Modern Order and Inventory Systems Are Key to Capital
It's
a busy night, and the bar is packed. The server must get her orders to
the bar, but continually she has a crowd of people to wade through.
A bartender’s friends are sitting at the bar having a few rounds on
him. Another bartender is new and doesn’t know the recipes for all of
the specialty drinks.
These all are scenarios that can affect your business and — most
importantly — your bank statement. However, with advancements in modern
POS systems, you have the opportunity not only to prevent such
scenarios from happening, but also to increase profits dramatically.
The Newer, Wireless Way
One key technological advancement in the POS industry is the handheld
wireless terminal, which brings the terminal to the customer’s table.
These little wireless wizards reduce the chance of error in taking a
customer’s order, reduce the amount of labor involved in running the
order and reduce the time it takes to fulfill a customer’s order, all
giving you the opportunity to improve
numbers in revenue.
“It’s amazing how much you can increase revenue just by changing the
pattern of the cocktailer,” says Andre Nataf, accounts manager for
Digital Dining. “Instead of wasting all that time running drinks, the
cocktailer can take care of the customer. They never even have to leave
the customer’s side.”
These little devices take the customer’s order and send them to the bar
via a wireless connection. Many systems come with a few bells and
whistles, such as handwriting recognition; card readers, allowing the
server to take the customer’s payment right there at the customer’s
side; and full menus that allow the server to look up any drink recipe,
pinpoint which liquor brand, and even upsell the customer to a
top-shelf liquor.
“This technology is really groundbreaking,” Chris Wright, director of marketing for ASI, says.
Increasing Efficiency
Gary Cocolin, owner of Wild Cards Sports Grille & Bar in Erie, Pa.,
can attest to the benefits of installing a wireless handheld system. He
installed 17 handhelds last March and had immediate success with his
system, he says.
“The order goes in immediately as you take the drink orders. It just
makes it a lot easier on your kitchen, your servers — everything is
just much more efficient,” Cocolin says. “It frees up the time of the
server to really take care of your guest.”
These advanced systems are linked to the back office and can help you
keep track of your inventory, another key to ensuring your profits are
at their max.
“If you’re not controlling your inventory and keeping track of it,
you’re not making as much money as you could,” says Dave Grimm,
communications director for Accubar.
With a computerized system, labor savings, staff accountability and the
opportunity for perpetual inventory makes you wonder where you’ve been
without it.
Inventory control now can be as easy as an employee scanning a bottle,
prompting a picture to pop up on the scanner’s screen so the employee
can touch to indicate the level of the amount of liquor left in the
bottle.
With such a snappy system, the amount of time it takes to do weekly
inventory is reduced dramatically, freeing up the employees to focus
their energies on other things, and freeing up your pocketbook to spend
on other things rather than labor costs.
This also eliminates the mistakes that go with manual entry of
inventory. Such accuracy also keeps track of any overpouring by your
bartenders.
“It’s all about staff accountability. It puts checks and balances on that,” Grimm says.
One example of the effectiveness of these hi-tech systems is Three
Headed Productions, a Chicago-based parent company of six
national bars. Its POS additions aim to get rid of stale inventory and
make money on product that was just taking up space.
“It helped highlight how much product had just been sitting there for a
long time, and we were
able to special it out,” says
employee Kim Bosse. “We were able to streamline our inventory.”
Choose Wisely
In the same vein as keeping your finger on your bartenders, other POS
software companies have come up with real-time alert systems that can
be connected directly to your cell phone or e-mail and alert you when
an employee has surpassed the allowed amount of voided transactions or
discounts.
These same systems allow you to pull up any report necessary, at any
time, and from anywhere in the world via the Internet.
Many programs come with additional accessories that include loyalty
programs, gift cards, the option to attach a customer’s name to his
bill and automatic price changes for promotions such as Happy Hour.
Lunar Rogue Pub Owner Frank Scott installed a system by POSERA that
tracks his inventory and includes a customer loyalty program and a
payroll system that allows him to
track labor costs
put against sales.
“It’s a very powerful tool,” Scott says. To him, it’s all about
fostering repeat business. “You’re always looking for people to come
back.” NCB
