The Evolution of Restaurant POS Systems

Human beings are comfortable with familiarity. This is one of the reasons why so many restaurants and retail stores still haven’t upgraded to cloud based POS systems for restaurants and retail from the good old cash registers. Another concern for restaurateurs and retailers is that if they start using a digital solution, their customers won’t be able to enjoy the hospitality they are used to. 

However, according to research, customers have a redefined definition of hospitality. More than 70% of the restaurant-goers are of the opinion that technology improves their overall experience. The shift to online ordering and payment has revolutionized the restaurant industry. For any restaurant to be successful, real-time analytics are required and this is the reason why point of sales systems have become so popular. So, have you ever wondered how this technology evolved? What stages did it go through before it came here? Let’s delve a little into the history of POS: 

First Modern POS System: 

IBM first introduced the modern POS system. The system had a mainframe that was responsible for processing and displaying terminals that were connected to the system. Limited functions could be performed on the machine but it was truly revolutionary technology for that time. This machine was made available in the 70s but it wasn’t till the 90s when restaurants actually started using it. This was the time when computers had started to become a household name. 

Slowly and gradually businesses started learning the advantages of automation that computers provided. With the passage of time, POS have become more capable and attractive. No longer do businesses need to purchase separate systems for inventory handling, sales management, etc. Everything can be present in one now!

Point of Sales Systems Gaining Popularity: 

With time, the POS systems got equipped with more and more functions as software developers tried to make their system better than their competitors. Features like loyalty programs, timestamp, customer management, discount creation, social media management and much more got added. By the early 2000s, Point of Sales systems became necessary for restaurants. However, even with all these features in one system, POS systems were still very expensive for SMEs and thus, not present everywhere.

Cloud-Based Systems: 

The next development was the shift to the cloud. Cloud computing has changed the POS forever. No longer were big, bulky systems required or local installations of POS needed. The software could now be accessed online by any device that had access to the internet. So, smartphones, laptops, tablets and PC, all could become POS systems. 

Tablets were quick to become the hardware of choice for many restaurants and retail shops. The reason for their popularity could be accounted to their sleek design, portability and cost-effectiveness. SMEs could easily afford it and not have to waste thousands of dollars on any POS system equipment. 

Handheld POS Systems: 

Handheld POS systems are the hot topic these days. These systems could be used anywhere and improve guest touchpoints, using a continual service model. So, the staff can roam around the restaurant, take orders from where they like and send it directly to the kitchen. No to and fro movement from dining to the kitchen is required anymore. Handheld POS has proven to increase revenue and customer satisfaction and thus, it’s a huge hit in the restaurant industry!