Loader

26 Mar Digital Ordering Integrated to Point of Sale: Foodservice Operators’ Recipe for Success

Posted at 09:00h in Technology by
0 Likes

The point of sale (POS) system is the brains of any restaurant operation. This system is a vital part of the business – it houses the menu database, keeps track of all order transactions, and ultimately provides accurate reporting to restaurant owners. There are several POS solutions that a restaurant may choose from, however, an ideal setup is to integrate digital food ordering with the POS itself. This POS integration ensures all orders are fulfilled and addressed, building a better guest experience along the way. GlobeNewswire states that the global restaurant POS market will swell to nearly $26 billion by 2026, so now is the time for brands to get on board with the trend. 

Integrating digital ordering with POS provides a single system for restaurant managers to receive orders, reduces time spent on manual entry, and tracks inventory in real-time. However, it is best to think about the POS from another point of view by first understanding how it works and why proper POS integration can make or break the system.

How Does POS Integration Work to Unify Ordering Channels

POS systems allow foodservice operators to effectively manage back-of-the-house operations and in-store sales and purchases––from scanning product data and printing receipts to swiping a credit/debit card and entering credentials on a pin pad. 

However, POS systems must integrate with other applications and systems within a restaurant’s technology stack to be effective and efficient. Failure to integrate the POS system with existing technology can lead to time-consuming, inefficient processes and inaccurate results due to error-prone manual inputs.

By leveraging POS connectivity via APIs, you can integrate into existing disparate ordering systems to allow information synchronizations and real-time data flow between POS, mobile app, online ordering and third-party delivery marketplaces.

For instance, Tacit unifies third-party orders from Uber Eats, DoorDash, and SkipTheDishes along with your online and in-store orders in a single user interface.

Tacit specializes in digital ordering POS integration. This includes the integration of payment processors, loyalty platforms, and delivery aggregators. Having one central system, connected to a food ordering app, can improve operational efficiency, reduce time spent on reporting and reconciliation, as well as reduce overall costs. With the help of Tacit, clients can view all online and in-store orders on a convenient central dashboard. 

Other Tacit clients have reported an increase in average check sizes, up to 15-20% more than average sales in select cases among many other benefits.

The Benefits of Integration are Significant

Increased check size is not the only benefit of integration. Other benefits range from improvements in customer service to opening up new opportunities for the company. At the same time, failures in integration can amount to lost business revenue and challenges in keeping up with the customers’ expectations. 

This is a reality check for businesses. Integration is crucial for the success of restaurants in this decade. If you are still looking for a reason to integrate, a detailed breakdown is listed below:

  • A centralized database created and managed by the POS integration stores all sales data and provides an endless stream of information to help restaurateurs manage everything. This includes providing an overview of all processes, reports, staff management needs, reward programs and more from within the platform. 
  • Improved operational efficiency with seamless order flow.  All online and in-store orders are managed by a single point of sale system making use of existing kitchen printers or order monitors, which eliminates the need for additional KDS or printers. This centralized order management helps ensure that no order is missed. This amounts to more effective kitchen workflows, lower risk of error in food prep, and faster service. Most importantly, increased speed of service corresponds with greater revenue as restaurants can process more customers per hour.
  • Consolidated reporting of online & in-store transactions. Reporting and analytics provide operators with a measure of the real health of the restaurant. This is essential for deciding when to scale, whether to test new concepts and determining how much money is being spent on maintenance. Integration to the POS allows operators to unify reporting of online and in-store systems, thereby organizing everything into a single resource which saves time along the way. 
  • Users may also track menu items inventory in real-time to adjust their digital offerings. This is a critical function for restaurants unfortunately that may still endure the uncertainty of disruption, such as temporary supply shortages. After all, how can we make onion soup without onions when they fly off the shelves during a shortage caused by unforeseen market forces. Rather than attempting the impossible by anticipating changes, restaurants can stay ahead of the game with an integrated platform that has the capacity to either account for such inventory shortages, deactivate the menu item, or recommend an alternate menu item to guests. This is all part of the continuous need for faster and more effective POS integration, to prevent hassle and worry plus save time for brands and guests alike.
  • Increased order accuracy. Since the systems communicate and share data, the risk of order errors declines with less room for manual errors. This equates to improved customer experiences and enhanced profitability.
  • Stabilization of kitchen workflows and the schedule. With integration in place restaurateurs are better prepared with realistic expectations, so they can adjust the operating schedule accordingly and reduce the hassle of managing peaks vs. lulls in ordering.
  • Competitive advantage. POS integration is critical for maintaining a competitive advantage. Integration provides streamlined order workflows, improved speed of service and operational efficiencies.  A faster and more efficient customer experience is how operators can gain market share from competitors. When customers have an approbatory experience, they are more likely to return to your location in person and online, allowing you to capture a greater share of the market.

Choose The Right Digital POS Integrator Partnership to Thrive

Brands that have partnered with Tacit have seen sales growth rates improve significantly while increasing the average check size. Tacit is currently partnered with the top hospitality brands in North America and integrates with many POS systems that are commonly used within the industry. This is why Tacit is continuously working on new integrations to meet the needs of our prospective clients.

For example, current integration partners in Point of Sale include :

With eight years of experience with integrations and partnerships under our belt, Tacit ensures that this process is effortless and seamless for restaurants. To find out how your brand can become part of the solution and push toward a bigger check size, faster service, and greater kitchen productivity, connect with Tacit today.

Tags:
1 Comment