Tech advancements in POS payment systems are game changers

Consumer demand and market conditions have long been driving technology advances in all segments, and restaurants are no exception. Customers expect flexible payment methods. Business owners need real-time analytics to stay competitive. And the last few years have forced operators to embrace even more technologies like contactless transactions, curbside service and modern, cloud-based restaurant point of sale and payments solutions. 

A robust POS system provides operators with a secure way to accept any payment methods their customers prefer and in any dining scenario. Tap, insert or swipe—no matter what customers are packing in their wallet, the operation can be equipped to accommodate their preference. 

That payment preference may be contactless. A modern POS system allows them to pay with credit cards, debit cards and other payment sources they keep stored in digital wallets on their smartphone or smartwatch. The ability to use these options, along with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and digital gift cards, create a great experience for restaurant staff and customers, speeding up transactions and increasing security and convenience. 

Payment tech also allows you to forecast consumer needs, track demand and loyalty activity and get closer to diners and their preferences, capturing the information they share so you can meet and exceed their expectations by delivering a personalized experience.  
Cloud software lets you do this from anywhere. 

POS systems can gather helpful data to inform decisions 
By investing in a restaurant POS system that handles payment innovation, your restaurant reaps the rewards: turning more tables, gaining insights into restaurant sales activity and consumer preferences to help with forecasting, removing barriers for business growth, and making the dining-out transaction seamless and convenient for staff and customers. 

You can also use POS payments data for operations management, to determine when to schedule extra staff and when to cut back to avoid wasting money with a full team on slow nights. Data can inform operators of when the best time is to introduce a happy hour menu or late-night special, as well as identify menu leaders and other sales metrics. 

Streamlined payment processes streamline hardware, too 
In the past, payments were an add-on for POS systems, so your equipment may have been outfitted with a cumbersome magstripe reader or you may have had to add a terminal PIN pad to swipe cards. Today, hardware is much less intrusive and much more mobile, accepting payments in a variety of ways, and it looks sleek and clean in any restaurant. 

Find out more about today’s cutting-edge POS and payments systems, including how they interact with brand loyalty programs and back office functions to free up time and tasks for owners, staff and customers.