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!
SplitAbility pushes all user data back to the user's private and secure account in the form of a "transaction journal". In our latest release we have added a built-in dashboard. The dashboard calculates total sales for various time intervals:
Hourly
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Yearly
Examples of the the dashboard formats are shown here and can be adjusted for any date / time period using the toolbar and calendar:
Use the toolbar to select the format:
These charts are a handy way to set or check other business activity e.g. staff level scheduling or takings from previous time periods.
Other built-in reports include inventory and best sellers.
As always you can generate many custom reports from the transaction journal.
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.
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
