Ask Dave
(Or, What does Jeeves Know?)
June 2001
Please send your questions to dave@dinersoft.com

Q. Dave,

Just read the review on positouch and couldn't agree more.  We are not able to go to restaurant shows to check out all the new systems and can't find reviews, comparisons, and opinions on alternate systems.

If you could please suggest any that are highly rated by the actual users as opposed to the companies who are all "The Best". We desperately need a new system - HELP!  (Also if you know any sites or message boards with reviews, comparisons, or opinions please let me know - I've been searching the web aimlessly for days...)

Raechelle

A.  Hi Raechelle,

First, I would call each POS company and get a list of users of their systems in your local area. I would then call and get first hand accounts from managers of what each feels about that particular system. Each POS system will have different support service from local area to local area so in some regions your support will be great and in others poor. 

Secondly, I would also have each POS company do a presentation on site in your restaurant and show how they would best and most economically setup your location and show you the benefits of their system.  Each POS provider will also give you hints and details that you may use in your final design no matter what system you choose.

Personally, in the San Francisco Bay Area, I feel the best POS companies are Positouch and Aloha.  Squirrel has fairly good support but it is costly and their new system is not yet all that it is cracked up to be.  Remember your local area could be different. 

I don't personally know of any sites that have reviews, comparisons and opinions (other than Dinersoft) but Todd the Dinersoft founder may have better idea than me so I will forward this to him to see if he has any ideas.

Hope this helps!!!!

Dave 

P.S. From Todd:  Here is a pretty comprehensive link for all things POS.  In addition, I am adding some polls on our tech page for users to rate some of the top selling POS systems.  I am working hard to provide more information on Dinersoft!

From the Restaurant Manager's Pocket Handbook Series...
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