It’s as simple as eliminating errors between servers and the kitchen. It’s as basic as making sure you charge for everything that’s served. It’s as liberating as knowing your end-of-day reports are just a few keystrokes away. It’s as bottom line as making sure your customers are satisfied. The right POS system can help you manage and control all aspects of your business including Ease of Use, Guest Check Control, Labor Management, and Total Cost of Ownership overtime.
The POS Purchase Process
- Evaluate your situation and needs.
- How can you speed operations?
- How can you increase control without sacrificing service?
- How can you enhance the guest experience?
- How easy is the POS system to use by you and your employees?
- Invite staff members to make recommendations.
- Prioritize your requirements.
- Identify major providers with local service and support, and initiate discussion.
- Check supplier references and demo select systems.
- Solicit proposals from no more than a few suppliers. Serious proposals should include:
- total cost through implementation and initial training
- total cost of maintaining the system over the next 5 years
- line item description of tasks, responsibilities and costs
- detailed implementation timeline. (Allow 5 weeks for proper installation.)
- Evaluate proposals and select a supplier.
- Implement your system: The major steps include:
- site survey and preparation
- programming and installation
- manager and staff training
- on-site support as system goes “live”
- on-going service-local on-site or over the phone
What do you really need?
That’s the very first step in the process of purchasing a Point-Of-Sale information management system. Before you talk to any supplier, you must make a realistic examination of the strengths and weaknesses of your operations, your current or expected headaches, your own expectations of what a system should do and your budget.
Know your POS suppliers.
You and your POS supplier are embarking on a relationship. If your supplier is good, it will be a partnership that makes your life simpler and your operations many times more efficient and profitable. Some key questions to ask include:
- How long has the supplier been in business?
- Is the supplier a restaurant/ hospitality specialist?
- Is the supplier committed to a long-term relationship?
- Is the supplier’s support and service operation local?
- Can the supplier refer you to satisfied customers who have operations similar to yours?
- A good supplier can talk about the future and knows what’s hot on the horizon.
- A good supplier will offer you numerous options.
- A good supplier asks a lot of questions and listens carefully.
- A good supplier will want to understand the details of your operation before making recommendations.
Don’t’ be afraid to ask questions. A good supplier welcomes questions and should be able to give you answers you can understand. You are embarking on a partnership with your supplier, and you should feel comfortable together.
Remember your POS system is one of the most important business decisions you will make. Selecting the right system and you will simplify your life and increase the profitability of your operation.