Considering buying used Aloha Tableservice

[ccTexas]

We run a large restaurant with Aloha QS on 15+ terminals. We want to add a small section of tableservice. Instead of modifying some of the terminals to try to be a bastardized tableservice, we are thinking of buying a used Aloha Tableservice, insteading of buying new, especially since we are in a testing mode. If this does well, we may convert the store to tableservice.

Question:
1) If we get out of test mode and decide to keep the tableservice and run with it, I assume we'll have to transfer the license to us. Can or would the dealer possibly refuse to do so?
2) If we are able to transfer, I assume we would be able to add licenses? (i.e. purchase more for additional terminals?)
3) Would we be able to reuse our Quickservice at another location? Would we be able to split off the licenses? For instance we have over 20 terminals at this location. We don't need that many normally at our regular stores. Do you think we could transfer some to one and some to another location?

 

[PosGuyUS]

Is there any harm is asking the dealer?
I always thought it was odd that QS and TS can't be run at at the same time. Every other POS I've seen can do both in one system. Most I think do it by what user number you sign in or by pushing a button. Some do it by terminal.

 

[AlohaRoss]

ccTexas

I have been in the used aloha space for sometime. I can share my experience with you

NCR can either be a big pain in the butt or very easy to work with when transferring license. You would not be able to split off the license of 20 to be 15/5 or any other combo.
The cost is different on each one. You can use your current terminals, they would just need some small changes to go from QS to TS.

Menus and programming are very different and for he most part much easier in TS.

If you want more info on the Good, bad and ugly of buying used, contact me below and I can provide a lot more information

AlohaRoss

http://www.needalohahelp.com

 

[ccTexas]

Hi PosGuyUS.
Well, we placed a call for help with our dealer 4 weeks ago and still haven't received a call back. Like I've read online here, unless you are a chain or have a service contract, they could care less about you now that they are NCR. We could use QS but doesn't have the table layout and other features that TS has.

Hi AlohaRoss - we're pretty good on using Aloha having used it for over 15 years with very little help from our dealer. We set up our own screens, panels, repair our own hardware etc. I haven't bought a new NCR/Aloha terminal since the original install in 1998. We've been running it on used dells/used touchscreens, etc. for our 50+ companywide terminals since we got tired of the Axiohm printer exchange and waiting forever for repairs (we're 24/7)

However, if you know of a used TS Aloha system that is for sale cheap, we may be interested. Unsure what our local dealer will have to say about that though.....

 

[sheerdyn]

cctexas,

i have a two terminal used system available with table service on aloha 6.7

alohaposhelpdesk at gmail com

 

[PosGuyUS]

Sorry to hear they don't like the little guy but you are a chain with 50 sites, no? Time to change dealers.
My customers that only have 1 or 2 sites get as much attention as the chains. I actually find the smaller sites need us more.

 

[ccTexas]

PosGuyUS - nope, not CC pizza if that's what you're thinking - we only have 6 stores and from what I understand I have to use the dealer in the city that the stores are located, no?

 

[PosGuyUS]

I don't know how Aloha works, I work for a POSitouch dealer. We do have territories but if you really don't want to work with the local dealer, you can contact POSitouch and they will try to get the issue resolved or have another dealer take over the account. Pretty rare that people leave their dealers though.
I would think that NCR would do something like that at least.

 

[posrescue]

Keep in mind if you do get attention form your dealer. If you have a 20 terminal QS key and only using 15 terminals you could have the key relicensed for both QS and TS. Then you could run 15 terminals on QS and 5 on TS from the same fileserver and 1 key running 2 separate installs of Aloha.

 

[PosTech72]

I would assume that any dealer would be glad to sell you a license. It is essentially no work on their part and they make like 10 grand. Well not that much but a lot lol. I would suggest checking on it and see what they say. Pos Rescue has a good point. It probably wouldn't be near as expensive to upgrade your current hasp key to 20 terms instead of 15. You afterall have already spent a decent amount on licensing for 15 whats another 5.