December 19, 2024
Written by: The POS Exchange Team
Whether taking orders, processing payments, or managing inventory, a restaurant's point of sale (POS) system is vital to keeping operations smooth. Consider whether staff could perform all these functions using a handheld device at the table. They could take orders and process payments without leaving the customers' side. Restaurant POS integration ensures seamless connectivity between various systems, enabling synchronized updates to menus, inventory, and sales data.
This scenario is one of many ways a handheld restaurant POS system can streamline operations and enhance the customer experience. This guide explores how this mobile system can boost your restaurant's efficiency, improve customer service, and integrate smoothly with existing operations—without exceeding your budget.
The POS Exchange's solution, POS systems, can help you achieve these objectives to find the perfect handheld POS system for restaurants that meet your unique needs.
Handheld or mobile POS systems are portable point-of-sale devices that enable restaurant staff to take orders, process payments, and manage tasks directly from handheld devices like tablets or specialized POS terminals. In a full-service restaurant, these devices help eliminate the time-consuming back-and-forth trips to a traditional, kiosk-based POS that can hinder operational efficiency and make for an awkward dining experience.
With a handheld POS, a server can store an entire POS in their apron, and orders can be fired before they leave the table. Most handheld POS options also have integrated payment solutions, eliminating the back-and-forth of dropping the check, running the payment, and returning the receipt. This saves time and, of course, energy on behalf of the waitstaff. But is it worth switching if you already have a traditional POS kiosk? If you’re running a full-service restaurant, it’s something to at least consider. We explain what you need to know to get the most out of a potential transition.
In today’s connected and tech-driven era, the demand for swift and convenient service in the mining industry has never been higher. Handheld POS systems have become essential for restaurants striving to enhance service efficiency and customer satisfaction to meet these modern expectations. Here’s why they are crucial:
Handheld POS systems streamline the ordering process, reducing the time it takes to input and send orders to the kitchen. This means faster service and happier customers.
With orders entered directly into the system, the chances of errors due to miscommunication or illegible handwriting are virtually eliminated. This leads to fewer mistakes and greater customer satisfaction.
Handheld POS devices allow servers to move around the restaurant and interact with customers more effectively. This personal touch enhances the dining experience and encourages repeat business.
These systems provide valuable data on customer preferences, peak dining times, and popular menu items. This information can be used to make informed decisions about menu changes and marketing strategies.
Handheld POS systems enhance operational efficiency and accuracy in front-of-house activities, lowering labor costs and increasing profitability. These systems help streamline your restaurant’s operations by minimizing errors and optimizing workflows, resulting in significant cost savings.
The utility of these systems extends beyond just order taking and data collection. Let’s explore how these powerful tools function in a typical restaurant setting.
The basic process of a Handheld POS system is straightforward and efficient. When a customer places an order, the server or waiter uses the handheld device to input the order details, which are instantly transmitted to the central POS system. This smooth communication ensures the kitchen staff receives orders promptly, minimizing delays and errors. Once the meal is ready, the server can also use the handheld device to notify the customer’s table, ensuring the food arrives hot and fresh.
However, the functionality of handheld POS systems doesn’t stop with order placement. These devices are equipped with integrated scanners and receipt printers, allowing quick and convenient payment processing at the customer’s table. This includes modern payment methods like credit cards and NFC payments like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other mobile payment platforms. This enhances the overall dining experience, helps increase table turnover rates, and boosts tips through easy tip selection functions.
Handheld POS systems often require smooth operation integration with your central POS system and other restaurant management software. This ensures that your inventory, menu items, and customer data are synchronized across all devices, minimizing errors and saving valuable time.
Handheld POS devices come in various forms, each catering to specific needs and preferences. The two primary types are:
These are the most common handheld POS devices in restaurants. They are lightweight tablets or iPads equipped with specialized POS software. Servers can easily carry them to each table to take orders and process payments. Tablet-based systems are versatile, allowing restaurants to customize the software to suit their menu and operational requirements.
These devices resemble traditional POS terminals but are compact and portable. They often feature built-in receipt printers and card readers, providing a complete tableside ordering and payment processing solution. Handheld terminal POS systems are robust and durable, ideal for high-volume establishments.
Both handheld POS systems offer smooth integration with a restaurant’s POS software. This ensures that all orders and payments are synchronized with the central system, reducing the chances of errors and discrepancies.
With handhelds, ordering and paying happen faster. Servers can take and send orders right at the table. Drinks show up in a couple of minutes. Appetizers are perfectly timed before the main course. Food is started in the kitchen when servers press a button. Desserts are ordered in a flash. And when it's time to pay the bill, transactions are settled in a few moments instead of several minutes. These quicker transitions between courses enable you to drive lower table times without making guests feel rushed. Lower times mean more table turns, and more turns mean more sales. And that's part of the solution to increasing your profit margins.
When servers memorize or write down orders, mistakes happen. The scribbled writing that said "sandwich" was sent in as a salad. The steak that came out medium-well was supposed to be medium-rare. Or maybe that third round of drinks was forgotten when the server was called over by a chatty regular. These mistakes cost your restaurant time and money. Not only does it double food costs with the remake, but guests stay longer waiting for the correct item. Most likely, tips are lower, too.
With handhelds, errors like these are reduced (if not eliminated) because servers can put in orders when a guest says it. Orders then get sent straight to the kitchen or bar in real-time, right to your ticket printer or KDS, making it easy for your kitchen staff to read them accurately. Altogether, handhelds make it easy for your team to get it right the first time, every time.
Handhelds allow you to create those unexpected magical moments for guests. For instance, your servers can send drink orders to the bar at the table before taking a table's food order. When the cocktails (or mocktails) show up before the server steps away, your guests are sure to be impressed by the speed of your staff.
Or a guest quietly lets your server know they want to order and pay for unique desserts for the table. With a couple of taps on a handheld, the server discreetly places the order while adding it to the guest's check. Everyone is amazed when the guest announces their surprise order when the desserts arrive.
A party member may want to pay quickly from their iPhone because they must leave immediately. The server presents the check from a handheld, and with a wave of the phone, the bill is instantly settled through their Apple Pay account without a trip to the POS. Serve handhelds make it easy for your waitstaff to make guests feel important and give more attention to tables.
Want to lower labor costs and keep your best servers in one fell swoop? Handhelds could be your answer. If your restaurant struggles with the current labor shortage, equipping servers with technology to take more tables will fill the gap. Not only will they be happier with a smooth ordering and payment experience, but with more tables, they'll get more tips.
Restaurants using handhelds typically see their average ticket price and tip amount go up. Combine that with the fact that your servers can cover more tables with handhelds and significantly increase their take-home pay, and they'll be far more likely to be long-term employees.
Do you have sections far away from a POS terminal—like an outdoor patio, a trendy rooftop, or a private dining room? Because handhelds operate wirelessly through an in-house network, they always keep your servers connected to the POS system when taking orders or payments at remote tables. Your guests will feel the love, too, because their orders will go to the bar and kitchen at the same speed as the rest of your tables—instantly. And you can rest assured that handhelds can cover the distance no matter how big your restaurant gets.
When guests checkout through handhelds with digital payments, your restaurant can capture their name, email, and engagement information in your customer database. With that data, you can send them promotions or tell them about your upcoming holiday specials with built-in marketing and loyalty rewards tools that work smoothly with your handheld’s point-of-sale. This keeps your restaurant on the top of their minds and gives you a way to drive repeat visits and improve your profit margins.
Handhelds have the potential to create a better full-service restaurant experience for everyone—from your staff to your guests and your managers. And when you see that boost in revenue, you'll know they're well worth the upgrade.
Orders.co’s Handheld POS allows your staff to take orders and process payments directly at the table using smartphones or tablets, speeding up service and reducing errors.
Clover Flex is a portable, all-in-one device that supports payments, inventory management, and customer data collection. The built-in printer and scanner add to its versatility.
Small to medium-sized restaurants, cafés, and food trucks require a compact solution for front- and back-of-house operations.
Known for its simplicity, the Square Terminal offers an easy setup and an intuitive interface. It supports contactless payments, receipts, and built-in tipping. Smoothly integrates with Square’s broader ecosystem, including payroll and marketing tools.
It is ideal for quick setup and minimal training, making it perfect for small restaurants, coffee shops, and pop-ups with basic POS needs.
Toast Go is a handheld POS fully integrated with the Toast ecosystem, offering advanced features like real-time reporting, tableside ordering, and payment processing. It also supports menu management and loyalty programs.
Full-service restaurants and multi-location operations require robust reporting, customer engagement, and smooth device integration.
It is designed for high-volume restaurants and offers advanced features such as customizable menus, detailed inventory management, and sales analytics. Its offline mode ensures continuous operation during internet outages.
Large, complex restaurants or chains that need powerful management tools, detailed reporting, and inventory tracking across multiple locations.
Revel's tablet restaurant POS system offers restaurant, retail, and service management. This means hybrid businesses don't have to compromise regarding inventory management, types of product sales, and service listings. Revel also offers an open API (Application Programming Interface), which allows restaurant owners to build custom connections between Revel software and third-party software.
TouchBistro's unique hybrid online/offline mode allows you to take orders and payments on your tablets whether you have a stable internet connection. This positions TouchBistro as a uniquely perfect solution for restaurants with a mobile sales component, such as food trucks and catering ventures. TouchBistro also has a built-in reservations and waitlist system, which makes TouchBistro an all-in-one solution for sit-down restaurants that take a substantial number of waitlist patrons and reservations.
MYR (Master Your Rush) POS is explicitly built for quick-serve establishments and offers so much at an affordable price. The POS system provides single location and franchise management plans, with several add-ons designed to help quick-serve restaurants take drive-through orders, phone orders, orders from a mobile app, and a handheld iPad tablet.
Choosing the right handheld POS system for restaurants starts with understanding your needs. Evaluating your restaurant’s operational workflow will help you identify essential features to look for. Different types of service—whether full-service, quick-service, or café—will have varying needs that impact your choice of POS.
For instance, full-service restaurants may require features like tableside ordering, split bills, and tableside payments. Quick-service or cafés may prioritize speed and efficiency, focusing on rapid order-taking and simple payment processing. As you map out your workflow, identify key pain points, such as order accuracy, communication delays with the kitchen, or managing phone orders.
Consider the number of transactions your restaurant handles daily, especially during peak times. Choose a POS system designed to process high volumes quickly and efficiently, ensuring it won’t lag or fail during rush hours.
Evaluate how easy the POS system is and how much training your staff will need. Look for systems with a user-friendly interface to minimize onboarding time and help staff get up to speed quickly.
When choosing a handheld POS system, portability and durability are essential factors. The best mobile POS systems are lightweight for staff, allowing them to move quickly between tables or throughout the restaurant. At the same time, it must be robust enough to handle the physical demands of a busy restaurant environment, including drops or spills. A well-built POS can withstand these challenges while maintaining reliable performance.
Smooth integration with existing systems is critical for the best mobile POS systems in the market. Your POS system should work harmoniously with your current POS, inventory management, and online ordering platforms. For instance, Orders.co offers smooth integration with widely-used systems like Clover, Square, and others, allowing for a smooth workflow and preventing data silos.
In today’s diverse payment landscape, payment flexibility is a must-have feature. A good handheld POS system should support multiple payment methods, including contactless payments, mobile wallets (like Apple Pay or Google Pay), and traditional cards with chip or swipe. This flexibility improves the customer experience and helps reduce wait times by offering quick and secure payment options.
Another critical feature to assess is battery life and connectivity. The best mobile POS systems have enough battery power to last through an entire shift, ensuring uninterrupted service. Additionally, reliable connectivity—whether through Wi-Fi or cellular networks—ensures that the device can operate effectively in different restaurant areas without losing connection, preventing delays in processing orders or payments.
Security is a top priority when handling sensitive customer payment data. A dependable POS system must include data encryption and comply with payment industry standards, such as PCI DSS. These security features protect customer information, help prevent fraud, and ensure the payment process is safe and secure.
When evaluating the cost of a handheld POS system, the total cost of ownership must be considered. While initial setup costs may seem high, long-term savings can be achieved through reduced order errors, faster service, and increased efficiency. Be sure to factor in the cost of hardware, software, and any potential integration fees.
It’s also crucial to avoid overpaying for unnecessary features. Identify the capabilities that add value to your restaurant type, and steer clear of systems that include features you won’t use. Focus on selecting a POS system that addresses your immediate needs and offers room for expansion.
As your restaurant grows, your POS system should be able to scale with you. For this case, the best mobile POS system should have the potential for expansion, allowing you to add more devices, handle more transactions, and integrate additional locations without requiring a complete system overhaul.
A POS system is only as good as the support behind it. Vendor support during setup and ongoing maintenance ensures your system runs smoothly. Choose a provider that offers your staff robust customer support and training resources so they can make the most of the system’s features.
Lastly, assess the system’s reliability and uptime. A handheld POS is a critical part of your daily operations, so it needs to perform consistently during peak hours without frequent crashes or issues. Ensure the vendor has a strong track record for resolving issues quickly and minimizing downtime to keep your restaurant running smoothly.
The POS Exchange brings over 20 years of restaurant expertise, serving 200,000+ merchants and processing billions annually. Our tailored POS system solutions help businesses speed up checkouts by 30%, implement dynamic pricing, and manage customer reviews while reducing overhead. Perfect for full-service restaurants, pizza shops, coffee houses, and multi-location enterprises. We offer end-to-end service, from innovative consultation and interactive demos to local installation and 24/7 support.
Our mobile iPad POS systems streamline operations with features like order management, bill splitting, and inventory control. With integrations for business management tools and advanced security measures, we ensure your POS system grows with your business. Trust our expertise to help you avoid the common pitfall that affects 38% of new business owners who choose the wrong POS system. Whether managing a busy restaurant, a local café, or operating a multi-location business, The POS Exchange delivers customized POS system solutions that tell your unique business story. Book a free demo with POS exchange to learn about our customized POS system solutions today.
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