Food Service Technology Review

MAKING A SMART DECISION AND SAVING MONEY!

Two Objectives when considering purchasing a Point of Sale (POS) system

Supported by a four step, easy procedure

Martin CJ Mongiello

Martin CJ Mongiello Food Technology The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, PA Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Point of Sale Systems Advice

An introduction to decision making for whether or not to purchase a POS system

Consider several factors for your hospitality setting

Not all features can be used Money saving features must be

driven by a very few intelligent people



This presentation will challenge you to consider the facts before you spend a lot of money

Not every situation needs a $30,000.00 POS system with all of the software and hardware

Not every establishment needs a $10,000.00 system



Why do you think you need POS? What can you prove you will attain

with it? Can you convince your CPA,

attorney and owners of the proof? Once you answer the tough

questions you might be close to what you really need…



Just because the vendor sells all of the modules doesn’t mean you will actually, really use them

Some features that can pay off huge are increased efficiency, exact correctness of accountancy (math) and speed!

Orders placed will be routed all over the establishment fast letting everyone know what is going on and that is excellent.



Theft of checks by wait staff will plummet down as it becomes impossible to ditch a check, steal free food or serve friends for free.

Orders placed to GET food will be recorded in the main frame and kitchen.

Credit card acceptance streamlines all financial transactions lowering cash holding and deposit problems each night.

Wait staff are forced to comply with IRS tip laws and IRS tipping rules.



Front desk staff are prevented from giving sweetheart discounts or free rooms as key cards cannot be issued freely.

Automatic food/consumables ordering and HINT lists MODULE can be purchased and activated based on ingredient usage counts bounced against last nights ticket, room and food sales

Some of these extra modules can be ordered and used



Some POS offer MODULES for check in and check out of the time clock thus eliminating time cards!

Team hours worked data can be automatically transmitted to payroll and accounting further streamlining former wasted hours, lost cards, forged hours & managerial mistakes


Not all features can be used

Do you really need the accounting module?

Will you use the inventory system and use it to save money?

Will you have a bar code reader for inventory and hand scanner?

Or will you use a palm pilot during inventory and then upload later?



Do you need a Manager Override Feature to change a bill?

Or can any employee void a bill? Should the Manager have to use the

card only he or she has around their neck or a key to do an override!!!???

Are these security features you need or don’t need?



Some operations have a family of four who handle the cash and all credit cards and therefore do NOT need those features.

Some properties do not do inventory weekly and do not need those features. They DO NOT do inventory even monthly!



Be careful not to waste your money on extensive add on modules and features that you do not or are not going to use.

You DO NOT have to follow the pack.

Order features only that will help your operation



As a Manager of Camp David, a former White House Chef and troubleshooter to Fortune 500 firms I often see wasted money on wasted and useless systems that are not being utilized.

Massive hardware costs only exacerbate the problem further.


Money saving features must be driven by a very few intelligent people

Most POS systems are made easy for average folks to use.

There is nothing wrong with making a simple system handy to understand by the majority.

However, for high end data crunching it is advised to have at least two staff members trained.


Money saving features must be driven by a very few intelligent people

The high end, highly intelligent Managers will be paid more but will save you more.

Without them, you will not get much out of your system in the long run.

Daily input of food receipts is critical via hand or EDI to monitor food costs to the hour on the menu


Summary

POS is an excellent machine and tool to have!

POS is designed to pay for itself smartly and quickly.

Only order and use what you truly need and avoid wasted money.

A few smart people can lead the whole team to enriched profits!

Documents

Food Service Technology Review