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Bar Point of Sale (POS) Software
In this fast-paced industry, intuitive and easy-to-navigate point-of-sale (POS) user interfaces - along with strong inventory management features - are essential. Price scheduling is a must for bar owners, as hourly, daily and seasonal menus constantly affect drink prices and availability. To reduce the POS hardware footprint and improve accessibility and order speeds, many solutions are deployed on touchscreen systems. Some bars that offer food and seating options will often use restaurant point-of-sale (POS) software to better manage order tickets, food preparation and section seating.
General ledger, accounts payable and accounts receivable are often central features in these applications. In addition, time and tip tracking are also often included to expedite end of day (EOD) pay-outs. Customer relationship management (CRM) features are becoming increasingly more popular as more bar owners are reaching out to patrons with SMS marketing, social media and email.
Key Requirements for Bars
These are the features that bar owners should look for when evaluating point of sale systems that meet their specific needs:
| Recipe definition and customization | These systems should allow users to customize drink orders, as well as look up drink components from definitions. Users can access a “hotlist” of popular drinks and then modify them on a per-item basis. |
| Order entry | The important order entry aspects of these systems include tab transfers, repeat orders and check consolidation. Most features are commonly accessible from the main order-entry dashboard. |
| Price scheduling | Multiple menus, specials, happy hours, and other promotions need to be easily managed and customized within the system. Rotating prices should automatically change with the system’s internal clock. |
| Multi-user compatibility | Since a single terminal is often shared by multiple bartenders, these systems should include integrated login features for users. Card readers, fingerprint scanners or just numerical keypads are some of the popular integrations. |
| Tip tracking and payroll | Tips should be linked to user accounts to assist with both end-of-shift payouts and IRS recording purposes. These systems often integrate tip tracking with a time clock module to assist with payroll management. |
| Video and security system integration | These solutions often integrate with video surveillance systems to reduce shrink (beverage “sweethearting”) and loss. In addition, it’s becoming increasingly common for systems to integrate directly with bars’ security systems. |
| Customer relationship management (CRM) | While not a traditional module within these systems, vendors are now providing CRM functionality as many bars are using social media to promote events and specials, as well as connect with local patrons. Email marketing is one of the more common features. |
| Inventory management, ordering and receiving | Bar POS systems will need reporting and management features to manage inventory that moves quickly and fluctuates regularly. Bars will often establish regular shipping schedules with suppliers, so these systems will need to be able to accept automatic shipment notices (ASNs). |
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The Assistant Manager
The Assistant Manager, an on-premise point of sale solution from Lode Data Systems includes inventory management, CRM and accounting functionality. Great for both independent and chain operations.
Aprego Food Service Touch Screen POS
Aprego offers a touchscreen POS solution that includes inventory management and customer relationship management features. Can be customized for particular operations and features custom menus and time tracking.
NetSuite Multi-Channel Retail Management Suite
For users that already have hardware or would like to access their software with just a web browser, NetSuite is a great choice for both chain bars and independent pubs. Very strong accounting and inventory management features.
Ambur Restaurant POS
Ambur POS is an iPad-based point of sale solution designed for food-service establishments. Also integrates with iPhones and iPod Touches. Includes an integrated time clock, credit card scanner and wireless printing.
Brink POS
Brink Software's point of sale solution helps restaurants owners, managers and employees track sales, implement customer loyalty programs and manage kitchen operations. This web-based system is ideal for multi-site restaurants.
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Gotmerchant.com
Offering a free POS system to retailers that also make use of their credit card processing services, Gotmerchant.com gives bar and restaurant owners everything they need, including hardware, software, training and more.
Microsoft Dynamics GP
An important aspect of bar management is having reliable software in place to help you manage pricing, respond to change, and reduce costs. Microsoft Dynamics GP has the integrated functionality to meet those needs and more.
NCR Silver
NCR's newest offering, NCR Silver, is a cloud-based Point of Sale solution that is native to the iPad and iPhone, offering small independent retailers a sleek, unique way to sell from anywhere.
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