I'm the developer of a cloud based Point of Sale system - SplitAbility POS. This blog unpacks and explains some of the technology associated with on-line POS systems. Specifically leaning toward hospitality type usages.
I look at some the differences in legacy systems, the pros and cons of the modern systems and why I'm backing the cloud!
Some of our latest development improvements and features include:
Time Zones
We now support over 600 different time zones. Admin users can set the transaction journal timestamps to their local time (Default is UTC). Staff login logout times also reflect this setting. Here's How:
1.Settings - Admin - Time Zone.
2.Search & set your time zone.
The improvements in the speed of processing orders just keep coming!
This week sees the release of single item "Touch to Serve" buttons for ready items on all overview screens.
Servers simply touch these buttons to change the state of an order item from "Ready" to "Served". So for single items it's one less touch to declutter screens.
Category and bulk state change buttons work as before i.e. Are accessed by selecting (click or touch) any order item.
Real-time Kitchen Display Systems (Smart KDS) offer advantages not seen before in the hospitality industry.
Reduction in service times is the big one but add in improved accuracy and more productive and the advantages stack up.
You can only get so far shuffling printed dockets around. Smart KDS screens display orders the instant each order is selected rather than waiting for the entire order, thus giving bock of house staff a heads up on what is coming through, check boxes appear only after the entire order is sent.
Reasons to go paperless are mounting. e.g. All cleared tickets are instantly accessible on the "Virtual Ticket Spike" from any screen, tablet or device.
Still think you should stick with printed dockets?
Tablet-based hospitality POS coupled with Kitchen Display Systems (KDS) are becoming the preferred ordering model for modern venues.
Unique features
KDS is built-in to the software. Any tablet, computer screen or smart TV can be used to display order status. Check-boxes synchronise across all stations to inform staff. Category selection is done on a per device basis allowing staff to view what they require. The ‘virtual ticket spike’ allows staff to scroll through the entire order history and replicates the paper spike. Ross Orr, developer/director of SplitAbility, has noticed a marked increase in the switch to bump screens as businesses move to the modern approach.
Fixed cost: multiple devices/all platforms
Add as many devices as you need; the $60-month plan covers the entire site for registers, tablets, KDS, smartphones and smart TVs. The product has a suite of built-in functions, such as online order-ahead ‘fast.cafe’, takeaway maps, table management and more.
Bill splitting
By allowing multiple totals on a single order, splitting bills is as easy as touching the item and assigning to a name. Both upfront and retrospective splitting is supported. Direct payment integration means the app can run natively on payment platforms such as ANZ’s BladePay or CBA’s Albert that use Android OS.
Menu changes
Agile venues change their offerings daily. This is achieved by simply editing an online spreadsheet. SplitAbility is authorised by Google to access ‘Drive’ and ‘Sheets’. Categories, button graphics, prices or colours can by changed and propagate to all devices.
Using data network
This cloud-based system seamlessly switches to the mobile data network if required, allowing recovery from wi-fi black spots.
Uptime and support
With a 100% uptime record over six years, SplitAbility is unmatched for service availability with 24/7 phone access to a system expert.
This video show how easy it is to use the KDS with an iPad or any tablet