Let’s talk about Point of Sale (POS) software systems. It’s not the most exciting subject in the world, but if you’re a restaurateur, you know the importance of running a tight ship. It’s hard work even when things are going great, so any system you buy needs to soothe the burden of busy day-to-day operations.
Here at Ready, our mission is not to replace good POS software, but to complement and work in tandem with it. However, we acknowledge that buying the right POS software for your business is a big step. We know all too well what happens when you invest in the wrong one—everything from disorganized staff members to frustrated customers to inaccurate billing.
To avoid these headaches, let us help you on your search.
Know What You Need from Your POS
There’s a big difference between “wants” and “needs”. When investigating your next restaurant POS system, it’s easy to be overwhelmed or seduced by bells, whistles, and optional extras. Consider making a list of your core needs and then splitting them into “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves” before you start your research in earnest.
Get a Solution That’s Made for Foodservice
You need dedicated POS support service from a supplier that truly understands the needs of the restaurant and foodservice business. It’s a totally different world from retail. Your supplier needs to know the impact that downtime will have on your operations, and needs to be willing to respond urgently when necessary.
Do a Sanity Check with Other Customers
Found the perfect POS? It might look good on paper, but for a truly impartial perspective, you can ask to speak to your potential supplier’s other customers. It definitely helps to have the perspective of someone who truly gets what you’re looking for. But if the supplier is reluctant to connect you, it’s probably time to look elsewhere.
Make Sure Your Staff Will Benefit
Your restaurant POS system needs to be user-friendly. Your staff need to be able to work with it confidently when they’re under pressure during a busy dinner service. Not only can POS system be expensive, but your staff will have to take time to learn the new system—which could be met with reluctance. If the system is so complex that even the most tech-savvy servers are going to struggle with it, then what’s the point in having it at all? Mobile POS (mPOS) systems not only free up valuable counter space, they are compatible with smartphones and tablets, making them simple to use and cost-effective.
Ensure It Works with Your Other Systems
Scalability, flexibility, and compatibility are crucial components for any piece of software. That means your POS system needs to be able to integrate with existing accounting, reservations, or scheduling systems you already have in place. Starting over with an all-in-one solution would be nice but, as far as we know, there is not one solution out there that can cater to all the software needs of a modern restaurant. can often be more hassle than it’s worth. Not only can they be expensive, but your staff will have to take time to learn the new system—which could be met with reluctance.
At the end of the day, a guest's first impression is largely influenced by customer service. No matter how good your kitchen team is, nobody leaves with a good taste in their mouths if they haven't had an outstanding experience. While a POS system can't replace great customer service, it can go a long way in streamlining your business so that your team can focus their efforts on ensuring that customers are leaving happy—and coming back.
Ready to start the search? We’ve compiled this list of the most popular restaurant POS systems for you:
Good luck!
Let Ready be the perfect complement to your POS system. Allow your Front of House staff to spend more time personalizing diners’ experiences, connect managers with guests instantaneously, and decrease guest wait times—with one simple app.
