| Gone are the days of putting the takings in a drawer | | | | which lets you breath a sigh of relief, or they only put |
| behind the bar -- or are they? Surprisingly, there are still | | | | through the two pints, and don't record the 3 gins! You |
| bar owners whose beverage cost control is limited to | | | | now have proof with which to question this staff |
| writing down the price of a drink in a book and placing | | | | member. |
| the takings in the bank at the end of the day. | | | | If these things happen without your knowledge, and |
| Nowadays bars, hotels and restaurants have so much | | | | let's agree that we know these things do happen, then |
| more to contend with when implementing sales and | | | | over the period of a year you could be looking at a |
| stock control. In the past there were probably only a | | | | hefty loss from your taking. With a PC based POS |
| few items on your stock list and keeping control of | | | | system you have full traceability when it comes to |
| these was a lot easier. But nowadays the reality is a | | | | sales and stock control. Your staff will have to follow |
| lot different. | | | | controls set by you. You set the security levels. |
| The type of POS system in your establishment can | | | | By introducing a PC based POS system into your |
| make a great difference when it comes to keeping an | | | | establishment you have total control over your stock, |
| eye on your stock levels and your finances at the end | | | | costs and staff. You can choose what reports you |
| of the year. | | | | need at the end of the day -- whether it be 'how |
| There are two basic different POS systems you can | | | | many shots of well vodka do we sell' or 'what is our |
| install in your establishment -- one is a basic cash | | | | best selling wine', you can have this in your hand at the |
| register system where all your prices are entered in | | | | close of business every day. |
| the till and at the end of the day you can print off a | | | | Here are a few of the things you can have full control |
| basic read to show you your sales that day. The other | | | | over with a PC based POS system: |
| type of POS system is PC based i.e. it is connected to | | | | * Full sales history of every single drinks item sold. |
| a computer system throughout your establishment | | | | * Implement different drink prices for different areas of |
| allowing you to see at any time how your sales are | | | | your establishment e.g. Function Room has a different |
| doing and giving you full control over your stock items. | | | | price level to the Main Bar. |
| The type of system you chose is all relative to how | | | | * Have different cash registers set up for different |
| you see your business in 5 years time. If you are | | | | uses -- 1 for food only, 2 for drinks and so on. |
| happy to keep going at the pace you are at now then | | | | * Unlimited number of buttons so unlimited number of |
| a basic till system would be perfect for you -- why go | | | | stock items to display. No room for wrong price being |
| to more expense? But if you see expansion, e.g. | | | | input, therefore making control easier. |
| moving into serving food, extending the bar, or even | | | | * Full table tracking when ordering food. No need to |
| opening more premises, then a PC based POS | | | | rely on the customer to tell you what they had to eat! |
| system that you can upgrade will be an invaluable | | | | * Kitchen printers allow for orders to go straight to the |
| resource. | | | | kitchen, making it easier for the chef to read what is |
| The sky is the limit when it comes to what you want | | | | ordered, ensuring higher standards of service. |
| from your POS system. It is now possible to watch | | | | * Hotels can have full Property Management System |
| what is going on behind the bar, in real time, from the | | | | (PMS) allowing real time room charging from |
| comfort of your office or even your home. New | | | | anywhere in the hotel. |
| technology now allows for a bar owner/manager to | | | | * Security for staff -- each staff member has to sign |
| dial into any cash register from their computer and see | | | | in when using a cash register. |
| what transactions are being put through the register. | | | | There are so many different areas that you will be |
| Couple this with CCTV trained on the bar, you can | | | | able to control that will allow you to eliminate |
| also view what is being served over the counter and | | | | discrepancies and therefore increase your sales. Take |
| work out if the amounts tally. This is Big Brother for the | | | | a close look at your establishment today and see if |
| Bar owner. | | | | you could benefit from an upgrade in your control |
| OK, let's look at an example -- a staff member who | | | | measures. |
| you suspect may be giving away free drinks, is serving | | | | If you are considering replacing your current POS |
| a group of their friends and you want to know if they | | | | system or setting up a new bar, always make sure |
| are paying for the correct amount of drinks. You | | | | you get a full site survey before going ahead with any |
| watch them, on the CCTV, pull two pints, and pour | | | | purchase. Putting in a whole POS system, although |
| three gin & tonics -- you then dial into the cash | | | | costing a significant amount, will be one of the most |
| register and watch the transaction go through. Maybe | | | | important purchases you can make for your control, |
| the staff member puts through the whole transaction, | | | | saving you time and most importantly, money. |