What is so interesting to me is how broadly Maitre'D POS software features impact a restaurant’s operation. That’s primarily because of the way we’ve integrated all of our functionalities with each other, with third-party equipment, and with solution partners. Something that seems so much a point solution—that works within a specific part of the operation—has what I like to call Ripple Value: the benefits spread across the enterprise. One example is our CVM kitchen video monitor system. Although its primary purpose is to streamline kitchen operations, it positively impacts inventory, portioning, expediting, service levels and more.
The example I want to talk about today is our Fast Bar POS and Bar Interface. Its purpose is to control how much liquor your bartenders pour in a drink, and to make sure each Manhattan is paid for and accounted for.
But let’s drop a maraschino cherry into that cocktail glass and watch it ripple.
At the Bar
The first place it impacts is naturally, the bar. Fast Bar POS makes your bartender’s job a lot easier and a lot less hectic even during peak times and happy hour. First, it works with virtually any liquor control device, across all the different modes of operation: those that unlock the device after the drink order is entered, those that record how much liquor is poured and then creates the order, and those that do both. Some of its other features include fast-order keys (entering a full round of orders with a single button click), customer name recognition, automatic price scheduling, recipe display, automatic end-of-day counting and more. (If you want to know more, visit our Bar POS product page)
On the Floor
Fast Bar keeps servers on the floor longer. When they’re using a mobile POS terminal, they’ll be able to enter the drink orders directly from the table, which means that the drinks will be ready—or in the process of being made—when they get to the bar. They’ll also be able to pick up orders for more tables at a time. And they’ll do it all more quickly.
Management
Bar management is made significantly easier and more accurate. Shift monitoring, scheduling and forecasting is almost effortless because our Bar POS is integrated with Labor Management and Scheduling. That lets you have all that flexibility, and perform accurate schedule predictions based on receipts and on volume of sales by period. And counts are always accurate, and can be performed as many times a day as you want.
In the Stockroom
Inventory and ordering becomes almost fully automatic. Sales are integrated with Maitre'D Inventory Management. As you reach your predefined stock thresholds, and based on your own distributors’ delivery turnaround from order, Maitre'D will send you reorder alerts to let you know exactly what your inventory replenishment requirements are. Integrated with inventory means your liquor control system is integrated with your ordering as well, streamlining the process of entering and managing liquor and liquor related orders.
Forecasting
Reporting and forecasting is simplified through that same integration. With the Bar POS connected to inventory, Maitre'D can run comprehensive reporting on usage, spillage, types of drinks ordered by time of day, and more. That’s helpful for managing reordering, and for running very accurate forecasts of both sales and inventory for the bar.
Fast Bar streamlines the operation, makes staff more productive and—of course—makes sure that your pours are accurate. That means no more over pours, forgotten charges or freebies to friends. So your bartender’s workout partners may not like it.
But you will.
