Why hospitality businesses are switching to Cloud PoS systems

Like when you decide to switch banks, the benefits of changing your PoS system have got to make it worth the effort. So, what’s driving so many hospitality businesses to decide to make the switch from their legacy PoS systems to a Cloud based one? Cloud systems offer easy scalability, are accessible anytime from anywhere, and are often cheaper to install and run than traditional PoS systems.

For a breakdown of exactly what you’ll get from a traditional PoS system versus a Cloud based system, check out our handy comparison tool.

But which out of all of these features and functionalities actually makes a real impact on your business? Here are some of the key benefits that hospitality businesses noticed after opting for a cloud system:

Access to real-time data - anywhere, anytime

One of the most useful tools of a Cloud PoS system is that it gives you access to real-time data anywhere, anytime! And, in easy-to-read reports.

“Cloud based data makes it easy to check how your business is going while you’re on the go.”
- Kim, Leeds Street Cafe

From your smartphone or laptop, you can log on and check in on your business from home, on holiday, or while you’re in a meeting with your supplier. Having instant access to all your sales and stock reporting, means you can make those important decisions off-site, using reliable real-time data.

Remote access also means you can edit items, recipes and add specials without needing to go on site.

Spend less time in the back office

Another perk of a Cloud based PoS system is that everything talks to each other - so what you used to have to do manually, you can now do with the press of a button!

“We love everything about the [Bustle] system. Easy, fast and efficient - just what we need! It's been very easy to train the staff too. Our accountant is the happiest with the management site Linked to Xero. Just one regret: we didn’t do it before!”
- Kate, Unwind Cafe

Instead of printing off reports and entering data into spreadsheets, cash ups can be done directly from your till. Count your money, press a button, and watch it get sent away with the rest of your reporting. With one more press of a button, it’ll send straight to your accounting system (because let’s be real... we’ve spent enough time locked down to have to spend more time alone in the office).

Making an impression with your menu

The dashboard reports and graphs in many Cloud-based PoS systems help you to easily understand your customers’ dining preferences and identify your top-performing items.

Knowing this, operators can plan and design their menus in a way that heroes these dishes - and helps to confidently create and run specials.

Hot Tip: The first and last position on a menu is prime menu real estate. Make sure you regularly place your top-performing dishes in these sweet spots and draw the eye to them using headers and other visual elements.

Spot peaks, troughs and trends

With local lockdowns, the traditional trading model has gone out of the window. As a result, many businesses have seen shifts in their traditional peak and slow seasons.

Those with Cloud PoS systems can make the most of their dashboard reports to make quick, fact-based decisions before or during a service. They were also using these reports to help forecast sales, plan rosters and to help make decisions when ordering stock.

“We are altering our trading hours based on info that [Bustle] gives us. We LOVE the new Dashboard!”
- Denis Callesen - The Rusty Tractor

Faster table turn times

Cloud PoS systems are compatible with easy-to-use wireless devices such as iPads, meaning servers can take orders at the table and send them straight to the kitchen.  Businesses operating like this saw their efficiency improve - with fewer order errors, reduced wait time, and servers got to spend more time at the tables interacting with their customers.

“[Bustle] is the face of new generation cafes/coffee shops. I cannot see how we can operate efficiently and seamlessly as a business without it. “
- Frank Hsu - Franks Coffee

Low monthly payments with everything included

A huge draw for businesses is value for money! Whenever new features are added, or improvements and updates to the software are made to cloud systems, you get instant access with no hefty new licence fees (or calls from Sales reps trying to upgrade your package). Everything is already included in your monthly cost.

“It was a lot more affordable and flexible with [Bustle] than buying all equipment and software upfront - that costs an arm and a leg!”
- Sarah Chen - Arena Cafe

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