Buy an Aloha POS off Ebay, now need help 1

[fcam00]

Hi all!
I just purchased a complete Aloha POS with licensed for 3 terminals off Ebay. It currently running Aloha QuickService Version 6.4.31.
The seller (probably is an auctioneer, not an original system owner) doesn't have any Aloha log in info. I now can to login Windows ok, but not Aloha Manager, I've tried to login Aloha manager with generic dealer passwords (manager/manager and Aloha/hello) without any luck.
I hooked up three terminals and the BOH, they all seem running fine now. I can see all three terminals from the BOH machine.
Here are my questions:
1) Is there any way for me to recover the login name and password without contact dealer?
2)I probably end up using TableService rather than QuickService, will this hasp key will work with TableService? If so, I will plan to get another HDD, do clean installation of a fresh Window XP, and reinstall Aloha TableService (I've did a fresh installed one time with my other system that run Aloha version 5.3.25 before, don't know how much different with this new 6.4.31 version).
3)If I end up contact the dealer to do the swap from quickservice to tableservice (as my time is kinda tight for the next two months), dealer probably will make me do the ownership transfer and probably update to the latest, how much money in ballpark will I looking at for these tasks?
4)The seller has been contact the Aloha technician in NY (the one who build this POS system) to obtain the login info for me but after many phone calls, the technician haven't get back. If I decided to use a dealer, should I go with the original technician (in NY), or looking for a local technician (in Philadelphia area)?
Thank you for any feedbacks.
Tim

 

[AlohaRoss]

A key that is licensed for Quick service cannot run table service
The cost to change varies by dealer. As aloha is territory based you must buy from your local dealer
At the high end the cost for Aloha software can be as much as $1200 per station, $850 for credit cards
ownership transfer would be a waste of time as you will need a new key to run table service.
My suggestion would be to try to resell on ebay and buy a table service system. You can find more on Craigslist than ebay

 

[fcam00]

uh oh, that's a bummer.
Last time when I screwing around for my older system, I though I crossed by some threads saying that when do the fresh installation one can either install TableService or QuickService, my assumption were those two interchangeable. Didn't double check when I purchased this system.

I got the whole system that less than a year old ( Dell PowerEdge, three Radiants terminals, Epson receipt printers, kitchen printers and lot of extra stuff) for $3100 shipped, and I think hardware alone would worth close to the amount I paid.

I currently running version 5.3.31 in my restaurant, so I think I will keep those Radiant terminals in my restaurant fail me couple times on memory and power supply defective.

I will find someone to sell the server with QuickService licensed for 3 terminals, OR hope that someone have a TableService want to trade with me.

Thank you for the feedback AlohaRoss,

 

[PosGuyUS]

Aloha Ross,
does that mean you can't have 1 or 2 terminals act as a quick service POS and the others work as table service?

 

[AlohaRoss]

POSGUYUS, Aloha can only run what it is licensed for. When you get Aloha it comes with a key config sheet. The SEC codes will unlock only what is paid for
here is an example of a sheet and all that was offered for this key. I have highlighted the area about table or quick service.
I am sure if you had a reason why you needed both interfaces, running table service would cover both needs. Use the bartender screens for the quick service and tables for the restaurant side.
License Numbers:
SEC1=##################
SEC2=##################
SEC3=##################
SEC4=#################
SEC5=##################
SEC6=#####################
POS Options:
POS Version: 6.5
Terminals: 6
Software Packages:
Super Key: NO
Accessories + MX: NO
Back Office Interfaces: NO
Caf Service: NO
Credit Card + MX: YES
Gift Card + MX: NO
GuestManager Site: YES
Hotel + MX: NO
Membership + MX: NO
MS SQL Server Interface: NO
Quick Count + MX: NO
[highlight #F57900]Quick Service: NO[/highlight]
Super Site + MX: NO
[highlight #FCE94F]Table Service: YES[/highlight]
Video + MX: NO
Software Options:[highlight #FCE94F][/highlight]
Accounts Receivable: NO
Advanced Reservations: NO
Allow Non-Radiant Hardware: YES
Aloha Connect: NO
Aloha Kitchen: NO
Aloha Online: NO
Back Rent: NO
Canadian Debit: NO
Cash Card: NO
CEC: NO
Command Center: YES
Custom EDC: NO
Customer Satisfaction: NO
Delivery: NO
Drink Dispenser: NO
Extended Payments: NO
Fast Tab: NO
Frequent Buyer: NO
Gift Certificates: NO
GuestManager: YES
Meal Accountability: NO
Menulink Integration: NO
Multiple ICVerify: NO
Remote Terminals: NO
Scales: NO
Single ICVerify: NO
Take Out: NO
Take Out Delivery: NO
Take Out Delivery Mapping: NO
VizorVest: NO

 

[PosGuyUS]

that's insane. Even the version is licensed.

 

[coorsman]

And every major upgrade from 6.4 to 6.5 is a license change.

The problem with purchasing a used Aloha system is the key belongs to the dealer. You could find yourself paying for the previous restaurants unpaid service bills and the cost to purchase a new license just to be able to transfer the key to you.

6.4 is not CISP compliant so your credit card processor could also make you upgrade the software before using the software.


Cheers,
Coorsman

 

[PosGuyUS]

Sounds like it be better to just buy new with all those potential costs. Buying any used system would potentially mean the version doesn't meet the PCI specs and would have to be upgraded to do CCs on them. Having to completely buy a new license makes it not worth it for some.
The systems we sell have a small re-license fee and a cost to change the credit cards to the new owners. Beyond that, they can buy time from us to help them setup a system and get some proper training.
Looks like Aloha licenses just about every button that you can use.

 

[fcam00]

After give the whole situation some thoughts, here are some options I came up with, and will need some of your feed-backs.

I currently running Aloha TableService ver. 5.3.21 with licensed for 2 terminals, and I would like to have 3 terminals instead for my dining area.
We probably going grab a space right next to us to expand our location, and use the new location dedicate for takeout and catering only, so I will need a separate system (will be under different business entity), so the quickservice system I mistakenly purchased above might just work out for me OK. But I will need to obtain the password to get into the system.

As far as TableService, I only need 1 extra terminal, and I assumed if I contact the dealer he would make me do the licensed transfer (since I bought this system from a seller in California 5 years ago) and upgrade from version 5.3.21 all the way to current, am I wrong? The PCI compliant isn't something I concern about as I am happy with my current credit card terminal. I don't like the idea of expose my server to Internet, also to put all egg in one basket, and if the system goes down whole restaurant will be shut down.

I have someone want to sell a hasp key for TableService v.6.xx, licensed for 3 terminals, what's the fair market value should I make an offer to the seller? Is there a way to find out exactly what version the hasp key licensed for?
Lastly, if I decided to go for a brand new system, can I just buy a server with software loaded, licensed for 3 terminal, but no terminals (as I have total of 8 terminals on hand right now, and most of them are in excellent condition), or the dealer most likely packaged them together to make money on hardware? How much would I looking at for a new system with licensed for 3 terminals, ballpark?
thank you guys.

 

[eburks]

As far as I know there is no way to tell what the key is licensed for without using the keysheet and HASP and actually installing the system.

If you have an unknown unbootable system and can access files on a terminal or the server (aloha\bin folder on both) you can pull almost any .exe file out of that folder and right-click, properties, version tab. Info is in there for instance the version info for the alohamgr.exe file I have here now is 6.7.24 Non-running systems can be accessed using widely available linux or windows pe boot cd's to try to retrieve this info. You might need to pull the file and put in a folder on a running windows xp or higher machine to actually read the info properly. Alohamgr.exe and EDC.exe would be the most reliable place to view this info but DBConfig.exe dbupxx.exe etc etc have the info too

I bought a radiant 1510 terminal in pretty crappy condition (I have not even used it yet) with a 2 license Tableservice 6.7 key for $1299 last June. I was only buying it for the key anyway and since it included EDC I thought I got a decent deal.

There is a 3 terminal "key only" on ebay now for the same price but it has no info on version, it is USB. Anyone purchasing needs to know what modules are licensed and whether QS or TS and at that price it MUST include EDC and be at least version 6.7 (you might get away with 6.5 for a few years especially using verifone CC terms) Even though you don't care about EDC the system would NOT be worth that price without EDC

If the seller knows what a keysheet is you can try... If not run away fast. I consider 1300. to be a decent price for aloha Tableservice with EDC for 3 terminals but you could do better and I would want it to be 6.7 minimum.

If you find someone selling 5.3 it might be worth half that (with EDC) but you would be non compliant
No one here would be non-compliant... would they

 

[sheerdyn]

fcam,

I have a 4 terminal tableservice version 6.5 system for sale. Comes with the aloha server, usb key, keysheet that shows the license, and 4 terminals.

 

[AlohaRoss]

Fcam I am interested if you want to sell
find me at rossabout at yahoo