Restaurant orders in the past revolved around people’s memories, mental arithmetic and the pad and pen. You’d need a determined, trustworthy and sometimes large workforce to rely on. In addition, lots of little quirks creep up into the ordering system to quicken processes for restaurants and customers. One of the earliest forms of POS systems in Singapore is the Kopitiam key word system. It has long been a great feature of Singaporean coffee shop ordering. This special lingo is a mash-up of Hokkien, other Chinese dialects and Malay but also makes references to popular culture – it’s very creative indeed and from tourists to locals. It always has its place in Singaporean coffee shop culture.
Kopitiam drink keywords don’t just denote the variety of drink that you’re ordering but also the preference of milk, drink concentration, sugar and other extras. Money was calculated manually or with the assistance of an abacus and whilst this remained efficient for years, more and more POS systems were implemented amongst kopitiams in order to speed up the ordering process for both customer and merchant. After all, Singapore is much busier now and tracking thousands of potential orders daily would be quite a task!
Now, POS systems are widespread. They simply allow for greater control and efficiency, allowing merchants to keep track of sales data alongside their finances. As restaurants grew, matters became more complex and now, we have a new breed of high-tech POS systems that can handle all sorts from table placement to data tracking and analytics.
So, what exactly is a POS system?
A POS system is a combination of both software and hardware systems that enables merchants to receive transactions from customers whilst overviewing the payment process from the point of order to the point of completion. POS systems began as simple methods for collecting and overviewing cash but have evolved into creative systems that help merchants maximise their profits through data analytics whilst providing services to customers. Innovative POS systems now add a fun element of interaction for customers who can check out menus in the glorious HD that we’re used to whilst picking optional extras and making custom choices with the touch of a finger.
Types of POS Systems
Traditional POS System
A traditional, or legacy system is essentially a standard cash register and software system whereby your POS system can be used to store data locally on closed internal networks. It’s basically a standard PC system which runs software via a Windows or Linux OS. Tried, tested and cheap.
Pros:
- You can work offline with a traditional POS system and for many that is an untradeable asset. Because the POS terminal is a PC running software, it syncs relatively seamlessly with a whole host of software like Edexcel which can be used for accounting purposes.
- These POS systems are tried, tested and have stood the test of time.
Cons
- These POS systems aren’t easy to edit. Changing details surrounding table layouts, prices, extra options and menus often requires programming skill.
- Traditional POS systems are fixed terminals meaning that a significant component of your restaurant’s tasks will still be carried out via pen and paper.
- Traditional POS systems don’t have streamlined stats or data, meaning that performing analytics on your sales isn’t so easy.
- The software is becoming dated, meaning it doesn’t so easily integrate with the latest equipment. For larger, more advanced merchants they simply don’t make the cut anymore – merchants need more power in a POS system
Cloud Based POS System
Cloud based POS systems host their data online. Not online is this more secure, it also means that data can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. These lightweight systems interface tablets together with central POS systems. Providing all-in-one packages that cover anything from shift management to delivery and collections.
Pros
- Cloud-based systems are souped up for modern usage and therefore show all manner of statistics in handy charts and graphs.
- They feature modular systems where extra upgrades can be added into the software easily.
- All features have some level of editability with variables like discounts, pricing structures and menus
Cons:
- Cloud based systems are newer and are therefore pricier with costs associated to running, maintenance, training and tech support.
Why is it so important to automate a restaurant using POS systems?
In Singapore, the digital age of restaurant automation is partly resulting from strict labour laws and the difficulty of acquiring work permits. Growing a business’ employees can take months and therefore, solutions that take more out of the hands of staff are in demand. Restaurants need a lot of staff, from waiters to waitresses to chefs and managers and automating just a few processes like cash registration can reduce their strain considerably. Communication is key and the restaurant environment is often loud and busy – getting messages from one side to the other isn’t too easy, mistakes are inevitable! To overcome these challenges, various restaurant processes can be automated to be more streamlined for merchants and more interactive for customers.
Latest tech in automating a restaurant using POS systems
#1 E- Menus
E-Menus allow restaurants to display their offerings in full HD with visually striking formats which are fun to use – you can really get creative, displaying your branding with quirky extra features like mini-games or funny annotations. Often used on a tablet, an e-menu comes with tons of customizable options. E-Menus can reduce the merchant’s costs of printing menus and regular specials. A great example would be the e-menus implemented at our sushi restaurants.
#2 Mobile integration
Integration with mobile apps is undoubtedly becoming an important avenue for restaurants who want to explore modern automation methods. Quirky and creative apps are the perfect partners for some snazzy and trendy restaurants who can use them to take their USP to the next creative level. Apps which integrate with people’s mobiles encourage sales maximise profit margins whilst keeping things slick and simple.
#3 Staff are less strained with multi-tasking
Automated POS systems feature payment automation which is fast and secure. Customers can select from picture menus and add any extra notes, pay securely using their phone and then receive their food in one seamless motion. For merchants, this means staff don’t need to attend to customer orders and till duties as frequently. Apps like Waitrr that combine all of this into one sleek package quicken processes considerably for everyone.
#4 Delivery and Collection
The online delivery and collection industry is perhaps the FASTEST growing of all and as a result, restaurants that offer this service stay firmly on the pulse of today’s restaurant trends. Online sites and apps that integrate POS systems have taken a step ahead in creating a fast and hassle free ordering experience. At Waitrr, we provide an interface that communicates orders between customer and restaurant quick and seamlessly.
Waitrr plugs right into your food and beverage business. It’s a snug fit for any existing or developing restaurant as it seamlessly integrates into your current setup without any hassle. In fact, Waitrr can be installed in less than a day and the benefits are instant. Customers can connect to Waitrr both at home when ordering for delivery or collection as well as in-store. By selecting orders from beautifully designed and easily customizable menus through Waitrr, it’s easy to choose exactly what you want along with any extras. Easily editable, Waitrr’s menu system enables merchants to quickly adjust their offerings at the touch of a button. Transactions are dealt with securely and all order data and associated statistics are stored for easy access. For delivery and collections, Waitrr provides an order stream directly to your kitchen, bypassing the need to receive and organise orders over the phone. Automating these processes with Waitrr saves time and money and it’s just so simple to get started!
POS systems have advanced rapidly and as time marches on, those keeping up with the best tools available will be best equipped to deal with a new age of digital automation in the restaurant.
Utilising the new generation of bolt-on POS systems like Waitrr allows you to focus on running your business. It’s an in-the-box solution that gives merchants more flexibility to turn their attention to their customers and staff. Operating a business without worrying unnecessarily about mundane tasks like taking transactions and organising collection and delivery times will enhance your workflow and that’s an enormous asset in today’s fast-paced restaurant environment.
If you’re a merchant and would like to give the Waitrr a go in creating a quick, simple and secure experience for your customers and restaurant, don’t hesitate to let us know now! We’d like to hear from you too, so drop us a comment below if you have any inquiries.