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The IPad Is Here! It May Streamline Your Restaurant Point Of Sale!
Ever since the iPad was in the mainstream business owners have been thinking up increasingly creative uses for it. Most work has been devoted to developing applications to expand and focus the tablets’ functionality. But many retailers and restauranteurs alike have discovered the iPad’s design and user interface make the machine itself the perfect tool for any number of uses.
Restaurants are at the cutting edge, and with good reason. Here are just five of the ways you can turn the iPad into a powerful marketing tool for your restaurant.
1) Server-Held Mobile POS
Most POS software can run on any PC, and the iPad is no exception. It's only a matter of time before all restaurant chains will use them tableside. With POS at the table , waiters take orders and input immediately and reduce the margin for error. No more memorization.
Each waiter will have their own terminal, which eliminates the frequent wait at the POS station. No longer spend time next to the terminal to approve voids and discounts. Instead, your servers can come to you, wherever you are in the restaurant.
Processing credit cards can put your customers at ease. If servers have to directly swipe credit cards at the table they reduce the chance of identity theft.
Despite its strong points, there are a few negatives to consider. The iPad was not designed for the rough retail environment. This leads to a few key concerns:
1. They are fragile
2.They can be large (make sure they fit in an apron!)
3. They could get stolen
4. Wireless connectivity is sometimes unreliable
However, there is little doubt that we will see a case that remedies these problems in the near future.
2) Menus & Wine Lists
For even greater impact, some restaurant owners are leaving iPads at the table for the diners to enjoy. The key draw here is simple: the “cool” factor. It will absolutely to make a good impression on every customer. Diners can flip through images of the dishes prior to ordering, get a detailed list of ingredients, and receive wine suggestions for the meal. Restauranteurs can push daily specials or automatically remove anything from the menu.
The customer can even look at a long list of wines on the iPad. Instead of a one or two sentence description, you can link to online reviews, or show pictures of the vineyards they are most interested in. Diners can sort by price, varietal, or region and find suggestions for the meal they have in mind.
3) Kid’s Entertainment
Angry Birds. Cut the Rope. Plants vs the alternative. You can keep all the top, most popular games right at the table, keeping kids quiet and parents able to relax and enjoy their meal. A relaxed family is more likely to spend more money and return more often. Happy customers are repeat customers. Your customer may join in the fun too!
3) Marketing
An iPad at the table is the perfect way to gather information about your customers. In-between ordering and playing games you can show fun commercials, push specials, or request contact information..
4) Stationary POS Terminal
For as little as $500 and a POS software license you could have a fully functioning POS station. Why risk damage? Use a rugged and inexpensive case to be reliable in quick service environments it could be ideal for coffee shops, bakeries, retail outlets and more. The iPad’s slim design and small footprint make an elegant statement in any establishment, especially where a full-sized POS terminal would be impractically large.
With over 20 years of restaruant experience, the author and Vice President of Customer Relations at POS-for-Restaurants.com, helps you use your technology to be more efficient and more profitable.
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