Running a successful restaurant used to be about the basics: good location, good food, good service. These days, there's another important consideration: the restaurant software you use to run your POS system.

Even though physical components like the monitors and computers are the most visible, the software is the heart of the POS system. Doing a careful evaluation of restaurant software is key to getting a system that will satisfy both employees and customers.

What to look for in restaurant software
First, it's important to know what exactly you need the software to do. Any reasonable restaurant software can handle checks by diner or table, track orders per server, move diners from the bar to a table, manage waiting lists and reservations, and more.

Once you're satisfied that a particular piece of restaurant software meets your basic requirements, try it yourself to see how easy it is to use. While there will always be a learning curve for your staff when you adopt a new POS system, choosing restaurant software that's easy to use can reduce the learning curve to manageable levels.

You may learn more about ease of use by having one or two of your servers involved in the evaluation. They'll be able to try out the kinds of oddball situations and changes that can cause problems with some software.

• Security – each employee should have their own user account. You should be able to limit access to sensitive reports and functions (such as comping meals) to managers, if desired.
• Flexibility – servers should be able to manipulate checks to match the whims of your patrons: easily splitting checks and tracking special orders, for example.
• Reporting – one the main advantages of restaurant software for owners and managers is the detailed reporting available. Make sure the software you choose lets you get detailed information either per check, per server, or overall, ranging from daily to annually.
• Multiple location support – if applicable, make sure the system is capable of tracking and reporting on multiple locations, including local differences in staffing and pricing.

Don't neglect hardware
Of course you'll need to invest in hardware as well: computers to run the restaurant software on, touch-screen displays for servers to enter order, and printers to produce order slips for the kitchen. The software you choose will dictate any special hardware requirements – the biggest hardware decision you'll have to make is how many stations you need.

Ready to start contacting restaurant software vendors? Try BuyerZone's free request for restaurant POS system price quotes to connect with qualified suppliers.

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