many situations, it’s best to configure your back up to run automatically after work hours. But you still need to remember to change your back up device (like tapes) daily.

7) The Importance of Testing Your Back Up Regularly
I have talked to a lot of people who think they have a good back up plan for restoring damaged files. But when they try to restore they find it hasn’t been working. That’s why you need to do a “real” test restore once a month to make sure it’s working. By the way, you should also remember o restore to an alternate file location so your existing software won’t be affected.

So please check your computer system now. If you don’t, you might regret it later. Have a happy and successful 2009!

With over 20 years of restaruant experience, the author and Vice President of Customer Relations at POS-for-Restaurants.com, helps you use your technology to be more efficient and more profitable.

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EPos Systems And Cash Register Till Networks

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

There can be costs involved with installing and Electronic Point of Sale (EPoS) system into your business but there are priceless benefits. Links to your supplier, a cash register till network and databases will all help with the everyday running o your business. This can help in two ways; with your customer service and with strategic business processes.

A cash register till is essential for any business who sells something to customers, no matter what the product is. This needs to be able to process credit and debit card transactions. This is on top of the traditional roles of a till like taking cash, totalling sales and carrying out returns. The best retail cash tills of today’s technological era are also able to display stock levels, print off receipts and labels and store customer details in a database.

No modern EPoS system is complete without a database functionality. For a business to be a success, it should make organisation a top priority. This involves knowing the details of your suppliers, products, staff and customers depending on what services you offer. The hardware that comes with your EPoS can store these details.

If customers can shop with you online then it is a good idea to link your EPoS with your website. Customers will be made aware of any low levels in stock and whether an order will be delayed because of out of stock items. If you have a sale on the EPoS will also change prices.

When it comes to stock and inventory, an EPoS system can do so much more than your usual back-room worker. The relationship between you and your employee will be solved as the EPoS can automatically tell them which items are low in stock. Not only does this make sure you never run out of anything, but it also helps your suppliers.

You will find business life much easier with an EPoS network. You will be able to manage your stock levels much better and should see your customer service improve.

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Improving Restaurant Performance: Using New Technology!

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

Today, we are living in a new age of immense technological advances. Cars are parking themselves, sheep are being cloned, and humanoids are being developed. Your business needs to stay in pace with the times or you’ll suffer being left behind in the competition. If you’re in the restaurant business, we have suggestion that will help you step-by-step.

As technology continues to grow, a business cannot afford to spend more time on the basic operational and record-keeping needs. A point-of-sales system (POS)is simply a computer software and hardware network that can immediately record sales as they are occurring.

 

The advantages of using an efficient restaurant POS system

POS systems provides businesses “real time” updates of their inventory and a better leverage when making business decisions based on their sales. Below describes why your business will benefit from adopting POS systems:

- POS systems automatically record all sales. How many times have you scratched your head wondering why there is a deviation from the books and inventory? Well this will not be a problem any longer. A business cannot put a price on a flawless accurate sales tracking.

- Often a business will implement sales and other promotions to invite customer intrigue. This can cause you a whole year of headache if items, prices and dates are not accurately logged. Any POS System can process these automatically, to avoid confusion and frustration when tracking or calculating.

- To small to medium-sized business owners, who can’t be present at all times. This problem can create high anxiety for the owner and disarray for the business. POS systems basically runs the inventory and sales tracking portion of the business for you at all times whether you are present or not.

- For a small to medium-sized business owner with multiple locations, maintaining consistency can become a concern. Prices may or may not vary depending on location, but the number of customers and their demands will differ. A POS system will enable a business owner to keep track of multiple stores’ inventories and affords the possibility of accounting for meeting different demands and product.

- Along with the period of new technologies so is the hassle of getting them all. Tools that come separately can be expensive and confusing; a progressive POS system will offer many business tools in one package.

- A good POS system will not only help track inventory and pricing, but will give more time for the owner and his employees to concentrate more towards the the business and customer needs, and generating revenue. Many hours can be spent trying to find the root of a miscalculation and in remedying the problem; this will not be an issue with a business that institutes a POS system.

 

Need more information or an online resource?

Go to POS-For-Restaurants.com

The author of this article is the Vice-President of Customer Relations at POS-For-Restaurants with over 20 years of experience serving the automation needs of restaurants of all types throughout the U.S.

 

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Point of Sale Equipment - types of input devices

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

Input devices - Restaurant Point of Sale Equipment 

Point of Sale (POS) Equipment: Keyboards and touch screens

Choosing which input devices to use as your point of sale equipment should be one of the important tasks listed in your checklist. Choosing whether to go with a touch screen or a programmable keyboard helps you save time and money. The only market where programmable keyboards are mostly used is grocery stores, because it can program individual keys for specific item codes and prices.

Touch screens are more intuitive to use than keyboards for many users. They also provide more flexibility in the user interface and programming. Most touch screens sold these days are based on flat-screen LCDs instead of traditional CRT monitors. While LCD touch screens are a bit more expensive (typically $600 - $1,000 instead of $400 - $500), they are sturdier, doesn’t use much electricity, and saves up space. They also look much better. With both CRT and LCD displays, avoid “overlay” touch screens that are added on to regular monitors - these monitors tend to breakdown easily and even causes unnecessary complications to your system.

When it comes to keyboards, some has the standard 101-keys model that you can find with any computer. Others are smaller, more POS-specific devices, such as the flat-panel membrane keyboards you often see on fast food chains. Often, POS keyboards come with built-in magnetic stripe readers for processing credit cards. Programmable keyboards usually go for between $150 and $300.

No matter which you use, just make sure you consider the environment where it will be used. You can find both keyboards and touch screens have varying levels of spills and dusts proofing.

POS Scanners
POS scanners reads an item’s barcode and sends the information back to the computer. Typically, scanners connect to the system through Y-connectors called wedges that make them function as an extension of the keyboard. It can improve the speed of transaction as well as accurately stores information.

Low quality, cheap scanners are based on charge-coupled device (CCD) technology. They cost less, but usually have limitations - the item being scanned needs to be 1 to 3 inches from the scanner. In a typical retail setting, it should be fine.

Laser scanners uses a beam of light in order to read bar codes, they offer much better scanning ability since they are able to scan at long ranges. You may find some laser scanners that automatically turn themselves on when scanning and then turn off again, this is called “autosensing”. Omnidirectional scanners send out 15 or 20 lasers simultaneously, making bar code scanning from any angle easy. And the top of the line are embedded scanners, which are omnidirectional scanners that are installed below a counter, commonly seen in supermarkets.

Properly use different types of scanners to serve customers. If the counter line has only one or a couple of customers, CCDs or entry-level laser scanners should be able to meet your needs. A fairly constant flow of customers might call for an autosensing model, and for businesses with high volume of traffic, they should check out omnidirectional or embedded scanners. Prices range from below $100 for the most basic CCD scanners to $350 or more for omnidirectional laser scanners.

Handheld POS terminal
The latest type of input device is the handheld, wireless terminal. For PDAs, this handheld terminal wirelessly transmits orders back to a base station. A distinct advantage for restaurants is that they increase the amount of time servers spend on taking orders on the floor and interacting with customers, because it eliminates the need to go back to a terminal to process orders.

Write-on handhelds: instead of trying to fit a touch-screen interface onto a tiny PDA screen, these devices allow servers to simply write the orders down. Handwriting recognition software parses the order then sends it on to the kitchen and bar as needed.

Handheld terminals are more expensive compared to traditional touch-screen order terminals. However they can make up for the cost by up-selling customers with more desserts and drinks. If you are evaluating handheld terminals, make sure you ask about the “drop test” - units are rated for toughness according to how much of a fall they can survive. You can easily find out if your business is a candidate for handheld POS terminals by comparing POS equipment from multiple dealers and check out their offered products and services.

 

 

For more information and free POS quotes or perhaps an online resource?

Visit POS-For-Restaurants.com

The author of this article is the Vice-President of Customer Relations at POS-For-Restaurants with over 20 years of experience serving restaurants of all types throughout the U.S.

 

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Choosing The Right Retail POS System For Your Business

Monday, July 20th, 2009
by Amy Nutt

When choosing the right retail point-of-sale system (POS) for your business, it is essential to understand what type of system will best meet your needs. The best POS system is one that can perform all of the functions required for your business.

A POS system can increase profits by providing a quick and reliable check-out process, maintain detailed sales and inventory reports, and provide integrated profit increasing programs such as loyalty programs, coupons, and special discount programs.

The following information outlines important features of POS systems to help you identify which one will be right for you:

Identify Your Business Needs: A POS system will increase business efficiency by eliminating needless work. It is important to choose a retail POS system that increases the speed of service. Some POS software is designed for large merchandise sales such as appliances, while other systems are designed for many products and thousands of transactions such as in department stores. Other considerations include: Will the credit/ debit card processing system and accounting software integrate with the businesses’ merchant account? Are reports in real-time? What reporting capabilities will you need? Will the POS provider train staff? Can you make changes to the system easily? Do you have operations spread over multiple locations? Will there be support if the POS system goes down?

Choose A Reputable Company: Research the POS provider. Look for well-established companies that are known to the business community as reliable and honest. The company should have references, provide after-hours technical support, provide warranty protection, assist with incorporating the system in the business, and are up-to-date on software and new features. Software, hardware, and services should be from one company. This avoids any future problems when trying to get glitches resolved. You may also be offered a deal.

Understand the Costs and Create a Budget: The prices of the various POS systems can vary. You should know how much you can spend before you start shopping for a POS system. You should consider such system requirements as software, point-of-sale terminals, peripheral devices, back-office servers, training, and Internet connection. Depending on the size of your business, the price of a POS system can range from a few thousand to ten thousand dollars or more.

Talk to Other Businesses: It can be helpful to talk to other businesses in your area to get their feedback about their own POS system. They can give you a candid assessment of their experiences with the system and offer helpful buying tips.

Acquire a Demo: Using a Demo will allow a business to get a feel for what the system will be like before making the purchase. Make sure it can adapt as the business grows.

The best POS system is one that will run your business the way that you want. It is important talk with a technology consultant before making a POS purchase. A consultant can help assess the pros and cons of a particular system. Because POS systems improve business efficiency, have greater flexibility and better reporting, the investment will pay for itself quite quickly.

About the Author:
POS Systems help customers at the point of sale, you can ring up sales, add discounts, perform returns, and process payments simple and quick. Retail software can eliminate time-consuming paper-based tracking, reduce errors and remind you to re- stock.

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