As a small business owner, choosing a good point of sale (POS) system for your small business isn’t just a luxury, it’s a necessity. Restaurant and bar POS systems have evolved into intelligent, comprehensive business applications with all of the functionality you and your servers need — right at your fingertips. Investing in the right POS software will not just pay for itself, but can also provide solid returns that can be measured in real-time.
Here are five essential tips to keep in mind when sourcing a new POS system solution or migrating your existing software:
1. Mobility
If your POS software hasn’t gone mobile, you might as well break out the abacus, because you’re still living in the dark ages. Standard POS touch screens and wireless printers tied to handheld iPads, iPhones, and iPod Touch terminals are the new normal in restaurant and bar operations, making each server self-sufficient with optimum table-side productivity. Intuitive interfaces and customizable touch screens are a must-have to ensure your POS software is easily adaptable to your unique operational needs.
2. Integration
Today’s top of the line POS systems enable cross-functional integration — from restaurant reservations to automated order and credit card processing and inventory control. The latest POS software leaves nothing to chance at every stage of the customer interaction and transaction cycle.
Integration is important because it optimizes your ability to track conversions between online and offline marketing and social media promotions and streamline variable expenses while maximizing return and profitability. Built-in customer relationship management (CRM) interfaces can also manage customer loyalty programs. While social media tools enable you to upload and schedule promotions, making it easier to stay in touch with your clientele and on top of products that need to be pushed.
3. Dashboards
With everything else going on, you don’t have time to crunch numbers. Dashboards distill real-time information into easily digestible visual analytics and insights on virtually any metric to help you stay on track of sales numbers and ahead of the game.
4. Cloud-Based Storage
Cloud-based POS software functionality gives business owners the option to further minimize operating expenses, whether or not access to proprietary storage is available. Look for POS systems that provide integration with free online data backup and storage solutions like Dropbox, Google Drive or Hightail.
5. Tech Support
Automation, by its very nature, is highly specialized and prone to technological hiccups. Even the very best systems need re-booting from time to time. It goes without saying that any POS system worth its salt will provide consistent, reliable tech support, so you don’t have to incur the unnecessary expense of IT support. As it pertains to sourcing or upgrading your company’s POS system, 24/7 tech-support is mission critical and non-negotiable.
It’s Good to Have Options
With all of the technological competition in the marketplace today, POS software providers are more determined than ever to provide a comprehensive, workable solution for your restaurant, bar or nightclub. Knowing how to choose the best POS software for your small business will help you make an informed, value-enhancing decision.
Chris Allen writes for Bepoz point of sale software. Allen aims to make POS software affordable and accessible to small business owners in a variety of industries. Connect with Bepoz on Twitter.
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