Can Aloha/NCR be installed on Micros 3700 systems?

[MZ117]

Hey guys,

I've looked at these forums for a long time, but this is my first post. We have a location using a Micros 3700 system (Server + 5 WS5a Terminals + 5 KDS + Receipt Printers + Drawers) and it has for some time. We are much more familiar with Aloha and some other sites use Aloha, as well. My question is (and I looked around online and couldn't find a confident answer):

- Can Aloha software be installed on the current Micros 3700 hardware (I am aware Micros uses WinCE)?

- If no, and we want to look at switching to Aloha/NCR, can we use our existing Receipt Printers (Epson Thermal), Cash Drawers, and KDS Units (assuming there would be no reason I couldn't just have Aloha format the PC and use it as the server)? (In other words, if I can't use existing hardware, would the only thing we be out is the terminals or would I need to buy a whole new system)?

There's nothing wrong with Micros and it works fine, but all the other sites use Aloha. (I don't mind going through a dealer, either but I want to have an idea [IF] before I jump into that discussion.)

Thanks in advance for your input and help!

 

[MZ117]

Anyone? Can a customer use Micros 3700 hardware (touch screens and KDS specifically) to install Aloha?

 

[TobeThor]

My feeling is you can salvage only the printers because the multiple types of interfaces (serial, parallel, IP etc) are easily available. Not many POS Dealers are comfortable loading their software when it's being installed on proprietary hardware. Micros and Aloha Dealers buy and supply their own proprietary hardware so they don't have a lot of incentive to help in situations such as you describe. Plus you can't blame them, every time you have an issue with the hardware various unknowns rise up because the company asked to fix/repair the issue is not the company that sells or supplied that particular hardware. Keep the ptr's and replace everything else (FOh POS, cash drawers, BOH computer).

You may also have some network wiring to do; not every POS brand wires their sites identically re: Cat5, kitchen video and redundancy.

 

[pmegan]

I went just the opposite direction a few times. We've had Aloha, Squirrel and PosiTouch systems in a few restaurants we took over and I put Micros systems in all of them. I didn't even think about installing Micros on the existing hardware for the very reason TobeThor mentioned. When we need service the Micros techs have the replacement parts in their truck. You can't expect an Aloha tech to carry around Micros WS5 parts.

If you have any remote printers they're most likely IP based and should be compatible with Aloha. My guess is that the check printers will work too, but you'll have to change the interface card. The rest will have to be replaced. The workstations and KDS run an embedded WinCE version that Micros customized, so converting them would be a science project. Micros cash drawers run off the workstations, Aloha runs off the printers so they'll have to go too. I'd trade in, or at least reformat, the server too. I'd be worried about multiple database engines and all those services running on a production server. There's just too much that can go wrong for me to feel comfortable frankensteining a system like that.

On the plus side, my experience so far is that our Micros vendor is more than happy give us a good trade-in deal on a competitors hardware. The system you have sounds like it's pretty new so you should be able to get a good price. Talk to your Aloha dealer and see what kind of deal they'll work out for you. They'll probably be happy to help you kick Micros to the curb.

Last, make sure you have the license key and codes from the Micros system. The key itself looks like a thumb drive and should be in one of the USB ports. To get the codes open regedit and export HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROS\Common\LicenseManager to a file. The licensing is probably 1/3 the cost of the system so it's probably worth something to somebody, even with the relicensing fees.

 

[SirTekaLot]

I use my own hardware: I have been using touchscreen consumer machine for a year now with out any issue. I use Aloha though. Not a big fan of Micros.

 

[MZ117]

Thanks again, pMegan! I believe it's still under Micros warranty and yes, I have the keys and licensing data. The system works just fine, but all the other locations use Aloha (now NCR) so it's really more of a standardization issue than anything. Any idea what a (decent) price would be? Obviously, I doubt well get new; I'm taking to one guy who is looking at opening a new restaurant and Micros already said they'd work with him, sadly though they said warranties don't transfer...

 

[TobeThor]

"sadly though they said warranties don't transfer"
Don't assume that's in concrete. Bear in mind that the Micros Dealer has already been paid for the maintenance contract. You said that the site has had Micros "for some time" so it's no longer a warranty situation BUT a prepaid maintenance contract. The Dealer can say no just because they can say no. If the Dealer refuses to negotiate that aspect; to me it's a sign their colors are showing. Don't forget, they have already been paid in full for the maintenance.

As far as price, what did the site originally pay for the system. In my experience it's basically a breakdown of thirds. 1/3 software, 1/3 hardware, 1/3 installation.
As someone who is selling a used POS; you basically only have 1/3 of it to sell (hardware). IE: you can't resell the installation or software. Also consider that the used POS buyer has to purchase the other two thirds from the POS Dealer. So how much is your used POS (w/o a warranty) worth? Not very much.
Let's say the original POS was $36,000. Original hardware was approx 12,000...value today 20%-30% of that. IMHO; If you're going to do it, do it sooner vs. later as everyday that POS goes down in value. IPads and Android mobile devices are obsoleting proprietary POS terminals.