Buying used Aloha systems

[taghu]

I am looking into purchasing a new POS system for a restaurant/bar. I have worked with an aloha system before and am experienced in computer networking. My question is on the licensing portion? If I do purchase a used system can I change the name and address of the restaurant? What other things should I be considering? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[DTSMAN]

Only pay for the hardware. No one owns their Aloha software. Re-licensing cost close too, if not as much as buying your own software.
To answer your question, you can use the system, you can change the name and adress in the system, but the serial number is registered under the old owner and when their contract expires and not renewed, it is gone, you will not be able to get upgrades, unless you have an relationship with the local dealer and they would want to cover for you.

Bo

Remember,
If the women don't find you handsome,
they should at least find you handy.
(Red Green)

http://www.redgreen.com

 

[alohaakamai3]

I'm only addressing the software issue here. I am a dealer so I am personally bound to respect the licensing agreements but I realize people are going to do what they're going to do in secondary markets. To some degree it's Radiant's own fault that people do seek out these third party licenses. The vast majority of dealers are very reluctant to sell software w/o hardware, and also reluctant to sell anything but their own Radiant hardware, which customers may not want. In the cases where dealers would sell software only, they effectively doubled the price to gouge the client.

In short, you can set it up and use it, but not legally. The practical reality is that not much will be said or done to stop you in the cases I've seen, but if you ever need the dealer for anything-an upgrade, support, a patch, etc- the dealer can refuse to service you until you pay a transfer fee, and possibly an upgrade fee if it's a version they don't support anymore. Some dealers are more cooperative than others.

I think I even heard of one case where Restaurant A out of Florida closed it's doors and sold the software to Restaurant B in South Carolina on Ebay. When Restaurant B needed support and/or went to make the software key "legit" via the local dealer, it was discovered that Restaurant A (now closed) owed the Florida dealer a balance and was told they'd have to pay that too if they wanted any type of service.(the names and locations have been changed to protect the innocent) An extreme case no doubt, but still a scenario you should be aware of.

The other issues are: How do you know what that the security key is licensed for what the person your buying it from says it is? (And I am not just talking about someone lying, some people legitimately just don't understand what it is they originally purchased) Also, make sure it's at least a PCI compliant version-I've had client buy them on secondary markets, only to find out they were version 4.x and pretty much useless for their needs.

It's up to you to weigh the risks and decide if it's worth it. My only advice is because of the risk, if you do it, make sure it's a smoking hot deal-like 60-80% off what they key would go for if you purchased it new. If it's just a "good" deal or "ok", I personally don't think it's worth the hassle. In that case, find a dealer who will sell you just the software at a reasonable price, and you won't be left worrying about it.

Hope that helped.

 

[alohaakamai3]

Just one other thought- and don't take this the wrong way, you could be an IT guru for all I know-but being familiar with networking and having used Aloha is a far cry from qualifying someone to install and support Aloha or any POS system.

I've lost track of how many clients who've tried to hire a 3rd party "computer guy" (who in his/her defense, may have been very knowledgeable) to save money, only to quick find out that these software setups are very proprietary and require a lot of specialized settings and tweaks to setup, and an even greater amount of "random" knowledge when they go down/flake out during regular use.

Forums like this are helpful, but are limited- especially when the system goes down on a Friday night and you have a bar full of people who can't be cashed out because the system is down and you can't get to their guest checks (and let's face it, this is a matter if "when" more than it is an "if", with any POS system-it will go down). And you're left with no one to call.

I would would seriously take stock of your computer abilities as they pertain strictly to Aloha and not in general, and assess how tolerant you are of dealing with the headaches these systems present before you do it yourself. I've lost track of how many times I thought I was going to do my own car repair, only to find myself trying to return the parts I bought so I could take it to a practicing mechanic.

 

[DTSMAN]

I am a big Aloha fan. Worked with it since 2000 installing and supporting. Recently retired and went into servicing medical equipement for quite a few more dollars per hour.
I have seen many other systems, and I felt it superior to all its competitors. Then came Radiant, and they bought Aloha. Then they forced their hardware with quotas on dealers. Tacky, tacky, tacky.
Life goes on, and in my opinion, based on the obvious, Radiant's goal is to compete on a global scale with Micros. Good for them, go make some money guys.
That being said, the little man is out. They are gearing themselves toward Chili's and Chuck e Cheese franchises, and it works great for those customers. IMHO, again, single store owners will probably be looking more toward dealers' second tier products.

Finally, ranting aside,
The software and hardware are proprietary. Buy something else.

Bo

Remember,
If the women don't find you handsome,
they should at least find you handy.
(Red Green)

http://www.redgreen.com

 

[alohaakamai3]

I completely agree with Bo, and that's exactly how we sell against the likes of Aloha and Micros- by telling letting the prospective client know both are solid products (I am also somewhat of an Aloha fan) but at the end of they day, wouldn't you rather work with someone who wants your business?

The truth is if your a single store, or even a few stores, the product will work for you, but the dealer network may not. No disrespect intended to those working for Aloha dealers, I was also once one of them. But have definitely noticed a "take it or leave it" approach to their saless when it comes to smaller outfits. And multiply that attitude times 10 if you request different hardware in most cases (the dealers have sales quotas that include Radiant hardware), or wish to purchase ONLY their software (i.e. cut them out of picture for installation and support).

It's business-I guess if I had the option to tell prospectie clients, "this is how it woks, take it or leave it" and could afford to pass on certain sales, I'd probably do it to. I am not judging anyone for it, just stating what has been my observation over the years.

The only negative thing I will say is that the track record of the Radiant hardware has not been pretty. I've seen it debated on this forum, and claims that its gotten better, but I've noticed even on a lot of the newer stuff, it' s not uncommon for the terminals to start crapping out in 2-3 years. I don't just mean one computer, I've seen a customers running a mixed hardware environment with 5 or 6 Radiant stations, lose just about all of them within that time frame- meanwhile they have 3 or 4 IBM SurePOS that are almost 10 years old right next to them, still kicking.

Anyway, I am also ranting now. Just wanted to concur that there are many second tier products out there that do a great job and are better suited for individual outlets or regional chains.

 

[pogmahoney]

Taghu,

did you decide to go the used route or buy new? if so, how did it go?

I am in the same position myself and see the opportunity to save a ton of money on used equipment but have started enough projects like this to know that there is always more to it than i think.

 

[posmaker]

if you are still looking for used system. Check out usedpos.net.

 

[onarun]

error message on my aloha need help

CTLSVR could not be started check to see that it is registered