Most restaurants nowadays will have a POS system. It is an essential part of the operation to keep a business successful as it can take care of a lot of the grunt work.
What is a POS system?
POS, short for “point-of-sales”, is a software that allows you to optimize your restaurant management. It can do a number of things for you such as order and inventory tracking, generating sales reports, billing, and more. These are just the basics. A powerful and efficient POS system can do a whole lot more! If done right, it will benefit your business tremendously in terms of sales, guests’ satisfaction, and overall growth.
There are a million things a POS can do. It can be challenging to figure out what is necessary if you’re just starting. That is why finding a reputable provider that can assess your needs and walk you through the process with ease.
How about we give you some tips in the meantime? It never hurts to learn, right?
Here are Top 10 things a POS system should do
1. Provide precise table management
It’s important to have a real-time floor plan so that servers and hosts are always up-to-date about sections and table changes. It should also allow you to keep track of order and payment status so you can manage service timing.
2. Manage tips and due backs
It is hard to keep track of sales, tips, and due backs without a computerized system that calculates everything for you. A POS can automatically compute the amount of tips a server is owed and allow them to easily reconcile money owed at the end of the shift.
3. Help you stay on track with your inventory
Need to know what supplies you need to replenish? How much? When? Let your POS help you figure that out. It will track the amount of inventory you’re using for every order you get and notify you when you are running low and it’s time to order more. With this function, it is easier to avoid over and under stocking what you need to run your establishment.
4. Warn you when an item is 86 (sold out)
Speaking of running low, there will be times when an item is sold out because it cannot be replenished in time for whatever reason. Your POS should let you know when an item is running low and it definitely should tell you immediately when it’s sold out. When an item is sold out, the software will stop the item from being rung in so that you won’t risk disappointing your guests.
5. Accept mobile payments (BONUS: WeChat/Alipay/UnionPay)
If your POS doesn’t allow guests to pay by their smartphones, maybe it is time to consider an upgrade! An additional tip is to include payment through WeChat, Alipay, and UnionPay to cater to a market that is diversifying.
6. Provide reports whenever you want
7. Online ordering
8. Help you track who your fans are
A great POS system should help you keep track of who your loyal fans and frequent guests are. An integrated loyalty function in the form of membership points or punch cards should be implemented so that you can elevate your guests’ experience and build a solid relationship with them.
9. Make every transaction quick and easy
Your POS should be able to make every transaction pain free for both you and your guests. With a touch of a few buttons, your staff can split any bills easily in anyway guests desire.
10. Onsite and 24/7 helpdesk support
Need help with your system? A great POS provider should offer 24/7 helpdesk support and additional onsite service on demand so that you can overcome any challenges that come your way quickly.
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