According to reader polls, half of today's pizzeria owners do not have a POS system. The issue isn't one of the device costs or a lack of technological expertise. Over the years, the reader polls have discovered that many store owners are hesitant to use POS systems because they are unsure which system, among the many options available, would work best for them.
There are just too many options to choose from.
Many people opt for the trial-and-error method, which leads to frustration. However, this article will help you save hours of frustration. Choosing a POS is a costly and crucial decision for your company. Making the wrong decision will cost you money, cause poor operations, and waste a lot of time.
Here is what you need to choose the right pizzeria point of sale for your pizza shop.
1. Decide What You Need.
There are hundreds of POS companies that have a variety of features. But the only thing that matters is what you and your pizzeria require. For your pizza staff, you can ask your general manager to make a list of the features you needed in a POS, the features you wanted in a POS, and the features you didn't want in a POS, everything based on your prior experience with POS systems.
That will provide you with a map for locating the best point-of-sale system for your needs. You shouldn't make a decision solely on the basis of what others are doing.
It all begins with thorough analysis and asking the appropriate questions. “Is the machine also expandable?” Is it able to evolve alongside you? Are there any training materials available that are simple to follow? Is tech help free and readily available whenever you need it?”
However, you need to know what you're offering and what the expenses should be versus what they are. A point-of-sale system assists in inventory management, labor costs, and scheduling. Even if you think you'll ever deliver, go for a POS business that understands distribution. If at all necessary, go for a pizzeria-specific POS system.
2. Make a List of Must-Haves.
For your pizzeria POS, you'll need a list of must-have features. It'd have to be easily updatable in terms of menu items, pricing, coupons, and so on; user-friendly; have a searchable customer database; quick, intuitive order entry; and 24/7 help.
You need an effective order entry mechanism that allows you to take more orders during peak business periods. It's also important to provide good cost management documentation. The inventory section can show you where you have excess, over-portioning, or under-portioning quickly and easily.
The labor cost report should provide measures to help you assess your performance and build more efficient schedules. Have the POS vendor bring your menu into their system and see how your operations operate in their POS system before you decide which system to buy.
Your list of must-haves will be determined by what you need to run your company effectively, but don't be afraid to include additional features that you will need in the future.
3. You'll Need More Features Than You Think.
You might be tempted to select a system that only covers the essentials to save money, but what happens when you're ready to grow next year? Will the features you require to be available in your current POS?
When purchasing a point-of-sale system for the first time, you have no idea which features you will or will not use. Speak with a POS user from another pizzeria that operates similarly to yours. Learn how he operates his machine and which features he cannot do without. There are probably more features—ones you don't think you'll use—that can improve your operations or profits.
4. Think About Support and Upgrades.
Upgrades and support are an essential part of the life cycle of your POS system. Once you've become reliant on your pizzeria POS and it fails, you'll need quick solutions. The initial cost of installation for POS systems is not the only consideration. Recognize that these recurring costs are a critical factor to consider when calculating a system's total cost.
Operators need to realize that they will have access to customer service when they need it, that they will be able to contact someone who is knowledgeable about the system and capable of resolving any problems they are experiencing.
Meanwhile, updates keep your system stable, current, and functional, so Magnoli advises that you don't skimp on them. Find out how often the device is upgraded. You should go with a company that is actively updating its software to resolve any problems or requests. You want to be able to evolve into a structure rather than out of it.
5. Test the System and Get Opinions.
Who would be the most likely to use your POS system? If it's your employees, it's only natural to include them in the discussion and allow them to test potential systems. Ask the employees what kind of features they'd like to see.
Then, at the start, ask the POS provider all of those questions to see how many steps each function can take. Before you commit, do your homework and test the device in a live environment.
6. Don't Let Cost Be the Deciding Factor.
When choosing a pizzeria point of sale, don't just look at the price tag. It's tempting to go for the cheapest option and hope for the best, but you can come to regret it later. Obviously, you should not buy a system that you cannot afford, but you always get what you pay for.
First, we looked at the systems that performed best for us. We only considered the price of the systems after we had a list of systems that could do the job, both the initial investment and ongoing costs. If you take advantage of all of your POS's cost-cutting, marketing, and productivity functions, the device should pay for itself.
Now that you an idea of how to choose the best pizzeria point of sales for your business, you don't have to worry about running many orders as you have a POS system that can help you work on it seamlessly. If you are looking for a restaurant POS system, you can visit Choose Alliance today.
