In case you have a restaurant, there is a huge possibility that you are using some type of POS system in order to perform all kinds of sales transactions. POS application development has gained traction in recent years. Even though the most common function of a POS system is to electronically process transactions, the systems which are geared toward the entire hospitality industry, majorly contain various restaurant POS features which specifically cater to the requirements of the restaurant.
These different restaurant POS features are effectively designed in order to help the operation of the Front House with much more ease, creating unity between the kitchen and dining hall as well as to provide the tools for restaurants for much better services. Mentioned here are some of the important restaurant POS features that you need to consider along with the cost of development to build a restaurant POS software.
1.Reporting
Restaurant POS software can easily offer you with a wide range of information which is helpful to run the business. The best restaurant POS software has inherent sales reports which provide a better and scannable overview of the most vital sales data along with the menu intelligence reports which can offer vital information regarding which dishes are getting sold and what are they costing to your business.
POS software can also offer insight through various labour reports which can assist in managing as well as organizing scheduling as well as labour costs along with monitoring the productivity of the staff.
2.Floor Plans and Customized Menu
A good restaurant POS software will allow you to easily customize the interface in such a way that it works quite intuitively with the floor plan and menu. You can easily create courses as well as automatically fire items. You can even customize which changes can be easily made to the dishes and even move items to various courses. You are also allowed to customize the floor plan on the POS software in order to assist in facilitating a much smoother service.
3.Customer Database
POS software is quite important for the data which they store regarding the most frequent customers which help in providing better service to the people who are regular. You can easily use the software to save anniversaries, birthdays and other vital information about the customers. Certain POS software allows the restaurant to create various automatic customer profiles as well as track purchase history along with writing notes and even create groups. Hire POS developer who can easily integrate the customer database in the system.
4.Integration of Automated Inventory
A good restaurant POS software feature is integration with the house management platforms’ back to automate the inventory tracking. This essentially means that for each item your restaurant sells, that particular item is automatically reduced from the inventory. Various POS software integrate with the Back of House management to sync the kitchen and the Front of House. By using these tools, the different restaurant operations can easily reduce the waste as well as increase accuracy and even increase their bottom line.
5.Table-side and Tablet Ordering
Various food ordering apps which are tailored to restaurants often provide customer-facing checkout services. This particular quick-service system shortens the entire wait time in order to place an order and even pay the bill that in turn facilitates a faster table turnover. Table-side tablet ordering has essentially become a major feature in the restaurant POS software such that the servers can easily take the orders much faster and even allocate their own time much more efficiently.
6.Integration of Gift Card and Loyalty Programs
Restaurant POS software generally have integrated loyalty programs such that you don’t actually have to print out loyalty cards and punch holes in them. All previous purchases of the customer are stored in the system such that you can provide loyalty incentives. Restaurants have the inherent ability to save as well as process gift cards without actually affecting sales transactions. Guest can redeem their gift card easily as all of the information is stored. Restaurants can also monitor their gift card programs in better ways.
7.Cloud Services
POS application development is rapidly adopting cloud services. Restaurant POS software are essentially built on the cloud that means all of the activities are easily accessible to the main staff members. It also allows the owners and managers to have a bird eye’s view of their entire business without actually have to be physically present there.
8.Marketing
Marketing for the restaurants is majorly based on your business’s internet presence, particularly on social media. It starts with a well-structured website which provides valuable information to visitors such as menus, hours, contact info along with links to various associated social media websites. These social websites are actually the heart and the soul of an effective and efficient marketing campaign.
A well-structured Facebook, Twitter or Instagram page allows the business owners to easily stay engaged with their new as well as returning customers throughout the day. Having other customers go out as well as share your story with their friends and family members is quite priceless as well as virtually effortless.
9.Technical Support
The importance of particularly good support from the restaurant POS provider can never be overstated. Anybody who has actually worked in a restaurant environment actually knows the panic which ensues when the software goes down. Getting a person on the phone who can troubleshoot the system throughout the day actually goes a long way in case of alleviating the various problems. Also, web-based systems also have a definite advantage as a support team member can be always present there are the non-panic times too. Initial set up, software upgrades, credit card help and ongoing training are some of the things which support needs to be helping the restaurant owns with.
Cost of Development of Restaurant POS Software
In case you have a particularly single register business, you can expect the cost of development close to $1,000 to $1,500. You also have to add an extra $1,000 in various software subscription fees along with the payment processing fees which will vary with the above-mentioned fees. You should look for transparent and fair pricing from the payment processor and also know that you have control over the insights that you essentially get.
Conclusion
Restaurant POS software is revolutionizing the restaurant industry. There are certain vital features that need to be inculcated in this software. Some of the important ones are mentioned above along with the cost of developing a good restaurant POS software.
