Has Your Business Thought About POS Systems?

As a hospitality business owner, you know how far your industry has come in terms of technology… and POS ordering systems are becoming increasingly popular. They make the process of order taking and serving so much easier for your staff, but they have their moments of weakness.

No technology is perfect, it was designed by people after all! Let’s take a look at some of the issues you can face with POS systems and how you can keep them at bay.

Slowing down your service?

Ever found your POS system doing the opposite of what it’s meant to do? Sometimes the systems can actually slow us down and experience dropouts and poor connections, frustrating we know! However, it may not be the fault of the system. Like most modern-day technology, it runs on WiFi and your connection is important for all your systems to run smoothly.

The POS systems work by taking the orders, processing them, and sending them to the relevant place (kitchens, printers, etc…) so if your equipment isn’t working as it should be, your connection should be your first port of call when it comes to investigating.

An easy target for cyber hackers?

This can be one of the biggest challenges when dealing with a POS system. It stores a lot of information including customer details and credit card information, so it’s important that it stays secure and isn’t forgotten about.Â

Older systems may not have encryption in their devices, meaning information, PIN numbers, and more can be tracked, saved, and stolen. Choosing a newer POS system and doing research into the types of security measures it has in place is really important when thinking about purchasing POS ordering and payment systems.Â

WiFi and internet can also leave your systems exposed and vulnerable to malware, so as important as it is to have a secure system it’s also important to have a secure connection.Â

So POS systems, card terminals, and internet connections can all leave you vulnerable, and whether your business is a restaurant, nightclub, or retail store it’s important to think about your security and put the right measures in place.

How can you ensure your systems are secure?

Here are a few things you can do to make sure systems are secureÂ

• Encryption –it’s been tried and tested, it’s the best way to ensure whatever customer data you are storing cannot be accessed and stolen by cybercriminals.
• Restricting access –Âcontrolling who has access to passwords and specific online systems can limit people who don’t need to know company information from gaining access to sensitive data such as saved passwords, card details, and more.Â
• Multi-factor authentication –if you are worried about people outside of your organisation trying to access your systems, multi-factor authentication allows you to be able to confirm from specific devices, email addresses, or mobile numbers that it is you trying to log in, and if it’s not then you know someone is attempting to log in on your behalf and can up your security measures where appropriate.
• Make sure it meets your business’s needs and requirements – there’s no doubt that these systems can be an expensive initial purchase, so choosing the right one for your business should be a careful decision to consider. Things like ongoing fees, bank merchants, scalability, and more should all be thought about when shopping for a POS system.

It should also have all the necessary features that your business needs and should make your team more productive and lead to a smoother service (top tip! Look online for staff training resources so your staff know how to use your new system).

Do you have the right IT network and support in place?

Businesses like Astaris can take care of your entire network including your hardware, software, and equipment. If you struggle with your IT or find that your equipment experiences a lot of issues, it may be a good idea to have an IT support team who are on hand to fix problems so your business can carry on and stay running smoothly.

Overall there is a lot to consider when purchasing a POS ordering or payment system for your business. Ensuring you have the correct IT network and equipment in place as well as making sure it is the right move for your business.Â

If you need any help or advice when it comes to choosing a POS system, please get in touch with our team here.