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Make Sure Your Restaurant POS System Is Working For YOU!"!
Start out the year right for your restaurant POS systems. Let’s tackle some of the most common and crucial mistakes that retail business owners make in regard to some very simple and basic configuration aspects of the computer system. Some of these mistakes can cost restaurant owners hundreds or thousands of dollars of wasted time and money. And even worse... it can frustrate your guests and employees.
Whether you're the one who's going to do the configuration or hiring somebody else to do it for you] -- you better make sure that everything is done accordingly for your own sake.
Don't let me give you the wrong message. I do not always recommend configuring your own computer system! I recommend letting a professional do the work. But I know some of you will do it yourself no matter what I say. So this is for those that insist on doing your own computer installations and for everyone else to double check and make sure everything was done properly. This can help avoid major problems, be aware on the proper installations and save hours of your precious time.
So here are some simple retail POS system configuration checklist for a Windows network you could use as a guide:
1) Install a Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
One of the main causes of your electronic component failure is due to fluctuations in electricity (up and down). A good UPS can solve this problem by regulating the power. I would recommedn getting a good UPS for your server. And it's also a good idea to use them on all your workstations too.
2) Plugging All Cables Into the UPS
All cables that powers your computer and network must be properly plugged into your UPS. It's also important to make sure cables that can carry electrical charges are plugged into a surge protector or UPS. For example, the phone line for your modem can easily fry your computer if you do not plug it into a surge protector. So you better make sure that all cables are plugged properly. Your modem line, network cables, and power cords can cause severe damage if not plugged properly.
3) Tightening Up Security
At the very least, I suggest locking down your server with a password on all Windows accounts so your employees and hackers have more difficulty messing with your server.
4) Install Anti-virus and Anti-Spyware Software and Configure For Automatic Updates
It's also very important to configure that software to update automatically every day, so you don't forget.
5) Limit Internet Access
Employees that surf the internet can cause more problems than anything. Anti-virus and anti-spyware software does help but if an employee unintentionally downloads the wrong program or accepts the wrong message, it can bring your system down. You may limit them by disabling internet browsing on their computer stations. Or another option is to password protect internet access.
For restaurant owners, this is very important! In order to protect secured files from evil hands, limiting employee internet access is a must. A retail business owner has to enforce rules to protect his business as well as his profit. Otherwise, what good will a restaurant POS system do if it's run by a misbahaved or ignorant personnel.
6) Configuring Your Back Up To Run Regularly
In many situations, it's still best to configure your back up to run automatically after work hours. But you still need to remember to change your back up media (like tapes) every day.
7) Testing Your Back Up At Least Once A Month
I can't tell you how many times I've talked with several business owners that have hard drive failure and think they have a good back up plan to restore. When they try to restore they find it didn't properly funciton. That's why you need to do a "real" test restore once a month to make sure it's working. By the way, you should also remember o restore to an alternate file location so you don't mess up your existing software.
So please check your computer system now. If you don't, you might regret it later. Have a happy and successful 2009!
With over 20 years of restaruant experience, the author and Vice President of Customer Relations at POS-for-Restaurants.com, helps you use your technology to be more efficient and more profitable.
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