How To Choose A Hospitality EPOS System

Posted by Epos Direct UK on February 16th, 2023

The components of a POS machine include hardware, software, and operational features.  

Not all POS machines are created equal and some will suit your business better than others. You may just need a simple system to complete business transactions, or you may need a full-service option that also tracks inventory, and employee tips, and integrates with other apps. Before choosing from the available epos system for wine & liquor, assess your business needs and assess how each option meets those needs. 

Epos System For Pub & Bar 

Epos system for a restaurant or bar, you'll need to buy or rent your hardware components, although industry experts recommend avoiding leasing because of the long-term and irrevocable contract. The over-the-counter POS station typically includes a tablet and stand, a receipt printer, and a cash drawer. You will also need a card reader.

Depending on your needs and budget, you may want to integrate other peripherals for a seamless POS station, including barcode scanners, scales, and liquor control devices. Bars with kitchens and cocktail servers will require additional equipment. For example, if you serve food in your bar, you will need a kitchen printer or kitchen display system (KDS).

Since bars are often fast-paced environments with occasional spills, smaller accessories like a waterproof tablet case can be a good investment to keep your gear up and running. POS hardware such as kiosks, digital menu boards, and coin dispensers are available, but they are usually not essential for a bar's POS system.

Epos Software

Most POS software is software as a service (SaaS) and cloud-based or application-based, although you can also choose a local server-based option. The best POS software for your business will depend on the size and capacity of your bar.

Due to its affordability and ease of use, cloud-based POS software has become very popular among the business community. This type of software can be easily installed on your POS terminal or tablet and offers many features including the ability to store and view your sales data online. The type of integration you implement with this software will depend on the plan you choose from your service provider. While the cloud-based software is easy to deploy and maintain for most bars, it can be slow and prone to crashing if you have an unstable internet connection.  

Locally hosted POS software is the old way of operating an epos system for a hotel or bar. With this option, your data is stored on-local server, which can cause problems for managers who need to access their data sets outside of the bar. This option is more expensive and usually only beneficial for very large facilities. If you run a small or medium-sized bar, cloud-based point-of-sale software is probably the best option for your business.

Choose The Best Bar POS System

When choosing the best epos system for your bar, it's important to consider what POS features you need and your available budget. You don't want to be stuck with something that has all those features you'll never use or worse, can't grow with your business. To make sure you're making an informed decision, consider the following:

Does it meet your specific business needs? 

Some POS systems cater to retailers, while others cater to hospitality. So be sure to look for one that suits your specific needs. You want to choose one designed with the bars in mind, not the one that makes it the afterthought. 

Can it support your growth? 

It is important to anticipate the growth of your business and choose a bar POS system that allows you to grow as you see fit.

Is it affordable for your budget? 

There are many POS systems on the market with different price points. You want to choose one that fits your budget. The point of sale is designed to help you run your business better. If expenses are too high, it can harm your cash flow.

Is the software compatible with your other business applications? 

A good bar POS will easily integrate with your accounting software and other business apps to give you a holistic view of your business. If the POS system doesn't integrate with your existing software and you don't want to switch providers, choose another POS provider.