A restaurant POS (Point Of Sale) software is not only a machine used to facilitate your cash transactions and keep records of your data. It is now an indispensable part of your holistic restaurant management system. The modern day POS integrates with important functions such your Inventory Management, Customer Relationship Management system, Loyalty Programs and much more. Cloud POS is streets ahead of its legacy counterpart. With cloud POS systems, there is more automation, more efficiency, and quicker operations.
Traditional POS systems and the shift
How restaurant management took place years back was really different from what it is now. Bulky restaurant POS/billing machines were used to punch in customer orders. Data that was then punched in used to get stored on local servers. Their function was largely limited to only order punching and printing of kitchen tickets and customer/restaurant receipts. With high fixed costs, these systems came with a big risk of data loss and security issues. With changing restaurant trends and fast pace of the modern world, these legacy systems were continuously proving to be significantly less efficient due to the large number of manual interventions involved.
Cut to the present, cloud POS systems have really simplified restaurant management and operations process.
In the next section, we will be taking you through the key benefits of a Cloud POS system and how it has changed the way restaurants go about their day to day operations.
Benefits of using the modern day cloud POS system at your restaurant
There are a lot of advantages of using a cloud-based restaurant Point of Sales system. Here are some of the top reasons why you should be using a cloud POS.
- Data is secure
Data storage and security are one of the main concerns for any restaurant. One big issue in a traditional POS software is the data is stored on local servers which aren’t reliable. In cloud POS systems, all data is stored on remote servers, making it safer than ever before. You would not have to worry about losing data in case of a system break-down as data can now be easily backed-up.
2.Provides you real-time software updates
A cloud POS makes updates frequently. These constant updates keep the device always new. There won’t be any need to manually update your systems time and again. You would also be doing away with upgrade costs. Legacy POS systems got obsolete quickly with no concept of software updates of course.
3. Complete Data accessibility
With the help of cloud POS, you can have access to your restaurant’s data from any location. A cloud POS does not require you to be physically present at your restaurant. An active internet is the most important thing that you need. Orders, staff shifts, cash management, inventory tracking, etc., can be managed even from the remotest of locations. This comes in very handy when you are traveling and wish to remain updated on what happens at your restaurant.
4. A system that Works offline to
Cloud POS systems allow you the facility of working offline. Poor or no internet connection would then never disrupt your restaurant’s functioning. The data is synchronized automatically once you are re-connected to the internet. Take for instance a scenario in which you are managing your coffee house. Your internet connectivity goes. Your cloud cafe POS system would then be able to work without the internet and back up the data instantly when the power returns
5. Extremely cost-effective
One major plus from a cost perspective is that cloud POS systems do not come with heavy up-front costs. The maintenance costs are low when compared with legacy systems. On the other side, cloud-based Point of Sale systems come with relatively easy to finance monthly subscription fee options.
6. The single platform restaurant solution that you need
All restaurant operations can become largely simplified with the help of the cloud-based POS systems. They come integrated with must-have features like online ordering, table reservation, CRM solutions, Loyalty Programs and more. This helps in acquiring new customers and retaining the old ones.
7. Accurate reports and analytics
A cloud POS system gives you visibility on your restaurant’s performance that includes sales, accounts, inventory, employee performance. A POS integrated with an Analytics system would be sending you simplified reports, straight to your inbox. Having an insight into these operations will let you identify where you are going wrong and how to improve.
8. Mobility
With a mobile cloud POS system, your servers can now take orders directly at the tables and the kitchen staff are instantly notified of all the incoming orders. This makes the customer service way quicker and efficient. Unlike traditional POS systems, these devices are easy to carry around and extremely straightforward to use.
Cloud POS as a way of increasing productivity
A modern-day restaurant has to deal with a ton of orders every day, both online and otherwise. This makes it necessary for restaurants to make use of cloud-based POS systems that automate the majority of operations, giving you ample time to focus more on your customers. Servers can directly punch in orders on their handheld POS systems at the tables and it then reaches the Kitchen Display Screens immediately. The flow of orders is really fluid and the food is prepared at a faster pace. This then enhances your overall productivity and the customer experience.
Choosing a POS software for your restaurant is an important step. Therefore it is imperative that you do a complete research while choosing one that works best for you.
