For the first time user, "Why POS?" explains the basics of POS
operations, benefits of owning, and things to look for in your next POS
purchase.
What is POS?
Point of Sale (POS) is the equipment and computer programs that allow the
servers in your restaurant to enter food and drink orders as soon as the
customer gives the order to the server. By forcing the server to order through
the POS system you eliminate the possibility of food going out of the kitchen
without being charged for. The same premise would be true for your bar.
POS will allow you to take control of all types of transactions in your
restaurant, making it more profitable and virtually impossible to steal
from!
What can POS do?
Every item ordered starts with your wait staff. Once the item is entered into Aloha, any modifiers to that item, such as toppings or wellness can be attached to that item. The completed item is sent through a cable to a printer or printers located throughout the restaurant such as the kitchen, bar, appetizer, or prep area. Once there, the food is prepared just the way it was ordered. Aloha POS software insures that all items on an order are printed before they are prepared, giving you control over the order and distribution process. Adding manager control over voids then assures the restaurant owner that food or beverage will not be prepared unless it is on a guest check.
Menu items can be added to the check, and checks can be transferred between bartenders and servers, at any time. Different menus for different time periods can be automatically activated by the time of day, and day of the week. POS software makes splitting checks between customers easy and efficient. Even single menu items such as a bottle of wine or a pizza can be split between customers with little effort.
When the server has completed the ordering for the table, a guest check is printed and presented to the customer. You can customize your guest check to include messages advertising specials or upcoming events. Discounts, promotions, and/or comps are then able to be taken as needed. A good POS system will also insure that questionable discounts require manager's approval before they can be taken.
Once the customer pays for the meal, the server, or cashier will process
the payment at the terminal. Credit cards, cash and checks can be processed
separately and reports generated by payment type.
Why Choose POS?
Every restaurant has many things that need to be accomplished during any particular day of business. With a POS system, your staff will have the time and information they need to insure that restaurant operations remain smooth and streamlined. A proper POS system can help to correct many common errors that take place in a restaurant, saving you time and money. Consider the following:
Wrong addition on guest checks
Incorrect items being ordered
Confusion in the kitchen
Possible theft of money, food or liquor
Employee time keeping and payroll errors
Ordering food or liquor without putting it on a guest check
Not knowing your sales breakdown by individual item
Pricing errors, change errors
High credit card processing charges
Walking to kitchen and bar to place orders
Items lost from not being put on check
Shrinkage/Theft
These are just some of the problems the proper Point of Sale system can
alleviate. If some of the problems relate to your restaurant, then read
on.
Is POS for You?
Investing in a professionally installed and maintained POS system will save time and help your bottom line increase. Using a POS system to control a restaurants current revenue base will allow it to capitalize on current revenue and make room for increased sales and customers.
POS greatly improves:
Speed of service
Accuracy of orders
Security of cash handling
Control over discounts and promotions
Ease of training new employees
Theft reduction
Control over servers
Increased sales
Sales reporting
Custom reports
Tracking server sales & performance
Tracking menu item performance
Tracking food & beverage usage
Cash back on credit card purchases
Find out how POS systems can help you control all of these concerns, automatically!
To obtain a full copy of "POS Buyers Guide" call us on our toll free number.