Showing posts with label Micros. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Micros. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Breaking News - MICROS/Oracle Hacked

It was bound to happen give the outdated technology used in many MICROS point of sale systems but it is being reported today that around 330,000 MICROS systems have been hacked or had a security breach. At this point it appears that some sort of malware was used.

The only comments from MICROS/Oracle at this point is that everyone needs to change their passwords. No word on if any credit card information was compromised.

This brings up a few reminders - no matter what point of sale system you are using:

  • Make sure that you are using the most current/recent version of any point of sale software
  • Perform regular PCI scans to ensure that everything in your business is PCI compliant
  • No actual credit or debit card information should be flowing through the system as regular numbers 
  • Make sure that you have business class computer equipment as well as anti-virus and malware software that is always scanning and always updating
Right now I'm glad that I no longer work for a MICROS/Oracle Partner as I'm sure that there are a lot of irate customers right now wondering what they should do.  I already have a lot of MICROS users contact me about other restaurant POS systems to use so this may up the call volume even more.

I can be reached at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632 for no-cost point of sale advice.

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Restaurant Point of Sale Comparison Costs: Tablet vs. PC

A video showing the differences in the costs over 7 years related to the different types of restaurant point of sale systems - including comparing the long term costs of the mobile restaurant point of sale solutions that run on iPads versus more traditional point of sale systems like MICROS, Aloha, Digital Dining, Aldelo, and Sapphire.



These are estimates only as there are a lot of variables. Please visit my contact page for information on how to reach me for unbiased point of sale advice.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Review of Spark Solutions Group/Cowans Restaurant Soluitions

Update June 2016: RITE Solutions has officially expanded to offer retail point of sale systems in the markets formally served by DirectPOS/RVP Business Systems. The includes the states of Idaho, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, California, Oregon and Washington with a special focus on the Boise, ID, Salt Lake City, UT and Spokane, WA markets.

Back in September of 2013, the point of sale company that I used to work for, DirectPOS, sold their customer lists to One Step Retail Solutions and Spark Solutions Group/Cowans Restaurant Solutions. I wanted to pass along some feedback from former DirectPOS customers specific to Spark Solutions Group/Cowans Restaurant Solutions. Unfortunately the feedback has been mostly negative.
  • Local techs have all quit
  • No local support like we used to have
  • No commitment to helping customers
  • No local presence
  • I've already switched to Khamu Solutions as they can offer me local support and training
  • Keep pushing me off to a call center for support even though my business is near their office
  • Expensive
I wish that I had better reviews/comments to pass along - especially since there are hundreds of businesses using the Micro's solution from DirectPOS.

Are you in the US and in need of no cost retail point of sale advice? I'm happy to help and can be reached on my cell at 208-340-5632 (mountain time) or via email at kevinantosh@gmail.com.

Update 24.April.2013:  Since Jason C. posted his comment and offered to to speak with unhappy customers I have not heard any additional complaints related to Cowans/Sparks.  The same can not be said about One Step Retail Solutions.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Important Information for Present and Future DirectPOS Customers - Updated 14.June.2015

Update June 2016: RITE out of St Cloud, MN has started their westward expansion to offer a variety of retail point of sale systems in the states if ID, NV, OR, WA, MT, WY and UT with a special focus on the Boise, ID, Spokane, WA and Salt Lake City, UT markets.


Very important information to pass along related to DirectPOS in Boise, ID and Spokane, WA. I will hit the highlights and you can always contact me via email at kevinantosh (at) gmail (dot) com or 208-340-5632.
  • As of Today, Monday September 16th, 2013, DirectPOS has merged with Cowans Restaurant Solutions out of Salt Lake City, Utah. The new combined company will be called Spark Systems and will have a physical office presence in Salt Lake City, UT, Boise, ID and Spokane,. WA.
    12/2/2013 Update: Correct new business name is Spark Solutions Group - they currently only have an office in Salt Lake City, UT and will only be supporting Micro's brand equipment.

  • Because of this change, Spark Systems will only sell, service and support the Micro's and Aldelo point of sale solutions for restaurants and bars in Utah, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington State. 
    12/02/2013 Update: No sales or support for Aldelo.

  • For those of you with cash registers (supplies, repairs, programming, purchasing), you can reach Rick Bier at Ada Cash Register (208-407-2202). Rick has extensive experience with cash registers.
  • If you are in need of paper or ribbons for cash registers or kitchen/bar/receipt printers, you can also contact Rick Bier at 208-407-2202 as he will be your source moving forward for paper and ribbon supplies (and barcode labels as well I believe).
  • If you are a NCR CounterPoint user, your information has been acquired by One Step Retail Solutions in Phoenix, AZ who will be providing support for your system. Note that One Step Retail Solutions will not have a local office presence in Idaho, Utah, Oregon, Montana, or Washington State but does plan to keep a technician on staff in the Boise, ID area.
  • If you are using one of the Microsoft Point of Sale solutions (RMS Store Operations, HQ, POS 2007, or POS 2009), your information has also been acquired by One Step Retail Solutions in Phoenix, AZ but they have not communicated to me what level of service and support they will be able to provide.
    12/02/2013 Update: Feedback indicates that One Step is not interested in supporting customers using the various Microsoft point of sale solutions (RMS, HQ and POS 2007/2009).

I'm am hopeful that a computer tech company or even a point of sale company in Idaho, Utah, Washington, Oregon, or Montana will see this as an opportunity to grow/establish a physical office presence in Boise, ID and/or Spokane, WA as retail stores, museums and government agencies in these states have become accustomed to working with a local company for all of their point of sale hardware, software, training, installation, and on-going support needs (as of the end of August, I had over 300 customers/clients using various point of sale systems designed for retail stores, museums, and government agencies).


2/7/2014 Update: the former DirectPOS Micros technicians based in Boise are no longer employed with Cowans or Sparks.  I am available to field retail, restaurant/bar and museum point of sale questions and can put you in touch with the correct resource as needed.

Are you in the US and in need of no cost retail point of sale advice? I'm happy to help and can be reached on my cell at 208-340-5632 (mountain time) or via email at kevinantosh@gmail.com.



Tuesday, July 9, 2013

3% Loss of Gross Revenue from Employee Theft

A slight switch from my normal retail theme: a great article from NCR related to employee theft in restaurants. Studies have shown that employee theft can account for a 3% revenue loss.  Having spent 7 years in restaurant management, I can vouch for this.

 According to the National Restaurant Association, employee theft accounts for a loss of approximately 3% of annual sales.  This short list below gives you some of the ways employees may be stealing from you:

  1. Transferring self service items
  2. Giving away self service items
  3. Short ring
  4. Using lower priced liquor
  5. Placing tip jars next to the register
  6. Comping checks after they have been closed
  7. Comping checks after printing
  8. Claiming phony walkouts

Hopefully this gives you some "food for thought"!  You can find the entire article here: http://blogs.ncr.com/hospitality/thoughtleadership/8-ways-your-employees-may-be-stealing-from-you/

Are you in the US and in need of no cost retail point of sale advice? I'm happy to help and can be reached on my cell at 208-340-5632 (mountain time) or via email at kevinantosh@gmail.com.

According to the National Restaurant Association, employee theft accounts for a loss of approximately 3% of annual sales. You may be wondering how to spot employee theft. This short list below gives some of the ways employees may be stealing from you:
  • Transferring self service items (those that don’t generate a kitchen chit, such as coffee or soda) off a check that has been paid for with cash and reusing the same item on another check.
  • Giving away self service items, such as a drink or dessert, to a guest with the expectation of receiving a larger than normal tip.
  • Short ring – ring up a lower priced item and pocket the cash difference
  • Using lower priced liquor and charging for call brands
  • Placing tip jars next to the cash register – easy to put cash into the jar and ring “no sale” on the register
  • Comping checks after they have been closed. Manager finds a check closed to cash by an employee who has already checked out. The manager reopens the check, applies a comp, closes the check and pockets the cash.
  • Comping checks after printing. Employee will print a check for the full amount and present it to the customer. After the customer pays with cash, the employee comps an item off the check and pockets the difference.
  • Claiming phony walkouts – Employee presents the check and quickly collects the cash. Employee tells manager that it was a walkout, pockets the cash and asks the manager to void the check.
Employee theft is serious business. In addition to the above suggestions, it may also be wise to look to at a employee theft deterrence software such as Restaurant Guard to figure out the best way for your business to address the issue.
- See more at: http://blogs.ncr.com/hospitality/thoughtleadership/8-ways-your-employees-may-be-stealing-from-you/#sthash.dHFEtJsh.dpuf
According to the National Restaurant Association, employee theft accounts for a loss of approximately 3% of annual sales. You may be wondering how to spot employee theft. This short list below gives some of the ways employees may be stealing from you: - See more at: http://blogs.ncr.com/hospitality/thoughtleadership/8-ways-your-employees-may-be-stealing-from-you/#sthash.dHFEtJsh.dpuf
According to the National Restaurant Association, employee theft accounts for a loss of approximately 3% of annual sales. You may be wondering how to spot employee theft. This short list below gives some of the ways employees may be stealing from you:
  • Transferring self service items (those that don’t generate a kitchen chit, such as coffee or soda) off a check that has been paid for with cash and reusing the same item on another check.
  • Giving away self service items, such as a drink or dessert, to a guest with the expectation of receiving a larger than normal tip.
  • Short ring – ring up a lower priced item and pocket the cash difference
  • Using lower priced liquor and charging for call brands
  • Placing tip jars next to the cash register – easy to put cash into the jar and ring “no sale” on the register
  • Comping checks after they have been closed. Manager finds a check closed to cash by an employee who has already checked out. The manager reopens the check, applies a comp, closes the check and pockets the cash.
  • Comping checks after printing. Employee will print a check for the full amount and present it to the customer. After the customer pays with cash, the employee comps an item off the check and pockets the difference.
  • Claiming phony walkouts – Employee presents the check and quickly collects the cash. Employee tells manager that it was a walkout, pockets the cash and asks the manager to void the check.
Employee theft is serious business. In addition to the above suggestions, it may also be wise to look to at a employee theft deterrence software such as Restaurant Guard to figure out the best way for your business to address the issue.
- See more at: http://blogs.ncr.com/hospitality/thoughtleadership/8-ways-your-employees-may-be-stealing-from-you/#sthash.dHFEtJsh.dpuf
According to the National Restaurant Association, employee theft accounts for a loss of approximately 3% of annual sales. You may be wondering how to spot employee theft. This short list below gives some of the ways employees may be stealing from you:
  • Transferring self service items (those that don’t generate a kitchen chit, such as coffee or soda) off a check that has been paid for with cash and reusing the same item on another check.
  • Giving away self service items, such as a drink or dessert, to a guest with the expectation of receiving a larger than normal tip.
  • Short ring – ring up a lower priced item and pocket the cash difference
  • Using lower priced liquor and charging for call brands
  • Placing tip jars next to the cash register – easy to put cash into the jar and ring “no sale” on the register
  • Comping checks after they have been closed. Manager finds a check closed to cash by an employee who has already checked out. The manager reopens the check, applies a comp, closes the check and pockets the cash.
  • Comping checks after printing. Employee will print a check for the full amount and present it to the customer. After the customer pays with cash, the employee comps an item off the check and pockets the difference.
  • Claiming phony walkouts – Employee presents the check and quickly collects the cash. Employee tells manager that it was a walkout, pockets the cash and asks the manager to void the check.
Employee theft is serious business. In addition to the above suggestions, it may also be wise to look to at a employee theft deterrence software such as Restaurant Guard to figure out the best way for your business to address the issue.
- See more at: http://blogs.ncr.com/hospitality/thoughtleadership/8-ways-your-employees-may-be-stealing-from-you/#sthash.dHFEtJsh.dpuf
According to the National Restaurant Association, employee theft accounts for a loss of approximately 3% of annual sales. You may be wondering how to spot employee theft. This short list below gives some of the ways employees may be stealing from you:
  • Transferring self service items (those that don’t generate a kitchen chit, such as coffee or soda) off a check that has been paid for with cash and reusing the same item on another check.
  • Giving away self service items, such as a drink or dessert, to a guest with the expectation of receiving a larger than normal tip.
  • Short ring – ring up a lower priced item and pocket the cash difference
  • Using lower priced liquor and charging for call brands
  • Placing tip jars next to the cash register – easy to put cash into the jar and ring “no sale” on the register
  • Comping checks after they have been closed. Manager finds a check closed to cash by an employee who has already checked out. The manager reopens the check, applies a comp, closes the check and pockets the cash.
  • Comping checks after printing. Employee will print a check for the full amount and present it to the customer. After the customer pays with cash, the employee comps an item off the check and pockets the difference.
  • Claiming phony walkouts – Employee presents the check and quickly collects the cash. Employee tells manager that it was a walkout, pockets the cash and asks the manager to void the check.
Employee theft is serious business. In addition to the above suggestions, it may also be wise to look to at a employee theft deterrence software such as Restaurant Guard to figure out the best way for your business to address the issue.
- See more at: http://blogs.ncr.com/hospitality/thoughtleadership/8-ways-your-employees-may-be-stealing-from-you/#sthash.dHFEtJsh.dpuf

Monday, November 12, 2012

Point of Sale Software Updates



Clover, our Android-based retail, museum and restaurant point of sale solution, now includes the ability to record customer information. This customer information  includes email addresses. We are also offering some flex-pricing on Clover for retail stores and restaurants who want to purchase the hardware versus paying an ongoing monthly fee.

NCR CounterPoint, our Windows and iOS based retail and museum point of sale solution, now offers a much more advanced online shopping cart (information can be found here: http://www.counterpointpos.com/ecommerce/pos-integrated-ecommerce.htm) and there are free trial offers for Customer Connect (automated/proactive email marketing) and Smart Alerts (email and texts alerts based on user-defined operation criteria).

Silver, our iOS based retail, museum and restaurant point of sale solution, has no major changes to announce.

QuickBooks Point of Sale, a Windows based retail point of sale software, has no major changes to announce.

Aldelo, our Windows-based restaurant/bar point of sale solution, has no major changes to announce.

Micros, our proprietary restaurant/bar/hotel point of sale solution, has no major changes to announce.

Microsoft RMS/HQ/POS 2009, our Windows based retail and museum point of sale solution, all have new enhancements and new features but I am waiting on definitive release dates.