There once was a time when the role of a cash register was to securely store money and tally up the sales total at the end of the day.

And while, for many small businesses this remains a major priority of their Point of Sale equipment, it is worth considering some of the other basic advantages that can be gained by having a well set up, integrated POS system

Enhances Staff Efficiency
A properly configured POS terminal should be easy for your staff to use. The recent move towards touch screen systems allows more items to be accessible with just one or two touches of the screen. Another critically important factor is having the POS layout set out logically so that when staff are entering a sale, they can quickly and easily navigate between different items.
Most systems include advanced POS functionality designed to improve efficiency, such as table number and customer account tracking, along with condiment item entry when selling certain products. For example, selling a meal can automatically prompt for cooking instructions, sauce options and other inclusions. Therefore, effective POS terminals allow the operator to be quicker when serving customers – reducing wait time and staff overheads.

Simplifies Communication Processes
Effective in-house communication is vital – whether it’s a waitperson sending an accurate order to the kitchen, correct items being added to a table’s bill by multiple staff, or management receiving up-to-date sales figures from the POS. A properly implemented POS system can significantly enhance this communication.
Recent improvements in network communication allow sales data to be transferred from the front-of-house to the back-office, the storeroom or the kitchen virtually instantly. Many systems include the capacity for wireless communication, allowing remote devices such as waiter pads to be connected. So when implementing a new POS system, communication capabilities need to be at the forefront of the plans. It is amazing how often a new café is ready to open, only to reach a stumbling block due to poorly planned infrastructure.

Provides Detailed Sales Trend Analysis
Most POS systems come with some level of back-office reporting. This vital component of the integrated point of sale solution allows café owners and managers to keep their “finger on the pulse” of the business. For instance, comparing sales performance figures across a day, week, month or year allows you to manage staff costs and inventory needs, as well as measure profitability and the success of promotions you undertake.
The key to continued success in any business is understanding where improvements can be made and then taking advantage of these opportunities, preferably without significantly increasing overheads. Objective analysis of your café is only possible when sales trends can be examined and understood. So the better the reporting facility linked to your POS is, the greater your chances are of success.

Promotes System Flexibility
Of course, if you see an opportunity to improve your business, you need your system to be flexible enough for you to implement changes quickly and easily, without disrupting your business operation. This would include the ability to adjust pricing based on market forces or changes in ingredient costs, adding new items to your system to improve your product mix, or even adjusting your POS screen layouts to aid operational efficiency.
There are many other features of an integrated POS system that are of great benefit in the management of a hospitality venue. But when deciding on a new POS system, or even when looking at making improvements to your current setup, don’t overlook these four basic factors – efficiency, communication, analysis and flexibility. When your point of sale solution cares for these fundamentals well, you are able to spend more time doing the thing you love most – serving great coffee to the people that love coming to your café!

By Justin Bromage, POSLYNX