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white paper 9 reasons

why your bar of cafĂŠ needs a mobile cash

20 18

Table of Contents Introduction ��

01. Lower infrastructure costs > �� 4 02. More efficiency, fewer disruptions > �� 5 03. Faster ordering and payments > �� 6 04. Updating menus > �� 7 05. Business expansion > �� 8 06. Providing the best possible service > �� 9 07. Effective floor plan management > �� 10 08. K eeping track > �� 11 09. Getting started > �� 12 Conclusion �� 13 About Lightspeed �� 14

I NTRODU CTI ON

In 2015, the National Restaurant Association said mobile technology was the most popular trend of 2015, with 29% of respondents indicating that they would use tablet computers in their restaurants. Similarly, Restaurant Business Online called data one of the most important trends of 2018, and directly links with mobile cloudbased technology. With a cloud-based ePOS system, hospitality entrepreneurs have real-time data everywhere and at all times. Despite the hype around mobile ordering, the value of this technology remains underestimated. People often associate mobile ePOS with iPads which enables them to order at the table, but a mobile cash register system is much more than just an order tool. The main advantage is the way in which the system uses the cloud. Thanks to the cloud, everything is processed and stored on the internet instead of via a computer or server. What is so special about the cloud? With a cloud-based cash register system, you can enjoy real mobility. Managers and staff do everything on mobile devices, from menu and workflow settings, descriptions and reservations, to order picking, order dispatches, and floor management. And everything is also done in real time which provides better insight into the operational success of the business whilst increasing efficiency. With so many more advantages to a cloud-based mobile cash register system, here are 9 main benefits.

01 Lower infrastructure costs

Any breakdowns or maintenance of ten means that you have to order replacement par ts or have an IT exper t come in, which usually takes longer and is more expensive. With a cloudbased mobile restaurant cash register system, all you have to do is replace an iPad or iPhone. The sof tware can be installed on ever y device and you also get 24/7 access to suppor t.

Cloud-based mobile ePOS systems are not a drain on your budget. What you f ind is that star t-up costs are considerably lower for mobile ePOS systems - you do not have to purchase expensive computers, workstations or ser vers. You have only mobile devices such as iPads or iPhones, an internet connection and a subscription to a cloud-based provider of a mobile restaurant ePOS system, such as Lightspeed Restaurant. Expensive updates are quickly becoming a thing of the past. You always have access to the most up-todate version of the sof tware, which is of ten included in the monthly package from your cash register provider.

02 More efficiency, fewer disruptions

A mobile terminal such as an iPad means more space on your desk, bar or counter. The only thing that takes up space is printers, payment equipment and WiFi routers, which are of ten hidden in the back of house. Your staf f can easily navigate around your business with mobile equipment (iPad mini, iPhone, iPod touch), enabling them to take orders at the table and send them directly to the kitchen or bar. Waiters enter the orders directly on the mobile device, wherever they are in the business. Frank van Meegen, owner of bar-café De Zoes, works with several iPads to manage the case optimally: “We have an iPad in a plastic holder; it is on the bar with cash drawer. In addition, we work with mini-iPads that we use as handhelds: a f ixed one for orders and one for the terrace“ A good cloud-based mobile ePOS system ensures a back-up in the event of a malfunction of the internet or wi-f i. These are usually emergency routers or of f line solutions that allow you to continue working if the internet is down. As a result, you get less distor tions, better operation and increased reliability.

03 Faster ordering and payments

Orders sent via cloud-based checkout systems appear in the kitchen or bar in milliseconds. If you manage queues at peak times in your bar or cafĂŠ, such a system can save you valuable time which translates to sales and improved customer satisfaction.

Depending on the countr y and local payment processing, payments can be accepted via any device â€” in cash or with a debit or credit card. A cloud-based mobile ePOS system of fers the option to email the account to customers, or to print it.

04 Updating menus It is impor tant for ever y catering business to respond to the needs and demands of their consumers. In the same manner, bars and cafĂŠs can easily adjust their menus based on what the consumer is looking for. JP Haddad, owner of Maison Cloakroom who uses the mobile Lightspeed Restaurant ePOS system says: â€œI love creating new experiences for people and I think that Lightspeed will def initely be a major factor in helping me do that.â€? With the cloud-based mobile ePOS system, you can adjust menus from the back of f ice in no time. Managers can adjust the settings via the web, such as menus, customer prof iles, and reser vations. With the correct log-in data and an internet connection, you can change data any time and anywhere - if you work from home, are on the road, during visits from suppliers or abroad.

05 Business expansion

Ever y bar manager who wants to organise special events, open a cocktail bar on wheels, or star t a completely new concept, f inding a cloud-based mobile checkout system could the key to success. But it doesnâ€™t have to cost too much either; you simply need an iPhone or iPad with internet connection and you can begin taking orders. And because the system does not depend on hardware, you can expand just as quickly as you want. The right sof tware also of fers the possibility to work for a cer tain amount of time without an internet connection, so you are not always dependent on wif i.

With a good cloud-based mobile checkout system, you can quickly integrate online reser vation systems, accounting packages and other ser vices as and when you need them.

06 Providing the best possible service

For customers with allergies, it is impor tant for them to know where and how their drinks are prepared. With a mobile system, you can inform them immediately. Add detail information to menus easily including information about suppliers, such as the source of the best-selling drink.

As with many cloud-based mobile ePOS systems, you can create customer prof iles, equipped with bar-tabs and order histor y. Members of staf f can thus of fer your repeat customers â€œthe usual â€?, even if they are only recently employed. This promotes customer loyalty and customer satisfaction through a more memorable experience.

With some cloud-based checkout systems you can turn on notif ications that appear when a customer places an order, for up-sell oppor tunities such as accompanying snacks and modif iers.

Display your great-looking cocktails, you should def initely show them to the customer. With a cloud-based mobile ePOS system, you can showcase images of your drinks and other items on an iPad. This way you help your customers make the right choice.

07 Effective floor plan management

Four people sitting at a table, but suddenly four more people join in. With a cloudbased mobile checkout system you can move the tables quickly and easily on the iPad. This way the staf f is immediately aware of changes.

As Chef Stefano Venturi Shutterbug mentions:

“The whole layout is really cool and easy to understand, from orders to payment.” Your vir tual plan on the cash register system corresponds to the existing f loor plan, allowing you to make your own f loor plan and can personalise it according to your wishes. Easily adapt the f loor plan to dif ferent situations, such as during the summer season. Avoid operating errors by informing your employees and new staf f quickly about changes in the lay-out.

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08 Keeping track

With a cloud-based mobile cash register system, you can keep an eye on your business, from anywhere in the world. Simply create repor ts, check the inventor y or view sales per day and per hour via your mobile device.

In bars or cafés, you can of ten f ind various types of beverages being of fered: cocktails, beer, wine, lattés — you name it. Each variant is made from dif ferent ingredients, so ever y thing needs to be categorised. For example, to make a daiquiri, you need white rum, lime juice and syrup. In a mobile system such as Lightspeed, you can give each categor y a dif ferent colour, enabling your staf f access to an over view of ingredients from the manu and allows them to work faster.

With a cloud-based mobile ePOS system you can create user accounts for each individual employee. Accounts have f lexible security settings; you determine which employees have access to the cash drawers, for example, or have permission to distribute discounts, change the f loor plan or view f inancial repor ts. Not all staf f, for example par t-time employees, need access to all data.

09 Getting started

A cloud-based mobile ePOS system can installed ver y quickly. You work via an iPad app that can be adapted from the back of f ice (your laptop) to your bar or cafĂŠ. Set up printers, restaurant information, f loor plans, workf lows and menu information in the system and you are ready to get star ted.

As with any system, a good restaurant ePOS system provides technical assistance and a strong network of local par tners to help with the installation. Within one day you get full training to get star ted and you of ten get 24/7 access to suppor t.

Conclusion

The last thing you want to have to worry about in the company is technology. A state-of-the-art, cloud-based mobile restaurant cash register system alleviates operational work and entrusts it to people who are best suited to do this: IT staff who manage servers and software updates externally. A cloud-based mobile ePOS system ensures that you do not spend more money than necessary, while you can focus on what really matters.

About Lightspeed At Lightspeed we build end-to-end business solutions that restaurateurs can use to set up, manage and develop their businesses. Lightspeed Restaurant is an all-in-one point of sale, table management and analysis platform for catering companies. With the right technology, restaurants can better serve their customers and make the world a bit tastier. Supernovaâ€™s futuristic allure & facilities will be the home of Lightspeed Connect 2018 and is situated in the centre of Holland, an ideal location to share the innovative ideals of retailâ€™s finest.

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