It was only about a decade ago that if you were dining at a restaurant and ready to pay with a credit card that the waiter would have to take your card and go to a stationary register to wait in line for coworkers to finish using it before processing the payment and coming back to the table with your receipt.
In today’s world of payment processing, all-in-one mobile POS devices have changed the game by providing greater efficiency and functionality to improve business operations and sales. We’ll discuss the top benefits of Mobile POS systems and the vast applications that make them so useful.
1. Mobile POS Functionality
One of the most obvious and biggest advantages of a mobile POS is the functionality and flexibility it provides. A mobile POS allows employees to be by the customer through the whole shopping or dinning experience.
With the customer experience being a crucial factor in purchasing decisions for 73% of buyers, it’s vital to find ways to enhance customer experiences.
Using a mobile POS allows workers to find answers on inventory right from the device, employees no longer need to run to the stationary POS or other system to check what’s in stock.
The inventory information is right at the fingertips of the workers hands, minimizing time spent going to the stationary POS and adding the additional value of better customer service.
On top of being able to take orders, process payments, and get inventory information, a mobile POS is also going to have real-time analytics and reporting. This data is usually synced from a cloud so it’s continuously updated live and allows management to make better data driven decisions when measuring the stores performance.
2. Greater Efficiency
Being able to assist customers faster results in more customers serviced, which in turn means more revenue and profit for your business. In the case of a restaurant, this is one of the many areas where a mobile POS can really make a big difference. The time saved for turning tables at a restaurant will vary but it’s safe to say that an average of 7-15 minutes is saved as a result of using a mobile POS at a restaurant.
Without using a mobile POS, restaurant servers often collect orders from multiple tables before going to a stationary terminal to input it. As a result, the first order taken is delayed in reaching the kitchen, which could create jam-ups in the kitchen during the busiest times. By using a mobile POS the order is sent to the bar or kitchen as soon as the server receives it, which results in quicker preparation and smoother operations in the kitchen.
Answers to questions are also answered much faster with a mobile POS, no more going to find someone with the answer, instead the answer is almost always available at the device. In the case of a restaurant, when someone asks about ingredients due to food allergies, the answers are already at their fingertips, saving time and improving service.
When items are out of stock or unavailable, a mobile POS eliminates the wasted time used checking with the kitchen or inventory by already having a maintained list right on the mobile POS.
With employees or servers being out on the floor more often rather than being in the back checking inventory or placing an order at a stationary POS, they are more approachable to order another item which also results in greater sales.
3. Quicker Checkout
Having to wait in line to pay or receive a check is one of the biggest annoyance’s customers have. With a mobile POS, workers can hand them the check right from the table or wherever they are in a store eliminating that wait time and improving customer service.
Another aspect that’s not often thought of when it comes to the improved service of having a Mobile POS system for restaurants is that the person taking the credit card does not have to leave the site of the customer, they can process right in front of them. The result is a greater piece-of-mind for the customers because they see what’s happening the entire time and don’t see a stranger leave their site with their credit card.
4. Obtaining Valuable Customer Data
Many POS systems also have customer relationship management systems built right in or in downloadable apps that can be installed. This allows for more personable communication with customers, knowing what they last ordered and what their preferences are come in handy when taking new orders, improving customer experiences, and being able to better communicate through email campaigns.
Knowing previous orders is exponentially useful when a customer orders the same thing every time, it’s a great experience for a customer to be able to just say “the usual” and employees already know what the customer wants just by looking at their profile on the mobile device. Having that data on hand establishes a great deal of customer loyalty and return business.
Gathering customer information also allows businesses to segment them into lists to better target them with specific communication for ongoing promotions and keep them coming back. It also allows a business to reach out for a survey or a review. Reviews and feedback are a crucial part of businesses and there’s no way to do it without being able to reach back out to happy customers.
Conclusion
POS systems are a must-have for small and large businesses and make it possible to run efficient streamlined operations, gather customer information, and increase profits. Mobile point-of-sale systems give associates the ability to connect with customers in new ways to grow sales and provide a better experience. Rebel Payments is trusted by thousands of merchants nationwide with innovative processing solutions to help businesses of all sizes grow and save more. With many of the top mobile POS devices to choose from, you’ll have best-in-class POS options available and 0% processing plans to take your business to the next level. Contact Rebel Payments today to get help choosing the right mobile POS and processing plan that works best for your business.
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