Why you should consider an EPOS system

Electronic Point of Sale (EPoS) is the hardware and accompanying software that allows you to process orders and payments and provides real-time reporting and stock management information. It can be used to process room payments in hotels and also food and beverages or even things like Spa treatments, helping you to keep track of stocks and control and track payments from different revenue centres.

If you run any loyalty schemes or a CRM (Customer Relationship Marketing) programmes and discounts and promotions, it offers you an organised solution to help you manage sales from various areas, from one point of sale.

In this way you can help to avoid double charging, providing greater accuracy for your customers when they settle their bill.

In order to streamline all aspects of your business, be that a hotel, restaurant or pub, you must have a reliable way of accepting and processing payments that will make it easy for your staff and your customers.

Bars and pubs in particular are having to find safer ways to serve customers, like providing table service, taking contactless payments, and using order and pay platforms. The result is that bars are having to run tighter shifts, and technology is being relied upon to run things more efficiently.

Restaurateurs find that using an EPOS linked handheld ordering device offers them a simple way of connecting to their tills. This can be hugely time-saving compared to the traditional pen and paper method of taking orders and can also help to keep track of orders and stock.

Benefits of using POS Systems in the Hospitality sector

With so much to juggle in running a hotel, investing in an EPOS system will offer many key benefits.

• Integrate your ‘at table’, delivery and takeaway services

• Track favourite orders to offer a personalised service to every customer

• Use customisable floor plans to maximise the number of covers and track orders when customers switch tables

• Digitally send orders directly to the kitchen, eliminating confusion and paper tickets

• Integrate your sales data with your accounting software to easily keep track of everything

• Access powerful sales reports on multiple devices so you can see what is and isn’t selling, and plan promotional campaigns accordingly

• Use staff management tools to track employee activity and record hours worked

Think about also investing in an order and pay app. An order and pay app will enable you to set up click and collect, order at table, and delivery services. 

It's essential to compare the market and ensure you choose a system that works out as the best possible value for the needs of your business.

Key considerations when choosing and EPOS system include:

• Fast order entry

• Back-end functionality

• Ease of use- how intuitive is it?

• Till features (is there a training mode? Can you split bills? etc.)

• Business management features (does the platform help with staff management? i.e rotas Does it help with sales forecasting, how does it integrate with delivery apps, and can it be used offline? )

• Stock management features (how well does the brand monitor stock and inform purchase ordering? How easy it is to create product variants, barcodes and printing options?)

• Business development (how well does each platform's feature list support scaleup?)

• Usability (how easily can you set up and master each platform? Does it produce digital receipts, and does it have a one-touch till with instant product search and customer lookups?)

• Pricing (what are the upfront costs and hidden fees? Can you get a free demo?)

• Help and support (what support options are available if an issue arises? via phone, live chat or email? )

• Customer score (how popular is each system with its existing user base?)

Cash registers for speed, efficiency and security

Did you know that the word “till” comes from the Anglo-Norman word “tylle” meaning “compartment” or Middle English “tillen” meaning “draw”. Originally a till was a drawer under the counter which stored cash.

It is important to use a cash register appropriate to your individual operation, allowing you to run efficiently and an EPOS system can help you to improve the service that you offer to your customers and guests. Features such as staff identification will also improve security and reduce the chance of theft occurring.

Keeping your numbers in line

These systems will also ultimately help you when it come to managing your tax returns and in talking to your accountant. The data will be easier to access, streamlining your financials.

Talking of streamlining the financials…if you want further advice and help from an accountancy firm that knows your business, then talk to us here at Carroll Accountants.

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Author : Tim Pane

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