Restaurants and chains have been using electronic point-of-sale (EPoS) systems for a long time.

McDonald’s was an early adopter, ringing orders through an Intel 8008 microprocessor as far back as 1974. And while many pubs are still making do with traditional cash registers, there’s a lot to be said for going for an upgrade.

However, switching over is a fairly serious investment that, along with servicing and updates, runs well into four figures. Is it really worth stumping up the cash?

On the first ever Saturday night in our pub (The Cowper's Oak, Weston Underwood, Buckinghamshire) the till drawer stuck fast. We were counting cash out of plastic bags and adding up big rounds on calculators.

The cash register that had come with the pub was an old model and that stressful Saturday night was the last straw. Within two weeks, we’d bitten the bullet and bought an EPoS system.

Why bother?
So what are the benefits of such a system? A lot of customers see our new system as an excuse for not using our brains. Many must remember the days when a bartender would add up whole rounds in his head and ring them through a simple cash register — it was all part of their skill.

But times have changed, and while everyone pokes fun at us as we try to spot the button for ginger ale and mutter at the screen, a modern EPoS system does a lot more than efficiently record takings and dispense accurate change.

You’ll know the gross profit margin on everything you sell and be able to see at a glance what’s selling the most. Keeping an eye on revenue is a piece of cake and being able to understand your gross profit on a daily — or even more regular — basis will make accounting easier and give you more time to be a happy host!

You can also use the software to control stock, allow your staff to clock in and out and keep a record of who is selling what. There’s little doubt that EPoS can add a huge amount of value to your pub — especially for those serving food — and it may well pay for itself within a couple of years.

Selecting a system
Getting your system up and running is easy as pie. It’s choosing a system that’s the hard part. Deciding on a laptop or TV is simple, but EPoS systems aren’t consumer electronics. You won’t find unbiased online reviews or comparisons between models in Which? magazine, and you won’t be able to test them out in a store — it’s a far more complicated world than that.

EPoS systems are largely sold by suppliers who package the hardware and software together. The sales process can be incredibly frustrating. Usually, you’ll have to apply online for a quote before a sales-person will arrive to bamboozle you with the different options available.

Many systems are simply too complex for the needs of a traditional pub: the key is being clear about what your pub needs before you start negotiations.

Ask yourself whether you really need all the bells and whistles. Will you want to use a loyalty card system or require your staff to sign in with a biometric fingerprint reader? Will you want to provide automated promotions or offer different levels of access to your staff? Would hand-held electronic order pads just be too techy for your establishment?

You’ll be paying for every feature on your new EPoS system, so it’s not worth paying out for something you’ll never use. Trying to figure out the differences between systems is tricky, but don’t be afraid to ask the EPoS sales staff outright, and don’t forget to stick to your budget!

The benefits are numerous. Just ensure you know what you need before you commit to an all-singing, all-dancing new piece of kit!

HOW TO CHOOSE AN EPOS SYSTEM

WORK OUT WHAT YOU NEED
Eliminate early on the features that
definitely won’t be necessary for your business

DO YOUR RESEARCH Have a chat with
other publicans about the systems they use

SHOP AROUND
Get quotes and make appointments with
a few different
suppliers

ASK FOR ADVICE
Your pubco or
brewery might have deals with certain suppliers

SIZE UP THE SYSTEMS Ask the sales staff
to directly compare different models

SCRUTINISE THE DEAL Before committing, find out whether you’ll be tied in to a pricey, ongoing support fee