A POS (point of sale system) is both the hardware and software that enables you to process payments in your restaurant or online, using cash, debit, credit cards & mobile or contactless payments. The latest trends also include self-service options, and order-and-pay table technology.
Back in the day, POS systems were only used to process sales, but today, a POS system will record all your transactions, track inventory, print checks, email or text receipts, record and analyze date and assist with staff scheduling.
Choosing a POS system? Here are some key considerations from the Gnosis team:
1. Your service model and goals
What do you need the POS system to do? A food truck or coffee shop’s reasons for obtaining a POS system are vastly different from that of an upscale full-service restaurant. A coffee shop, for example, might prioritize customer loyalty programs, whereas a restaurant might need course firing, check splitting & handheld POS systems to increase table turnover times.
Most POS systems charge by the terminal. You shouldn’t have to pay for terminals that are not currently in use, but the contract should also be set up in such a way that more terminals can be added as your business grows.
2. Managing large order volumes from different sources
Most restaurants now offer dine-in and take-out options, which require you to have a POS system with multiple terminals. Your chosen POS system should be able to seamlessly integrate orders received from various channels, generate the correct tickets and communicate this to the kitchen.
3. Third-party integrations
A third-party integration is a piece of software that links to your POS system to expand or enhance your operations. An example of this is how data from the POS system feeds into your accounting system. Ideally the two systems should communicate with each other, so you don’t have to duplicate entries in the accounting system. Any third-party integrations you choose should mean any changes are made only once and filtered down to all applicable applications.
4. POS hardware
POS hardware refers to all the physical input and output devices you need to make the POS work at the point of purchase. This could be anything from a standard computer or an iPad, to barcode scanners, a cash register and printers. POS hardware is normally designed to work with specific software, which means you can’t just buy any printer and expect it to function with your POS system. POS software providers often create specific hardware bundles that work with their system, so it's worth exploring for long term cost savings.
5. Ease of use
Both guests and staff will interact with your POS system, so it needs to be user-friendly and easy to use. If the POS system is easy to understand and follow, new hires will catch on quickly and it will provide a pleasant guest experience too.
Do you need help with your POS system?
Our team of engineers has vast experience with POS systems and we're ready to assist with any queries you might have.
