What do I need?

[Mich]

Forgive my ignorance, I am VERY new to POS. I've done tons of research online, but all of the POS software I've seen is geared to a higher market than what I'm looking at. This POS will be for a small cafe.

Here is the functionality I desire,

- Customer comes in and places an order with an 'order taker' and gives name

- Order taker keys the order into the system. Don't know if this would be on a touch screen, PDA, some sort of wired remote device, something cheap and tough is desired.

- The order is printed in the kitchen area. When the order is filled the customer's name is called. Would like a way for the kitchen to notify the system that the order has been filled. Maybe the same type of device used by the order taker. Customer's name is removed from unfilled queue.

- The order is sent to the cash register (happens at the same time as previous step). When the customer comes to the register, they give their name, and the employee will click/touch that person's name to bring up the order. Payment is made and everyone is happy. Customer's name is removed from the unpaid queue.

- Would like basic X/Z type reporting. Inventory management is a plus, but not necessary.

This seems like a VERY low end solution compared to what I've seen online. Does anyone have any suggestions where I can find something like this? If you need more info please let me know.

Thanks in advance.


-If it ain't broke, break it and make it better.

 

[pmegan]

Take a look at the Micros E7. I haven't seen it in action, but everything I've heard about it sounds like it may be what you're looking for.

 

[DTSMAN]

Cheap and tough are not going to to come hand in hand. If you are looking for a PC based system I reccomend Aloha, if not then there are ECRs (electronic cash registers) that can do this also such as Panasonics, CRS3000, etc. Have you checked with your local cash register\POS company? Local support is very desirable in this sector of business. If you have, then why don't you want to use them? I would suggest checking locally and posting questions back here on the differences in the softwares and hardware platforms offered in your area.

Bo

Kentucky phone support-
"Mash the Kentrol key and hit scape."

 

[markphsd]

If you are looking for a low cost system, that has all the features a Cafe needs. I'd suggest you look at Cafe Cartel, at cafecartel.com

What you buy with Aloha is the power to do anything, include running a bar, a restaurant, a complicated inventory system. Of course, you pay for it too.

Cafe Cartel is not by any means a lower end software, but it does meet your cost requirements. It easily meets your feature requests.

Mark P.

http://www.cafecartel.com

Providing Low Cost Powerful Point of Sale Solutions.

 

[AkamaiAloha]

No disrespect intended Bo, but one of the complaints I frequently hear about Aloha from my clients, is that it tries to do TOO much. Not that that flexibility is a bad thing, but some of the customers are overwhelmed with things they don't need. Not to mention cost--Aloha and Micros are cost competitive, but they certainly represent the higher end of the spectrum.

However, having said that, a POS system is not something you should purchase on price, in my opinion. I certainly understand that the money has to come from somewhere--and if you don't have it, you don't have it. However, in most cases when the POS system is purchased, restaurant owners DO have the money, and make a concious choice to under buy. You don't want a POS that can't handle your needs. And you don't want a POS system that is out of business in two years. Like Bo said, you want local support, so I would begin by looking at the local resellers in your area. Then narrow it down from their. For a three or four terminal system, you should plan on spending about $15-18k (all inclusive).

The bottom line is they've come down SO much in the last five years, there is really no reason why every restaurant shouldn't have a decent one--after all, your business is depending on it. And in the long run, it will pay for itself.

 

[suchasynic]

honestly -- I think, for what you need, you would probably be happy with manual order tickets and a plain 'ol cash register to do the math for staff....

Definately deciding on a pos system is not something you want to do quickly -- take your time and research each product & vendor well.