“I’m worried about how long it takes to set up”

We get it. With hospitality margins so tight, any wasted days can be crippling. With some EPOS providers quoting lead times of up to six weeks, it’s easy to be put off.

While the size of venue, its range of offerings, and its staff’s current level of tech confidence can all influence the time it takes, we typically get venues set up within a week. Often, it’s within 48 hours if there are no complications around internet connection, hardware, or integrations with other platforms (our record is two hours, but that was pretty intense and thankfully doesn’t happen often!)

You won’t have any downtime, as we can run your new system alongside your old one until you’re ready to switch. And any data to migrate can be exported to us, and imported into the new system (we also use this opportunity to check and clean data, which often contains legacy data that’s no longer useful).

One of our latest innovations is an AI-powered menu uploader that can add you full menu to the system in a matter of minutes. Simply upload a photo or pdf of your menu, and our tool reads it and adds the products and prices to your product management system. A quick check, then you’re ready to start making sales. 

And if you are happy for us to get you up and running remotely (which happens in the vast majority of cases), you won’t pay a penny in setup fees, regardless of how much support you need (if we need to visit your site, which is rare, there would me a small charge to cover our travel costs).

“What if I struggle to get to grips with it?”

This is usually the main concern for many operators considering a tech switch, and rightly so. Tech challenges stress staff out, cause delays and get in the way of great service. That’s why a good onboarding process and an easy-to-use system are critical. 

The onboarding process should be flexible. We know that some operators are computer whizzes, but others are used to the old-school pen-and-paper approach, so we adapt. We often find a phased approach effective – we train you in the basics, give you a bit of time to get to grips with those, then take you through the more advanced features. This ensures you get up to speed as quickly as possible and means you don’t need to reach out to support too often. ‘Teach a man to fish’ as they say.

EPOS providers should have a blend of tech excellence and genuine hospitality experience – it’s the only way to deliver an EPOS that’s powerful and easy to use.

Jonathan, Director at Blackjack Brewing Co, says: “The real proof is in how happy my staff are. They find the Tabology system unbelievably easy to use, and very powerful, so they’re spending far less time on admin, and more time procuring the best stock to sell in their bars.” 

Of course, you may find some of the more advanced features take a bit more time to master (or you might simply forget how to do something). If so, just drop a line in your dedicated Telegram channel (manned from 8am-midnight, 365 days a year), which is included within your monthly subscription. Support teams respond within minutes, so you don’t have to worry about downtime in busy periods. 

We’re no faceless corporation – we like to treat our customers like a good landlord treats their regulars, so you’ll usually speak to the same one or two people who know you and your venue well, and can solve your problems in good time. 

“I’m not sure a new EPOS is worth it”

With so much pressure on hospitality businesses, operators need to be sure any tech investment pays for itself. This decision gets harder if you’ve been stung by hidden fees, broken promises or lock-in contracts before.

EPOS providers should be honest and transparent  (there are some out there, believe it or not). It should be easy for you to understand any fees, deliverables and contract details so you can make the most informed decision. It’s always worth checking external review sites to get unbiased views as well. 

So, what makes an EPOS a sound investment?

The right EPOS saves you time

You can save hours every week with a slicker, seamless, more comprehensive system.

When all your tools and operations are ‘under one roof’, you spend less time navigating different apps, platforms, and spreadsheets. Bookings, stock, staffing, loyalty, kitchen management and more all sit within one seamless system, simplifying the way your venue works.

You can also automate more of those boring admin tasks and reclaim more time for customer-facing tasks that make the biggest difference.

Of course, in hospitality, time is money. So any hours you regain through smarter tech are going to increase your margins too…

The right EPOS saves you money

Sometimes new technology requires an upfront investment, such as for new hardware. But when it comes to choosing an EPOS provider, don’t look at the upfront fee or monthly fee in isolation. Consider whether the investment is repaid by the range of long-term savings you can make with a joined-up system that runs your venue more smoothly.

Our EPOS and management software is that it’s completely cloud-based. The EPOS runs on any iPad and can use your existing network, so you usually don’t need to spend much on hardware to get started.

Staff are by far the biggest expense for hospitality venues. With the right tech setup, managers are freed up more often and your regular front-of-house staff can get more done in their working hours. You might be able to streamline the number of  staff you need on shift.

If you’re using different apps for bookings, staffing, stock management and loyalty, the monthly fees can really add up. With a system like ours, which provides all your key operations in a single easy-to-use platform, it’s all covered in  one transparent fee.

“What if my staff don’t get on board?”

Too often, decisions around tech are made from the top, by owners who are detached from the thrills and spills of the floor. But it’s managers who use the technology every day and train other staff how to use it, so it makes sense to involve them in the decision process.

Talk to them about what’s working and what’s not with your current setup. Ask them which processes are trickier than they need to be. This guides you in what to look for and gives you the chance to highlight the benefits of switching. If staff see how it’ll make their lives easier and free them up to focus on the fun parts of the job, they’ll be more open to change.

If EPOS providers (or any tech providers) are confident in what they offer, they should let you try the software for free. Use these trial periods to get feedback from staff about how they’re finding it – is it easy to use, does it speed things up, does it solve their problems?

Speaking of free trials…

At Tabology, we try to make the transition to a new EPOS as painless as possible. You get full access to all features and full tech support during the free, two-week trial. But that’s not all... 

Having run hospitality venues ourselves, we know how much pressure you’re under. Tech should never add to that. Our mission is to help you run your venue more effectively. That’s why we never ask you to sign a contract. You’re free to leave if you ever feel our EPOS and management suite is no longer the best fit for your venue.

If you’re interested in exploring a pain-free tech solution, our onboarding experts are happy to show you around the system and answer any questions.

We hope this reassures you and answers some of the questions you had about switching your EPOS. But what about beyond that? How can you be sure a new EPOS will serve you for years to come? Have a look at our article on choosing an EPOS that grows with you to find out.