Point-of-sale systems have undergone numerous evolutionary changes throughout the years but have always been the most important solution in any brand’s tech stack. These heavily-relied-upon technologies have not always been what they are today, starting out as legacy/traditional systems, primarily used for taking orders and accepting payments. However, as digital experiences have grown in popularity and increased the need for management solutions and online ordering platforms, brand operators have found that their POS systems have created more challenges than they have solved. More specifically, brands utilizing legacy POS systems now experience roadblocks to easily integrate with other solutions, scale at a rapid pace, and have the necessary security and support to create a stable environment for their brand.
With growing customer expectations and the need for additional system integrations, it was time for the POS system itself to adapt to the ever-changing world of technology and customer demand. And with ongoing needs for improvements to point-of-sale systems came the addition of the cloud, which has changed the game for good.
What is the Cloud and Why is it Important?
In other words, the cloud is the internet, and it has revolutionized the point-of-sale. Throughout the years, these systems have grown in popularity as 61% of QSR and fast casual restaurants utilize a cloud-based POS system during operations. Cloud-based POS systems are a combination of point-of-sale software and point-of-sale hardware, allowing operators to have transactions processed anywhere with an internet connection. These systems are so desired because a brand’s entire database, including transactions, inventory, and customer data is stored in one location, accessible anytime and anywhere with an internet connection. So many brands are leveraging cloud-based systems for their ability to save brands valuable time, create enhanced customer relationships, and help maintain a consistent experience across multiple locations.
Let’s take a deeper dive into some of the many exceptional benefits of cloud-based POS systems:
Create a Tailored Tech Stack that Scales with Your Brand
When seeking the perfect point-of-sale system to implement into operations, scalability is one of, if not the most crucial features/benefits brands must ensure the system can perform. Scalability means the system as well as the solutions integrated with the system can seamlessly be implemented into new or existing locations without any special configurations. And cloud-based POS systems, like Brink POS, are designed to do just that with open APIs and flourishing integration ecosystems. Cloud-based solutions empower operators to own their own tech stack and provide them with the flexibility to innovate through quick integrations with new solutions, ensuring they are always prepared for the future.
These systems, as well as the solutions integrated with them, like management platforms, loyalty programs, and kitchen display systems, among many others, are built to scale with a brand as it grows. And when a brand has plans to add new services and solutions to its tech stack, like delivery services and more payment methods, the functionality can be added within minutes. Moreover, system-wide updates, upgrades, and repairs do not always require on-site technicians and can be done quickly, at scale, to help minimize downtimes.
On the other hand, with a legacy system, updates, upgrades, and repairs as well as terminal programming must be done on-site which can take weeks or even months to get terminals up and running.
Configure Solutions and Reports, Accessible Anytime and Anywhere
Another fantastic benefit cloud-based point-of-sale systems provide brands that legacy terminals cannot is configurability and control over integrated solutions. Cloud-based POS systems act as the central hub of any brand’s tech stack as most solutions are integrated into it. This empowers operators to tailor and configure these solutions to fit perfectly into operations and maintain a seamless experience across all systems and locations. Moreover, with a cloud-based POS system, brands can configure reports highlighting the areas of operations that matter the most as well as schedule and publish updates to menus, prices, layouts, and more to one, several, or all locations. Additionally, brands can receive comprehensive and real-time configured reports covering one, multiple, or all service locations, accessible anytime and anywhere with an internet connection.
Provides Ultimate Security to Protect Crucial Data
When it comes to security, it is crucial for brands to ensure their customer data does not fall into the wrong hands. And the cloud has added an extra layer of security to protect this data, ultimately removing the need for an on-site server, which was once necessary with legacy terminals. Not only does storing customer data through the cloud (online) allow operators to store unlimited quantities of it but it also provides them with optimal security against cyber security threats, like data breaches, as this information is uploaded as encrypted. To emphasize how important security is, cloud-based POS vendors are constantly tracking security threats and taking the ultimate measure to prevent them.
To ensure data is never lost, cloud-based POS systems follow a store and forward strategy that allows brands to continue to process and store transactional data online in the event of a power or internet outage.
Point-of-sale systems have always been the central solution to any brand’s tech stack, but advancements in cloud technology have made them more powerful than ever imagined. With enhancements to features like scalability, configurability, accessibility, and security, it comes as no surprise that these are the most desired solutions any brand can leverage.
Interested in learning more about the cloud-based POS software and hardware powering some of the largest restaurant brands? Check out PAR Brink POS or request a demo today!
