All You Need to Know About Modern EPOS Systems

What is an Electronic Point-of-Sale or EPOS System

An EPOS or a point of sale system is a combination of hardware and software helps businesses manage sales, inventory, and improve customer service.

The EPOS system from 3S POS can improve operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. The system caters to fine dining, quick service restaurants, small business, and franchises.

3S POS has transformed hospitality businesses by revolutionising transactions, operations, inventory management, and data analysis. These systems support flexible payment processing, improving business operations and customer satisfaction.

EPOS System Hardware

1. EPOS Terminal

Importance: The key use of any EPOS system for restaurants is processing sales, managing customer data, and generating reports.
Options: You can choose between a fixed terminal and portable tablets with 3S POS. We cater to the needs of all types of businesses.

2. Touch Screen Displays

Importance: It's crucial for a quick-service EPOS system have user-friendly interface for fast transaction processing.
Options: Compact 10-inch screens for small spaces to larger 17-inch displays for detailed order management.

4. Printers

Dot Matrix Printers

Importance: For any restaurant kitchen hardware, durability and resistance to high temperatures are necessary. These kitchen printers print multiple copies of orders simultaneously and printing in colour to easily identify different orders.

Label Printers

Importance: Crucial for businesses that require quick and efficient labelling solutions, such as food delivery and takeaway services. Label printers can print durable adhesive labels to withstand various conditions in a restaurant kitchen. It makes them perfect for labelling and identifying contents in food containers.
Use Case: Great for labelling food containers for takeout and delivery, with information about contents, allergens, and customer info. These printers can also print barcodes and QR codes for order tracking and inventory management.

Thermal Receipt Printers

Importance: A must-have for any business size or type to print quickly print receipts and reports.
Options: Different options based on high-speed and connectivity are suitable for small businesses and multi-branch EPOS systems.

5. Cash Drawers

Importance: Cash drawers are crucial for businesses to handle money securely. They are essential part of the EPOS systems by 3S POS, whether for one store or a franchise.
Options: Various sizes and lock mechanisms to fit different operational scales.

6. Barcode Scanners

Importance: Streamline the checkout process and inventory management. Barcode scanners are essential for retail settings and quick-service restaurants.
Options: Handheld, stationary, or mobile scanners, fitting various business models.

7. Customer Displays

Importance: Improve transparency and customer trust by showing transaction details, beneficial for EPOS systems across all business types.
Options: Basic two-line displays to larger screens for promotional displays.

8. Card Readers

Importance: Card readers are crucial for modern EPOS systems. It helps you keep with modern customer preferences in various industries.
Options: Support for magnetic stripe, chip and PIN, and contactless payments.

9. Self-Service Kiosks (SSK)

Importance: Empower customers with self-service options, reducing wait times in quick-service EPOS systems and modern restaurant setups. Reduce staff cost and increase average transaction value (ATV).
Options: Wall mount to freestanding units with varying screen sizes.

10. Kitchen Display Systems (KDS)

Importance: Streamline kitchen operations in restaurants, crucial for ensuring efficient food preparation and order accuracy.
Options: Different options for screens sizes to match kitchen workflow.

11. Order Status/Ready Screens

Importance: Let customers track their order status in real-time. The order ready screen valuable addition quick-service and takeaway restaurants.
Options: LED to LCD monitors integrated with the EPOS system for better customer experience.

12. Fingerprint Readers for Biometric Login

Importance: Enhance security and streamline operations, essential for preventing unauthorized access in any EPOS system.
Options: From standalone devices to integrated solutions, adding a layer of security and efficiency.

Advantages of Using an EPOS System

3S POS EPOS systems simplify and speed up checkout in quick-service restaurants, improving customer experiences and boosting efficiency. Additionally, by using advanced automation to streamline inventory and order processing, the system boosts overall efficiency.

A POS system can also improve customer experience by allowing multiple payment options to meet customer preferences. Furthermore, you can create customer-friendly discounts and loyalty programs with based on advanced sales reporting. This can help attract repeat business through tailored promotions.

Enhanced Inventory and Financial Management with Intelligent Forecasting

Modern EPOS systems from 3S POS offer inventory management with intelligent stock ordering and forecasting for precision. By analysing sales trend report and customer behaviour, you can make well-informed decision about the inventory you need.

This smart approach to inventory management, combined with detailed sales reports and analytics, allows strategic planning and financial efficiency.

Modern POS Systems vs. Old Cash Registers

Old cash registers offer basic functionality for sales recording and cash storage. In contrast, modern POS systems for restaurants by 3S POS, offer comprehensive management features. These include inventory and customer details tracking, support for various payment methods, and real-time business insights.

Modern cloud-based EPOS systems also offer mobility, flexibility, and enhanced security for restaurant businesses. They protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with industry standards, a crucial aspect for these businesses.

Moreover, EPOS systems for restaurants seamlessly integrate with business applications, providing real-time insights. This proves especially useful in fast-paced restaurant and quick-service environments, thereby improving operational efficiency and decision-making.

Different Types of EPOS Systems

3S POS offers caters to varied operational needs. Our EPOS solutions are proprietary, cloud-based, web-based, and software agnostic.

Each type offers unique advantages for different restaurant types, providing a tailor-made solution. Restaurants can benefit from remote access, real-time data syncing and lower upfront costs for cloud-based systems. Whereas, a web-based system offers ease of use and eliminate heavy software installation.

Expanded Modern EPOS System Modules

3S POS offers a comprehensive platform with range of modules designed to optimise every aspect of restaurant operations. The systems extend well beyond basic transaction processing and include inventory management, customer relationship management (CRM), financial reporting, employee management, and analytics.

Here’s a closer look at the innovative modules that modern EPOS systems can include:

Kitchen Management System: Improves order accuracy, reduce wait times and communication between the front of the house and kitchen
Direct Integration with Aggregators: Facilitates easy management of online orders by enabling seamless connections with food delivery platforms and aggregators.
Self-Service Kiosk: Empowers customers to place their orders through interactive kiosks, optimising staff allocation and efficiency.
Loyalty App: Engages customers through a branded mobile application offering loyalty rewards and tailored marketing campaigns.
Online Order and QR Code Table Ordering: Enhances customer convenience by allowing contactless ordering directly from smartphones.

Adding specific modules can help you adopt industry trends, meet customer expectations, and grow in a competitive market.

Choosing the Right Technology for Your Business

Integrated POS Modules vs. Specialised Software Solutions

Deciding between integrated POS system modules or specialised software for stock management, HR (Human Resources), and CRM (Customer Relationship Management) involves considering several factors. These include your business size, complexity, specific needs, and budget.

3S POS solution offers both integrated EPOS systems and the flexibility to incorporate specialised software based on your need.

Advantages of Integrated Solutions:

Unified Operations: An integrated solution from 3S POS ensures that sales, inventory, HR, and CRM functions are synced. It simplifies data management and provides a unified view of business operations.
Cost-Effectiveness: An integrated EPOS system can be more cost-effective than purchasing separate specialised software. It is particularly beneficial for small to medium-sized businesses.
Ease of Use: An integrated system makes training and operations easier with all features are accessed through single interface.
Real-Time Insights: Integrated systems offer real-time data across all functions, allowing you to make data-driven decisions.

Challenges with Integrated Solutions:

Feature Depth: While it offers convenience, integrated modules also lack in-depth features available in specialised software. This can potentially limit functionality for businesses with complex requirements.
Scalability Concerns: As businesses grow, integrated modules may not scale as much as specialised softwares designed for larger operations.

Advantages of Specialised Softwares:

Advanced Features: Specialised softwares often includes advanced features tailored to specific operational needs, offering flexibility and efficiency that integrated systems might lack.
Scalability: Designed to scale with your business, specialised solutions are ideal for growing operations that require robust functionality.
Customisation: More options to customise for unique business needs, offering a tailored approach that POS systems may not offer.

Challenges of Specialised Softwares:

Higher Costs: Using specialised softwares like CRM software or stock management software, can be more expensive than using integrated POS modules.
Operational Complexity: Managing different systems for various aspects of your business can introduce complexity and need for extensive training.
Data Silos: Separate systems can lead to fragmented data, making it challenging to have an overview of your operations.

Choosing the right EPOS provider

Assess Your Needs: Carefully consider the specific requirements of your business. If advanced functionalities for stock level management, HR, or CRM are critical, specialised software may be the right choice. However, the 3S POS system can adapt to different needs by combining benefits of integrated and specialised softwares.
Budget Considerations: Integrated POS systems may be a cheaper solution for smaller operations, but 3S POS delivers a cost-effective solution without sacrificing functionality. The system combines the advantages of an integrated approach with the depth of specialised software, all within your budget.
Growth Planning: Consider how your business is expected to grow. Specialised software might provide a better foundation for scaling up. Yet, the 3S POS system is inherently scalable, allowing you to growth without the need for frequent system upgrades. The complete set of features allow business to grow by meeting their current and future needs.
Integration Capabilities: Evaluate how easily the system can integrate with existing and future technologies for seamless operations. The 3S POS system offers superior integration capabilities that allow businesses to leverage the best technologies available. It smoothly integrates with various systems, allowing your business to adapt to new technologies and market demands without issues.

By choosing 3S POS, you get the best of both worlds - a combination of specialised softwares and integrated modules.

Pricing Models for EPOS Systems

EPOS system costs can significantly differ based on specific requirements of restaurants and the business type.

Cheap EPOS Systems

Some EPOS providers offer payment options that to reduce initial expenses. The pricing model offers includes low upfront, no monthly subscriptions, and charges higher transaction fees. Small businesses often find this pricing model attractive because of low startup cost and less financial risk.

However, this payment structure could lead to substantially higher costs for operations with increasing sales volumes. This model may not be suitable for businesses with higher turnover. Despite providing initial financial relief, the accumulating transaction fees become hefty over time

Subscription-based EPOS System

Traditional EPOS pricing models include flat-rate upfront payments and ongoing subscription fees for the EPOS software. These subscriptions include updates, support, and access to advanced features, ensuring the EPOS system evolves alongside the business.

It also includes additional expenses like transaction fees, maintenance services, and integration of extra functionalities. These costs are variable, keeping in mind the diverse operational needs across the hospitality sector.

EPOS Systems for Franchise Operations

3S POS specialises in EPOS systems designed for the complex needs of franchise operations. The system includes features like franchise-specific reporting, centralised inventory and promotion management, and tailored operations for individual franchisees.

3S POS solutions ideal for franchises looking to expand while maintaining operational uniformity and efficiency. The system ensures brand consistency across all locations while allowing flexibility to meet local market needs.

3S POS provides a tailored solution for all hospitality and retail businesses to meet customer expectations, operate efficiently and grow their business.

For almost 20 years, 3S POS has offered one of the most flexible EPOS systems to international brands such as Caffe Concerto, Maroush, Comptoir Libanais, Pepe’s Piri Piri, GDK and thousands more delighted customers.

If you are looking for a EPOS system that will not just help you accept payments but grow your business and bring repeat business, speak to our sales for a free demo.