As a restaurant owner, you know that choosing the right point-of-sale (POS) system can significantly impact the efficiency of your operations, your customer’s experiences, and the success of your business.
While relying on software for restaurant management features, the primary hardware components of a POS system include a cash drawer, card machine, receipt printer, and a terminal.
A POS terminal can be any device that connects to the Internet, such as an iPad, a desktop, a laptop, or a smartphone. However, due to significant benefits, the iPad POS is quickly becoming the new standard POS terminal.
Many restaurant owners have embraced an iPad POS system as a flexible and efficient tool. This article will explore six benefits of using an iPad POS system for your restaurant.
Mobile and Lightweight Devices
Unlike fixed POS terminals, a restaurant iPad POS system is a lightweight device that can be carried anywhere in your venue, making it completely mobile.
For full-service restaurants, the most significant benefit of mobile and lightweight devices is that servers can take orders and payments from the table. Whilst in quick service restaurants, staff can take orders and payments from diners as they wait in line, decreasing wait times and relieving pressure on counter staff.
In addition, iPad POS systems can be used to do opening checks, stock takes, and other restaurant management tasks that require movement around the venue.
Less Staff Training Required
Many of your staff members are likely familiar with Apple’s intuitive touchscreen interface. So, training them to use an iPad POS system should be easy.
Spending less time and money on training new staff members is essential in the restaurant industry as many staff only stay for a short time. An average of 3 out of 4 employees will leave their positions within a year.
In addition, your staff will be more productive if they are comfortable using the iPad POS system, enhancing the customer experience.
Quicker Service For Customers
If staff take orders on pen and paper and input them into a fixed POS terminal when they have the chance, this creates a significant amount of time between when a customer places their order and when it’s sent to the kitchen.
Luckily, an iPad POS system’s cloud capabilities and mobility enables staff to take orders from the table and send them to the kitchen immediately. This allows the kitchen to begin preparing orders much faster and improves the customer experience.
Improved Accuracy
Mistakes are more likely to happen if staff take orders with a pen and paper and then submit them into a fixed POS terminal. This manual entry increases the likelihood of costly errors like a customer returning their order to the kitchen or refusing to pay.
With an iPad POS system, staff can take orders from the customer’s table, which go directly to the kitchen. Staff can even use the iPad’s visual display to confirm details with guests, significantly minimizing the risk of order errors and improving the customer experience.
In addition, the large touchscreen of an iPad provides a clearer view of menu items and numbers, so staff are less likely to make input errors than if they were using a small handheld device like a smartphone.
Increased Security
Most traditional POS do not encrypt data, which makes the systems vulnerable to malware breaches. However, iPad POS systems are protected by software and various data encryption methods.
Apple’s iOS prevents software from reading and stealing certain aspects of your device information. Apple also employs security measures, such as passcodes and time delays for incorrect entries, which prevents unauthorized access.
Grows With Your Restaurant
Most POS service providers offer single-iPad and multiple-iPad configurations, which means you can choose the number of iPad POS terminals you need and purchase additional iPads as your restaurant grows in size or customer base.
Ready To Invest In An iPad POS System?
It’s clear that a mobile and lightweight iPad POS terminal has a lot of benefits, especially over traditional, fixed POS systems. Leveraging this easy-to-use technology will streamline your operations, increase table turnover, and improve customer service – all of which will increase your revenue.
Also Read: How to Win Loyal Customers in E-Commerce
