Restaurant Point of Sale Advice

A quick note that I am focused mainly on the retail side of things but do have personal experience in table serve restaurant management as well as the sales and support of multiple restaurant, bar, and quick serve point of sale systems.

If you are searching for a hospitality point of sale system, please do contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com with a note that my advice will likely not be as in depth as what I can provide on the retail side.

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.

Thank-You for Your Patience!

Just a quick note to say thanks to everyone for your patience in waiting for me to call or email you back with information and advice related to point of sale systems. In June 2015 I had over 40 businesses and organizations contact me for unbiased point of sale advice and information.

Between this blog site and my YouTube Channel, the sites are averaging over 150 unique visitors a day (not counting people from obscure countries raiding content).

As a reminder, I do my best to respond within 4 business hours to all requests unless I am traveling. Best times to reach me via phone are 9am-3pm Mountain Time. Otherwise, texts, emails, and using the contact form to the right can be done at anytime.  You can always visit my contact page for information on how to reach me.

Budget for a POS System but Don't Focus on Price

One thing that irks me is when someone focuses solely on price and ignores value. While it is important to budget for a POS system, ignoring value and focusing solely on price is the wrong way to approach investing in a POS system for your business or organization.  Things to avoid:

• Attempting to save $100 by finding the lowest hardware price from different vendors. For the sake of setup and ongoing support, it is much better to purchase everything from one source.
• Comparing costs of completely different systems. POS programs have different features and functions - a nominal difference in upfront or monthly costs is minor when compared to finding a POS program that does what you need it to do for your business or organization.

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 (I am on Mountain Time) or via email at kevinantosh@gmail.com. There is also a contact form to the right that can be used to reach me.

More Good Stuff Added to Bindo Point of Sale

The folks at Bindo Point of Sale (www.bindopos.com) have been busy adding new features and functions to the Bindo Point of Sale system. As you know Bindo is a popular* mobile point of sale system that uses iPads and iPhones for selling while utilizing internet browsers for manager and owner functions like running reports, placing product orders, and making price changes. Here is what has been added to Bindo recently:

1. Scale Support and decimal entry: whether you use a scale that connects directly to Bindo (available in 10 pound and 30 pound models) or use a stand alone scale and enter the weight manually, Bindo now supports calculating price by weight. Very helpful for corner markets, delis, grocery stores, feed stores and pet stores.
2. Modifiers: not just for restaurant use but also very helpful for retail businesses that offer customization or design work (think custom furniture stores or embroidery stores). 

Here is a video showing sales of weighted items and items with modifiers in Bindo:

More reviews on Bindo POS can be found here: https://bindopos.com/reviews

Please visit my contact page for information on how to reach me.

*Popular based on the sheer number of folks that contact me to let me know that their business or organization has selected Bindo.

What Point of Sale Systems are the Most Popular

Since late 2013, I have provided free and unbiased advice to over 400 retail stores, restaurants, and museums. Many of you have been kind enough to let me know what you ended up purchasing.

On the retail side, Bindo Point of Sale (www.bindopos.com) has emerged as the clear winner. With advanced features that point of sale systems like NCR Silver and First Data Clover can't offer, Bindo combines what folks want in a POS system while keeping the affordability that cloud based systems offer.

On the food service side, Sapphire from Khamu (http://www.khamu.com/) has proven to be popular. With dedication to the restaurant market, personalized service, and a price much lower than other restaurant solutions like MICROS, Digital Dining, and Aloha, Sapphire offers a complete solution at a budget friendly price point.

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 (I am on Mountain Time) or via email at kevinantosh@gmail.com. There is also a contact form to the right that can be used to reach me.

Prolific Point of Sale

Just a quick note that I am hoping to review the Prolific Point of Sale program sometime in late March or early April. Prolific Point of Sale is an iPad based point of sale application that can work in both retail and food service businesses and organizations.

As Prolific Point of Sale is attached to a merchant services company, I will not only be reviewing the actual app but also asking the tough questions related to costs and fees for using the app, service & support, and hardware costs as well as what sort of merchant services rates are offered and if your rates can be raised over time.

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 (I am on Mountain Time) or via email at kevinantosh@gmail.com. There is also a contact form to the right that can be used to reach me.

Which Point of Sale System is Best for You?

Tough question as the answer varies depending on several factors like:

• Type of business
• Type of products and services sold
• Annual sales volume
• Location
• Technical knowledge of the leadership team
• Growth plans
• Existing technology in place and how long the existing technology has been used

Really a short answer isn't possible without learning more about your business or organization. While it would be nice to provide a short answer - the short answer would likely not be very helpful and may send you down the wrong path.

Best bet is to contact me for unbiased point of sale advice, attend one of my point of sale workshops, or even watch my YouTube videos which cover multiple aspects of searching for a new or upgraded point of sale system.

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 (I am on Mountain Time) or via email at kevinantosh@gmail.com. There is also a contact form to the right that can be used to reach me.

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