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To offer an exceptional customer experience at your restaurant you must streamline your operations that require minimal effort and supervision. And a robust restaurant management system or POS is a definite solution.

But then not every restaurant gets its hands on the latest, feature-loaded, and future-proof systems. Either they’re running their restaurant business in denial with traditional methodologies or using systems that lack some key features.

If you’re one of those restaurants operating with an outdated POS system, I have some solid reasons for you to make the switch from your current restaurant POS.

After reading this article, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about whether or not to switch to a new POS system. Further, you will be in a better position to improve your business’ efficiency and profitability.

The Changing Landscape of Restaurant Technology

Back in the past, a restaurant management system was an alien concept. However, as our digital world continued to evolve rapidly, there was something new on the horizon for restaurants to adopt.

IBM introduced the electronic cash register (ECR) and POS in the 1970s which revolutionized restaurant management.

Restaurants could efficiently take orders and send them to the kitchen, keep a tap on the cash generated, and provide customers with an error-free bill.

Later, with the internet emerging, the POS systems went through a significant transformation. They could offer various other features such as graphical reports, transaction history, etc.

Fast forward to date, restaurants worldwide are now adopting more modern, cloud-based POS systems to streamline operations and improve customer experiences.

Today, a cloud-based restaurant management system is much more than just managing a few aspects. The systems come with several built-in features that can help restaurant businesses manage operations end-to-end from one dashboard. Further, these systems are future-proof and have the ability to continually evolve, adapt to market conditions, and constantly update features and capabilities.

Here Are 10 Reasons to Switch to a Cloud-Based Restaurant POS System

Old systems may still be good, but they can’t be as good as the new ones. The restaurant landscape is changing rapidly and if you’re not keeping up with it, then lagging behind is certain. 

Check out the following list of reasons to change your current restaurant POS and move to a new-age one. 

1. Streamline and Automate Operations

The first and foremost benefit of turning to a cloud-based restaurant management system is that it has the capability to automate almost all your operations. Be it taking orders, transferring them to the kitchen, managing inventory, or cash, a cloud POS does everything.

For example, when you take orders, you don’t have to go to the kitchen and let the chef know about it. With a cloud POS and KOT machine, your kitchen staff gets all the order information automatically, significantly reducing the chances of discrepancy.

Simply put, it automates mundane tasks and allows your restaurant staff to focus more on customer experience and satisfaction.

2. Easy-to-Use Interface

If a system, that is supposed to ease down your operations, is itself hard to use, then it’s a red flag. You don’t want to incorporate a restaurant management system that is not user-friendly because it would compromise a lot on your efficiency.

This is where modern cloud-based POS systems come into the frame.

Most of the modern cloud-based restaurant management software doesn’t require months and months of your time to get used to it. The system offers you an interface that is easy to navigate and use,  for multiple operations.

3. Clear Sales Data and Other Insights

If you’re not getting a clear insight into data with your restaurant POS, it’s a sign to replace your current POS.

As a restaurateur, it is a must that you are keeping a tap on everything happening at your restaurant. The better you understand your numbers, the more it becomes easy for you to make informed decisions and changes.

A cloud-based restaurant POS system lets you clearly manage your sales data with strong and reliable stats on daily revenue, summary et al. Besides, it also lets you stay up-to-date with the daily proceedings at your restaurant. You can access detailed analyses and reports on day-to-day sales, expenses, and such likes, aiding you in making business development strategies.

4. Makes Your Restaurant Future-Proof

When I say future-proof, I am not talking about a time machine. (Okay, that’s a poor joke!)

But what exactly I mean is that you must keep an eye on trends and avail of features to keep up with those trends. For example, a couple of years ago, cashless payment was starting to trend and restaurateurs were looking for solutions that offer that.

 That’s exactly what cloud-based restaurant POS systems offer.

Most of the systems keep themselves update with all the latest trends in the industry and integrate new features into the system. Meaning, you don’t have to look for new software when you feel you’re missing out on something; your service provider does all the work for you.

Simply put, you have a system that not only manages your restaurant business for the current standards but is also future-proof.

5. Easy to Deploy and Cost-Effective

If you take a trip down memory lane, you will see that legacy restaurant management systems require a lot of hardware to set up. From setting up server rooms to cooling systems to dealing with tangles of wires, you’ll have a tiresome feat.

Further, it requires a lot of investment to install it and keep it running. Not to mention, it gets expensive to maintain with frequently encountered bugs, hardware defects, or technical faults. Thus, it eats up your money and time. 

That’s not the case with a cloud POS. All you need is a smart device and a stable internet connection and you’re good to go. You also don’t have to worry about maintenance as your service provider got your back.

6. Offers Multiple Integrations 

Integration in restaurant technology is nothing but connecting data, applications, APIs, and devices to the existing technology stack. It not only connects but also adds value to the existing framework. They make the hotel technology more efficient, productive, and agile with the new capabilities. 

For example, you want to gather customer feedback. How would you do it? Give them a feedback form. Call them up? Or, just walk up to them and ask “Sir/ma’am did you like our service”?

Well, all of them might work but then they are too outdated.

But when you integrate a feedback management system into your restaurant POS, this process gets automated. You don’t have to worry about reaching out to each customer in person. Not just that, you don’t even need a separate system to manage your feedback and reviews. You can do that right from your POS.

Be it managing staff, accounting, inventory, or any other department, integrations help you with everything. It empowers you with a system that does more than just take restaurant orders.

7. 24*7 Customer Support

Inactive and delayed support is one of the major factors pointing toward an outdated POS.

Oftentimes, you get stuck at an operation or the system stops working. And with a lot of expectations, you call up your legacy POS system vendor only to find a dead end.

Further, it also takes time to fix complexities in a legacy system. The support team needs to arrive at your restaurant, check the entire system, and then fix it. This is indeed time-consuming.

However, with a cloud-based modern POS solution, you get support 24*7. Not to mention, as these systems are based on cloud tech, the support team can fix it remotely and quickly, allowing you to continue running your business smoothly.

8. 100% Data Security

The way you handle your and your customers’ data speaks volumes about your restaurant. Which is why data security holds utmost importance.

Now, if you’re on a legacy restaurant POS, there’s a huge risk of data loss. Why so? It’s because, in a traditional setup, a server can be physically destroyed — by human error or in case of disasters. Worst still, someone can hack into the computer and get hold of all the data.

But, when your restaurant management system is based on cloud infrastructures, your data is secured. These systems are equipped with advanced levels of security and are monitored continuously, reducing the chances of data loss or theft.

9. Manage Restaurant Chains

While there are several benefits of using a cloud-based restaurant POS, can it also manage restaurant chains?

Well, the answer is an absolute YES.

As mentioned above, these systems are advanced and future-proof and offer features even for chain businesses.

With a cloud-based restaurant management system, you can take complete access to your restaurant chain’s activities and manage multiple restaurant outlets seamlessly. Moreover, they are specifically designed for the chain of restaurants to automate the whole manual process right from beginning to end.

10. Enhance Overall Customer Experience

Last but least, cloud-based systems are designed in such a way it is not just focused on streamlining restaurant operations but also allows them to offer fantastic guest experience.

In simple words, your restaurant employees can handle order inquiries faster and with more accuracy, increase efficiency, and have more time to interact with guests in a natural way. Thus, it enhances the overall guest experience.

What Should You Look for in A Restaurant POS System?

An ideal and complete restaurant management software offers everything from

• Order management,
• Table and menu management,
• Billing and such,
• Inventory and stock management,
• Detailed reports on revenue and sales,
• Manage staff shifts,

And a lot more.

We have got a comprehensive list of all the parameters that are to be considered while selecting a restaurant POS system in the form of a buyer’s guide. You can download it from here.

Try looking for a brand-new management system for your restaurant and you’ll have everything taken care of. We have an on-premise and even a cloud-based restaurant POS system to handle your operations.