Hybrid POS Systems Provide Cost Savings to Restaurants
The practice of operating a restaurant solely through one or two centralized terminals is quickly becoming a thing of the past. With the drive toward speed and efficiency, not to mention rising costs related to wait staff and other employees, POS systems have adapted to the specific needs of the hospitality industry. In particular, these systems combine the best of both worlds, integrating your operation through centralized terminals while freeing up staff with mobile equipment and other wireless devices. And the results are easily measured through lower operating costs and employees that operate at peak efficiency.
But the improvements aren't just limited to human capital.
Hybrid POS systems have also become increasingly popular for their ability to provide cloud storage and an onsite POS system. This marriage of cloud and server networking is what enables restaurant staff to use handheld tablets to take orders and process payments at each individual table. At the same time, this data is simultaneously updated in the cloud for real-time data management and reporting - data that is made immediately available to the kitchen and can be accessed anywhere else.
By tracking sales moment-by-moment, this Hybrid approach is extremely beneficial to inventory control and ordering. More importantly, it ensures the optimal customer experience by eliminating errors and expediting service.
Key features of a hybrid POS system
No matter how great the food, a restaurant's success is made or broken by the quality of its service. And a hybrid POS system has been created uniquely to ensure that every customer experiences the fastest, most efficient service possible. In doing so, these platforms have been shown to build brand equity.
Hybrid technology has also demonstrated a positive, rapid impact on a restaurant's bottom line, increasing customer loyalty, decreasing expenses, and bolstering your restaurant's profitability. By creating a transaction hub that serves as a centralized source of information, tracking sales and other data obtained through wireless devices, the system helps enhance efficiency and generate new revenue potential.
Quality providers can custom-tailor a system that works with the specifics of your restaurant to increase your table turnarounds by reducing the average service time. Some of these popular enhancements include:
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How to find the right hybrid POS system
Merging the basic cash register with an advanced point-of-sale system, a hybrid POS can be customized to adapt to your workflow rather than forcing you and your staff to adapt to it. Easily configured for your food, beverage, or retail business, many quality systems also include embedded technology, completely eliminating the issues common to Windows-based POS systems through a dedicated, self-contained software platform.
While there are a number of individual variables that relate to the specifics of your restaurant, there are also a number of generalized questions that can help you compare hybrid POS systems and their respective dealers. Know the answers to the following questions in advance then select the best fit accordingly.
- Can I transfer my existing data into the new system?
- How does the POS process credit cards? And will I still be able to work with my merchant services?
- How is data backed up (automatic or manual)? And is it saved in the cloud?
- What security measures do you have in place to protect my data in the cloud?
- How are software upgrades delivered (automatic via web updates or in-person through service representatives?)
- What are the hours for live support? And what if I need help during off-hours?