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The FREE Point of Sale System the will Revolutionize Your Business

It has never been easier to take advantage of the benefits of POS. Harbortouch offers a full-featured point of sale system without all the hassle or the high cost. We removed the cost barrier and simplified the process so you can easily transition from your current setup to a state of the art touch-screen POS system that will streamline your business operations and automate your daily management activities. Combining the highest quality hardware with cutting edge software and exceptional customer service, Harbortouch is the ultimate tool not only for handling transactions but also for managing your entire business! Harbortouch offers countless time and money saving features that will allow you to focus on what's important: keeping your customers satisfied and spending!

Call 877-677-0449 today to obtain your FREE POS System! or visit http://bit.ly/UBCSignup
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United Bank Card Blog
  • Ten Reasons to Add a POS System to Your Business
    A computerized point-of-sale (POS) system is an essential part of doing business for most retailers, restaurant owners and even service providers, like hairdressers. POS systems make it much easier to run a more profitable business. POS vendors constantly introduce features beyond balancing the cash drawer and processing credit cards. Advanced systems can include developing target marketing strategies, tracking supplier purchases and analyzing sales of each inventory item.

    Here are 10 reasons to consider upgrading to state-of-the-art POS systems:

    Faster checkout. From authorizing credit card transactions to printing receipts, checkout is faster. POS systems also can print barcode labels and interface with scanners to speed up checkout times.

    Produce itemized receipts. POS software delivers detailed information, including item description, list price and sale price. Built-in checks ensure that the information is entered accurately.

    Simplify the accounting process. Rather than requiring you or your accountant to pore over hundreds of individual receipts, a POS system allows financial personnel to review built-in reports or create their own.

    Streamline inventory management. POS software tracks inventory quickly and accurately. A POS system can track your biggest sellers for reordering when stock gets low.

    Increase customer loyalty. POS software can use a name, telephone number or loyalty card to uniquely identify a customer and offer discounts, record reward points or monitor customer buying patterns. You’ll know who your best customers are and why they’re buying.

    Improve reporting. POS-generated reports contain a deeper set of information within your business. You can create sophisticated and useful graphs and charts.

    Purchase order tracking. Some POS packages allow you to track purchase orders for inventory purposes. You can see where, when and what you paid for each inventory item.

    Integrate POS into your business operations. Most POS software interfaces with popular accounting packages. Files and reports can be imported directly into your accounting software, reducing data re-entry and facilitating easier reporting and reconciliation of transactions. This also eliminates the need for paper, minimizes errors and improves bookkeeping and tax record-keeping processes. 



    Track employee time cards. Some POS software packages allow you to record employee sign-in and sign-out times. The ability to scan employee cards enables more accurate hour and wage tracking.

    Contact Harbortouch at 877.677.0449 to learn how we can help your company integrate an advanced POS solution or other business and accounting technology to automate your operations. Get started by visiting http://www.FREEPOSNYC.com to receive additional information.
  • Comparing Credit Card Processing Options, From Terminals to Fees
    One of the most critical decisions impacting profits for any business that needs to accept credit cards is the company they choose to provide merchant services. And closely tied to it are the supporting sales channels from websites to point-of-sale equipment requiring payment processingservices. This article will explore what it means to accept credit cards through a virtual terminal or via physical terminals and what to expect from fee structures in credit card processing.

    Credit Card Processing via Physical Terminals

    When you need to process payments from a brick-and-mortar location, credit card processing is typically associated with traditional physical terminals. With this type of account, look for competitive rates, even on debit card transactions completed with a PIN—the ideal in affordability for merchants that need to accept credit cards of all types.
    Offering an innovative credit card processing option via physical terminals, Switch Commerce gives merchants the flexibility to use their own equipment or to purchase credit card terminals at a value price. With a physical terminal operated through Switch Commerce, batch transactions each day and receive access to your earnings in as little as 36 to 48 hours. Learn more about a physical terminal from Switch Commerce.

    Credit Card Processing via Virtual Terminal

    When you need to process payments online and anywhere your sales agents may roam,credit card processing needs to be as simple as entering payment information anywhere you secure internet access. This type of credit card processing is called a “virtual terminal” account; look for the latest technology coupled with the ability to accept credit cards without hardware.
    As a fully internet-based debit and credit card processing service, a Switch Commerce virtual terminal gives merchants an efficient way to pass over equipment and software maintenance issues with a solution that supports multiple simultaneous users as well. Process transactions on the web and manage your merchant account from an always-on online dashboard for maximum convenience. Learn more about a virtual terminal from Switch Commerce.

    Narrowing the Field of Merchant Account Providers

    There are many online merchant account providers that provide secure payment processing services. Because there are so many credit card processing companies available, it is important to understand how merchant services differ. With your reputation as a merchant and your future revenue on the line, choosing a reliable, trustworthy provider is more critical than ever—and when it comes to credit card processing, leading-edge security features can give you an edge while protecting you and your customers on every transaction.
    Using payment processing fees as a focal point for comparing credit card processing companies can be daunting—the gulf of difference among fees charged for merchant services can be vast. Often, it’s easier to compare merchant services providers that simplify fees and monthly charges, giving you a solid starting point to estimate your liabilities according to the level of revenue; however, typically, there is a great deal of variation based on the type of credit card accepted. Expect typical credit card processing expenses to include a statement fee, merchant services fee, PCI fee, annual fee and a return fee.

    How Credit Card Processing Fees Work

    Historically, small and medium-size companies have accessed what’s known as “multi-tier pricing” for credit card processing. This payment processing is usually set up with three levels, including “non-qualified”, “mid-qualified”, and “qualified” transactions, a somewhat antiquated pricing system today. Tiered pricing relays the preset price, based on a percentage of the transaction at the time of credit card processing, back to the merchant. Under this model, the business owner pays a markup calculated each month from the total amount of transactions by card type.
    Because the major credit card companies’ interchange categories vary so widely, frequently tiered pricing divvies these categories into one of the three-tier brackets—especially beneficial for merchants that only accept the most common credit cards. With more frequent debit card transactions, or credit card processing from cards attached to incentive programs and corporate cards, merchant services fees increase–a direct result of payment processing that falls squarely into the more expensive “mid” or “non-qualified” transaction brackets.

    Evaluating Multi-tier Credit Card Processing

    For businesses able to ascertain the volume and types of cards customers commonly use to purchase from you, the right decision in credit card processing becomes clearer. Evaluating a three-tier credit card processing agreement in use often requires active reviewing of the monthly statement, noting the number of mid and unqualified transactions. Increases in these transactions can point to alternative fee structures that help business owners with the means to restructure monthly credit card processing expenses. Talk to a Switch Commerce agent to find out what options exist for your business.
    Switch Commerce merchant services provide basic and preferred pricing to clients in the market for world-class debit and credit card processing at a fair price. Add ATM portfolio management and convenient ATM processing that’s safe, secure and reliable to cover all your business’ payment processing needs.
    by Switch Commerce
  • ATMs Increase Cash Spending at Your Business
    Small businesses with one or even several brick-and-mortar locations are seeing an avalanche of benefits from supplying customers with cash at a moment’s notice. The simple truth about having an ATM on the premises is that it reliably attracts new customers. Why? An ATM’s presence encourages cash withdrawals and cash spending in your store and preserves higher profits per transaction.

    Understanding Your ATM’s Revenue Potential

    Simply put, having an ATM installed can attract more foot traffic–and that’s a serious boon to your bottom line; the simple enticement of having an ATM can often increase cash spending on the spot—a key reason calling for further exploration of ATM management information that impacts your revenue.

    How Your ATM Attracts New Customers

    ATMs and foot traffic go hand in hand. It’s about convenience. The likelihood of new customers stopping in from neighboring businesses to use your ATM to get cash is very high. Especially if you run a nightlife establishment or operate in the vicinity of an entertainment district, giving your customers the option of an ATM withdrawal can get more spending patrons through your doors.

    Why ATM Management is Important

    Accepting cash from customers sounds good, but what can you do if they run low on cash? Keep each of your ATMs fully stocked by using a quality ATM management company. After all, people like to spend money when they’re having a good time. Because you’re attracting more new and repeat customers, you’re also increasing cash spending at your establishment. ATM management means monitoring cash availability and other ATM issues to keep your ATMs running around the clock.
    With reliable ATM service, your regular customers will take notice and will start incorporating ATM withdrawals at your establishment into their routines. Working with a reliable ATM management provider for maximal uptime while racking up additional income from the surcharges imposed each time someone uses your machine—that’s the ultimate winning formula for getting the most out of having an ATM at all your locations.
    To make the most of the ATMs positioned throughout your retail network, choosing a reliable and convenient ATM management company can seriously affect how much incremental income you make. Ultimately, better service yields better revenue potential for you. Be sure to evaluate your ATM processing and management relationship for these four key points of differentiation.

    4 Reasons You Should Be Concerned About Choosing a Reliable ATM Processing Company

    1. Better ATM Management Boosts Foot Traffic

    About 80% of all payment processing is handled via Automatic Teller Machine. Because your customers have little patience for long lines, the bank is not the optimal place for cash withdrawals and that’s your opportunity to create a win. With an ATM sign in your storefront window, customers who need cash will be drawn inside. Choose an ATM processing company that will support your need for the best ATM uptime possible.

    2. Better ATM Management Boosts Sales

    With more patrons filtering into your location to use your ATM, spending some of the cash they withdraw is to be expected. Researchers studying convenience store ATM patterns report patrons usually spend 25% more than customers who have not withdrawn cash from the store’s ATM. Choose an ATM processing company that will support customer demand for cash—with a system in place so you never have the opportunity to run out. Learn more about the Switch Commerce guarantee.

    3. Better ATM Management Reduces Card Transaction Fees

    Frequently consumers choose to pay in cash from an ATM before swiping their credit card. Choose an ATM processing company that offers around-the-clock monitoring and support—your key to being there the moment any customer comes in to do business with you or your ATM. Compare other ATM management providers to Switch Commerce.

    4. Better ATM Management Means Earning More Surcharge Revenue

    Earn income for every transaction when customers use your ATM. Some locations earn as much as $500 a month by collecting these ATM surcharges, while very densely populated areas can produce even more monthly revenue. Choose an ATM processing company that combines the best in service, uptime and monitoring services to give your customers the most consistent ATM access possible. Check out Switch Commerce now.
    Better ATM management can yield a broader base of loyal customers. With Switch Commerce, get convenience and 24-7 reliability in ATM management and ATM processing as well as debit and credit card processing.
    by Switch Commerce
  • Marketing Gift Certificates – Key Benefits And Strategies For a Small Business
    Gift certificates are a great way to make more sales and increase customer loyalty for your business. The returns on inGift certificates are a great way to make more sales and increase customer loyalty for your business. The returns on investment can be great provided you focus on effective marketing strategies. First, let’s review what benefits a sensible gift certificate marketing strategy should bring you:
    Increase sales
    Gift certificates work. They help you make more sales by reaching new customers, and they will also increase your sales for other reasons: indeed, most customers will spend more than face value of the card (on average, 20 percent more). A minority (about 10 percent) will use only part of the certificate’s value, which means you keep the profits.
    Improve cash flow
    When someone buys a gift certificate, they are pre-paying you for services that another person will receive later. In other words, gift certificate sales really represent cash deposits or full payments for services planned for well in the future, which means 100 percent of the cash is yours to use until the certificate is redeemed.
    Increase Brand Awareness
    Gift certificates give you the opportunity to advertise and promote your business with wallet-sized billboards. You were already paid because of the sale of the gift certificates, so you are allowing new customers to try out your business with a paid visit from your existing customers.

    Gift certificate marketing objectives

    Your gift certificate marketing strategy should target the following objectives:
    • Communicating the fact that gift certificates are available and are a popular and desirable gift
    • Conveying the relevance, variety and quality of the gift certificate; offer upsells such as metal tins, boxes and die-cut envelopes for a distinctive touch and to add to the fun
    • Reinforcing the “convenience” benefit of purchasing gift certificates
    • Building awareness of your gift certificate program through inclusion of certificates in print, direct mail, e-mail, online, and other advertising opportunities

    Get Gift/Loyalty Cards for your Business - TODAY!!

    Gift certificate marketing ideas

    Impulse purchase
    You should place all gift certificate designs on a highly visible, easily accessible, well-organized page on your website, as well as on your confirmations and receipts, which will appeal to impulse purchasers. Big stores all have their gift cards at that location, that’s because it works.
    Partnership
    A very effective way to market your gift certificates is to partner with another local business. The way it works is that you offer gift certificates for the other business, and they would do the same. It works better if your businesses are somehow related, or could attract the same category of customers.
    Personalization & Diversification
    Gift certificates are usually given for special occasions: birthday, Christmas, graduation etc. Make sure that you have a wide array of gift certificates so that you can accommodate all gifting desires. Having unique designs and personalization options like space to write a personal message helps. You can also have designs that appeal to corporate customers, so that you don’t miss potential sales.
    Reciprocal agreement
    Reciprocal agreement is a widely used sales technique meaning that you first give an item to somebody. The sense of reciprocation, deeply rooted in human social behavior, makes the customer want to give something back. You could offer a gift certificate of small value to a person visiting your shop for the first time. Reciprocal agreement kicks in and you have turned a visitor into a customer, likely along with a juicy purchase.
    Liking
    Liking means that we are more sensitive to people we like, like our friends, and so we value more advice or opinion coming from them than coming from a stranger. This is also a widely used sales technique. For example, at checkout time, you could offer a gift certificate to a customer and to his best friend (if that still makes economic sense to you). That will act as a referral and you’ve secured a new customer, your customer’s best friend.vestment can be great provided you focus on effective marketing strategies. First, let’s review what benefits a sensible gift certificate marketing strategy should bring you:
    Increase sales
    Gift certificates work. They help you make more sales by reaching new customers, and they will also increase your sales for other reasons: indeed, most customers will spend more than face value of the card (on average, 20 percent more). A minority (about 10 percent) will use only part of the certificate’s value, which means you keep the profits.
    Improve cash flow
    When someone buys a gift certificate, they are pre-paying you for services that another person will receive later. In other words, gift certificate sales really represent cash deposits or full payments for services planned for well in the future, which means 100 percent of the cash is yours to use until the certificate is redeemed.
    Increase Brand Awareness
    Gift certificates give you the opportunity to advertise and promote your business with wallet-sized billboards. You were already paid because of the sale of the gift certificates, so you are allowing new customers to try out your business with a paid visit from your existing customers.

    Get Gift/Loyalty Cards for your Business - TODAY!!

    Gift certificate marketing objectives

    Your gift certificate marketing strategy should target the following objectives:
    • Communicating the fact that gift certificates are available and are a popular and desirable gift
    • Conveying the relevance, variety and quality of the gift certificate; offer upsells such as metal tins, boxes and die-cut envelopes for a distinctive touch and to add to the fun
    • Reinforcing the “convenience” benefit of purchasing gift certificates
    • Building awareness of your gift certificate program through inclusion of certificates in print, direct mail, e-mail, online, and other advertising opportunities

    Gift certificate marketing ideas

    Impulse purchase
    You should place all gift certificate designs on a highly visible, easily accessible, well-organized page on your website, as well as on your confirmations and receipts, which will appeal to impulse purchasers. Big stores all have their gift cards at that location, that’s because it works.
    Partnership
    A very effective way to market your gift certificates is to partner with another local business. The way it works is that you offer gift certificates for the other business, and they would do the same. It works better if your businesses are somehow related, or could attract the same category of customers.
    Personalization & Diversification
    Gift certificates are usually given for special occasions: birthday, Christmas, graduation etc. Make sure that you have a wide array of gift certificates so that you can accommodate all gifting desires. Having unique designs and personalization options like space to write a personal message helps. You can also have designs that appeal to corporate customers, so that you don’t miss potential sales.
    Reciprocal agreement
    Reciprocal agreement is a widely used sales technique meaning that you first give an item to somebody. The sense of reciprocation, deeply rooted in human social behavior, makes the customer want to give something back. You could offer a gift certificate of small value to a person visiting your shop for the first time. Reciprocal agreement kicks in and you have turned a visitor into a customer, likely along with a juicy purchase.
    Liking
    Liking means that we are more sensitive to people we like, like our friends, and so we value more advice or opinion coming from them than coming from a stranger. This is also a widely used sales technique. For example, at checkout time, you could offer a gift certificate to a customer and to his best friend (if that still makes economic sense to you). That will act as a referral and you’ve secured a new customer, your customer’s best friend.
  • What To Look For In A Restaurant POS System
    Tο rυn a successful restaurant business уου need tο hаνе уουr basics rіɡht- i.e. ɡοοԁ location, ехсеƖƖеnt cuisine, serving customers wіth a smile. Hοwеνеr, thіѕ іѕ nοt аƖƖ. Now-a-days, thеrе′s another іmрοrtаnt aspect tο consider – thе restaurant pos software οr thе pos software system уου υѕе. 
    Although, hardware components Ɩіkе thе monitors, computers οr thе printers аrе visibly essential, thе pos software system іѕ thе nerve-center οf thе whole setup. Thus, a careful assessment іѕ extremely nесеѕѕаrу before уου сhοοѕе thе best pos software.
    Hοw wіƖƖ уου check restaurant pos systems?
    First, іt’s іmрοrtаnt tο know whаt exactly уου need thе POS software system tο ԁο. Gοοԁ restaurant pos software ѕhουƖԁ handle multiple menus, track orders, manage thе work-flow, record transaction, process credit card payments, аnԁ many more. Once уου аrе through wіth thе functionalities οf thе POS software system thаt meets уουr basic requirements, ԁο a test rυn tο see hοw easy іt іѕ tο υѕе іn уουr environment. WhіƖе thеrе wουƖԁ bе ample scopes οf learning fοr уουr staff whеn уου adopt nеw restaurant pos software, choosing thе best pos software ѕhουƖԁ bе easy tο operate аnԁ ѕhουƖԁ reduce thе learning curve tο manageable levels.
    Thе best way tο ԁο thіѕ bу сrеаtіnɡ multiple logins fοr уουr stuff (οf course, аnу vendor offering restaurant pos systems ѕhουƖԁ ԁο thіѕ!) аnԁ Ɩеt thеm rυn іt іn real-time situations. Thіѕ wіƖƖ hеƖр thеm tο find out thе performance οf thе restaurant pos software under eccentric situations аnԁ hеƖр уου tο ԁесіԁе accordingly. Thе rules οf thumb tο select thе best pos software аrе:
    Security: Thе POS software system ѕhουƖԁ provide wіth unique login option tο еνеrу employee. Yου ѕhουƖԁ bе аbƖе tο set access-levels tο safeguard sensitive reports аnԁ functions tο depending οn positional hierarchy іn уουr business, іf desired.
    Ease οf υѕе: In thе POS software system, уου ѕhουƖԁ bе аbƖе tο change οr edit orders, menus, payment options etc. whenever уου want tο. Thе interface ѕhουƖԁ bе ѕο arranged thаt уου саn perform frequently used tasks wіth minimum key pressing οr mouse-clicks.
    Reporting: Thе best pos software ѕhουƖԁ bе аbƖе tο generate detailed reports fοr owners аnԁ managers. Mаkе sure thе restaurant pos software уου сhοοѕе lets уου ɡеt detailed information per order, per server, οr menu-wise, ranging frοm daily tο monthly.
    Multiple access points: AƖƖ рοрυƖаr restaurant pos systems аrе capable οf taking orders frοm multiple locations (such аѕ thе bar, thе kitchen, thе take-away counter etc.). Mаkе sure уουr POS software system аƖѕο ԁοеѕ ѕο.
    Finally, don’t forget tο рυrсhаѕе thе hardware (Ɩіkе thе printer аnԁ computer) frοm reputed vendors ѕο thаt thе rigors οf multiple аnԁ frequent usage аrе sustained fοr a long time.
    By virtualsoul.com | Published: July 22, 2011
  • Old Cash Registers Fail Retail Businesses
    Cash registers have served retail well but their time is past. The needs of a retail business today are quite different today to the needs of even a few years ago. 

    A business wanting to be competitive will need to be thinking of life after the cash register. 

    Competition is tough, meaning that access to quality business data is essential. 
    Business transacts at a faster pace, reinforcing the need for access to business data. 
    Plenty of business is transacted electronically, making using a cash register a barrier to some business. 

    Good Point of Sale software backed by professional support services, will provide just about any retail business with a better and more useful solution than could be achieved through an old cash register. 

    But what is wrong with the old cash register What are the weaknesses which make it no longer the right tool for a retail business? Here is a starting point list of where I see old registers failing retail businesses. 

    They generally do not track sales by employees, they also tend to not track every single item sold by barcode. These two failings open cash registers to easy abuse and the retail business can suffer as a result. One could say that cash registers made fraud easier. 

    They do not gather business data. While they run a tape recording sales, they do not track sales by stock item, supplier, customer. Good business data feeds good business decisions. It is vital for a retail business to scan every sale, track sale price and manage stock on hand. Doing this feed to more accurate ordering. It also facilitates a reduction on theft by customers. 

    They do not recognise customers. Customers are important to a retail business. By recognizing them you can track sales, reward increased business and provide extra services of considerable value. A register does none of this, it stops the retail business from providing the best customer service experience possible. 

    They are not flexible. Consider for example how you would handle a special offer of a 10% discount off a department or two in your retail store for a week. Using a register you rely on manual operation to achieve this. Using a Point of sale system you are able to have the process managed and tracked for you. 

    They cannot write a report. Business decisions feed off good data. Good data is best represented in a report on business performance. An old register is not going to be able to produce a report for you whereas a Point of sale system will enable you to produce a report over a variable period of time and representing the data you need. 

    The difference between cash registers and Point of Sale systems is considerable. If you want better control over your retail business, reduced theft and the ability to drive better quality business decisions, you will find that a cash register is not appropriate to your needs.
  • Improve Restaurant Costs And Profits
    Why it’s vital to have a system to track restaurant costs…now more than ever!!!

    The current economic downturn has caused many good, quality restaurants to go out of business. With food costs, employee theft, and employee costs on the rise, restaurants without good systems in place are left wondering what happened to their profits.

    Increasing Costs Means Lower Profits!!

    Rising Food Costs

    • The current economic downturn and rising food costs have forced restaurants such as Uno Chicago Grill Pizza, Charlie Brown’s Steakhouse, and Fuddruckers to file for bankruptcy in the past year.
    • Overall food prices have increased by 3.9%...The biggest jump since 1974.
    • Wheat prices have increased by 60% this year.
    • Because of the increase in the price of corn, used as feed by farmers, the prices of beef, chicken, pork and dairy are expected to see the largest increases.
     New Health Care Law
    With the new health-care law, restaurants now face another cost that must be managed.
    • Restaurants with 50 or more full-time workers now must provide health insurance to employees who work over 30 hours per week.
    • A typical US business will spend $6000 to $7000 per employee.
    • However, restaurants on average make only $2000 profit per employee, each year.
    • Any restaurant found in violation of the health care law may pay a penalty of $2000 to $3000 per worker.

    Employee Theft Is Cutting Into Your Profits

    Your Employees May Be Costing You Money
    • According to the US Chamber of Commerce, 75% of all employees commit some form of employee theft. Many will do so repeatedly.
    • Research done by Employee Theft Solutions, a division of The Shulman Center for Compulsive Theft and Spending, estimates that employee theft causes ⅓ of all US corporate bankruptcies.
    • Small businesses with 100 employees or less have the greatest risk for employee theft. This is because small businesses normally implement fewer anti-theft controls than large businesses.
    • A typical business will lose 5% of its annual revenue to theft.

    Six Signs of Employee Theft

    Dan Cosgrove, CEO of Mercantile Systems, Inc has identified six signs to look for when determining if your business is a victim of employee theft.
    • Have Your Food Costs Increased?
    • Is your cash drawer over or under consistently?
    • Do your employee’s tips add up?
    • Have you been told by your customers or employees that someone is stealing?
    • Do your customers complain that your prices are too expensive or change frequently?
    • Do your instincts tell you that something is wrong about an employee?
    • If you answer yes to any, or all of these questions, you may be a victim of employee theft.

    The Right POS System Can Keep Your Business Healthy

    The POS system you choose for your restaurant should have tools to manage your inventory and food costs, prevent employee theft and credit card fraud, and be flexible enough to meet your restaurant needs.

    Managing Inventory

    Managing inventory in a restaurant can be a daunting task. If you are managing inventory manually, you could end up spending hours each month just counting condiments. However, with today's modern Restaurant POS Systems, you can reduce the time you spend managing your restaurant inventory significantly.
    Tracking Food Costs
    You need to be able to see all food costs and profit margins at any point in time.
    Something that is constantly drilled to MBAs is “If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.”
    If you have not been measuring and tracking your food costs, it is impossible to ensure that you have the lowest food costs possible.
    Your POS system should have multiple cost and profit margin reports to give you an accurate view of how much you are spending on inventory.
    Tracking On Hand Counts
    This would involve entering in an initial count of all products you would like to track. Also, you would need to define which items are removed from inventory when an item on your menu is sold. For example, if someone purchases an omelet, you would need to program the system to not only deduct eggs from inventory, but also cheese, any toppings, oil, etc. With most systems, this is done by defining a food recipe in the system. In the recipe, you would specify all of the ingredients that make up the menu item. When the menu item is sold, all of the ingredients are removed from inventory.
    Creating Purchase Orders
    With many restaurant POS systems, you also have the ability to create purchase orders for your vendors.
    For example, when you are out of eggs, you would generate the purchase order for more eggs. When the eggs come in, you would let the system know that the eggs have arrived, and the system will automatically add the eggs into your inventory. This method of adding inventory would be much more efficient than any manual method.
    To speed up the process, many systems can auto-generate purchase orders. For example, you can setup your system to create a purchase order when you are down to four dozen eggs. Again, when the eggs come in, they will be automatically entered into your inventory.
    Integration Into Your Accounting System
    The time you gain in making your restaurant inventory process more efficient could be quickly lost if you have to manually input this information into your accounting system.  Be sure that the POS system you purchase can automatically make adjustments to your chart of accounts in your accounting system.
    Tracking Food Waste
    One final aspect of a modern inventory system is accounting for food waste. Again, using our eggs example, if someone dropped a dozen eggs on the floor, in most modern POS systems, you can quickly enter this in as food waste.

    Theft And Fraud Prevention

    Employee Theft
    • Your POS system should include functions to prevent employee theft.
    • This includes manager passwords and manager swipe cards.
    • You should also see when those manager passwords were used in your reporting. For example, if a manager approved a void, you should have a report in your POS system that shows the name of the employee that performed the void, and the name of the manager that approved it.
    Prevent Credit Card Fraud
    • In 2007, Heartland Payment Systems had a security breach of close to 100 million transactions by hackers.
    • In 2008, RBS Worldpay announced that there was a security breach of their payment systems that may have affected 1.5 million people.
    • In 2005, a security breach at CardSystems Solutions compromised 40 million debit and credit card accounts.
    • To combat credit card fraud, the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council required that all POS vendors comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).
    • This standard protects card holders by ensuring that POS systems meet a minimum level of security when they store, process, and transmit credit card information.
    • Be sure that any POS system you purchase is in full compliance with the PCI DSS standard.
    • You may want to ask POS vendors the following questions:
      • Have your systems been certified for PCI Compliance?
      • Do you store credit card information in your POS software? If so, how do I protect my systems from credit card fraud?

    Flexibility

    • The POS System you purchase needs to be flexible enough to accommodate your restaurant’s needs.
    • Any system that claims to be a “one size fits all system” normally ends up as a “this size does not fit me” system.
    • Be sure that the vendor has a trial version of their POS software you can download so that you can make sure the system will work for you before making a purchase.
    • You also need a system that will grow with your business.   If you move to another location, or, you need extra POS terminals to keep up with your restaurant’s growth, the vendor you select should allow for easy relocation and expansion.
    • The POS system you purchase should be flexible enough to accommodate a variety of hardware.
    • You shouldn’t have to rely on purchasing the most expensive computers, printers, and cash drawers to get your system up and running.

    Reporting

    • A restaurant manager or owner needs to be able to see a complete view of his business at any point in time.
    • If you are just relying on sales figures to tell you how well your restaurant is doing, you could be actually losing money by not tracking other figures
    • Food Costs, Wastes, Voids, Discounts, Comps, Expenses, and Labor are just some of the metrics that you need to be tracking on a consistent basis.
    • Having access to this information allows you to make better decisions concerning purchases, employee scheduling, or even whether to fire someone for stealing.
    • Your POS system should include detailed reports to give you a full view of how well your business is performing.

    Support

    • The POS Vendor that you choose should offer a variety of support services.
    • Those services should include 24/7 phone support availability, online support, training manuals, and video walkthroughs
    • Included in the POS software should be preventative maintenance functions, such as a backup system

    Where Can You Find A Restaurant POS System That Has All Of These Features?

    Here at Harbortouch, we provide Restaurant POS systems that help you control your inventory and food costs, prevent employee theft and credit card fraud, and manage your restaurant all in one package.
    The system is not just a Point of Sale...it is a full business management system, which also includes the following features:
    • Employee time clock management
    • Over 90 Business Reports
    • Gift Card Software....custom made gifts card with your logo are available
    • Employee Swipe Cards....employees can clock in and out of the system just by swiping their cards
    We include all of these features so you can focus on keeping your business profitable and save valuable time on management tasks.

    Customizable Systems

    Not all businesses are alike.  So we offer a wide range of custom configurable Restaurant POS hardware systems. From single station systems to multiple station systems ...you can choose the most complete solution for your business.

    Integrated Credit Card Processing

    Process credit cards easily through the Harbortouch with our smooth credit card integration and processing for your POS system
  • Benefits of an ATM Cash Machine in Your Business
    First of all, I just want to reiterate that if you own a retail business, restaurant, hotel, bar, or fast food establishment and don’t have an ATM you’re missing out on easy income and other benefits. Owning and operating an ATM machine is easier than operating your merchant account, and less complicated than a cash register. ATM machines rarely need servicing and our toll free support answers all questions.
    Does your business still accept checks? Want to reduce bad checks and check acceptance overall. Want to reduce your credit card fees?
    Studies show that an ATM machines in your business will typically do all the above. How does a reduction in credit card fees sound, plus, your customers will usually spend more if they have cash. With the latest credit cruch, consumers are using much more cash over credit. Giving them access to cash can only help your bottom line.
    If you’re interested in purchasing an ATM to place in a business or location you don’t own, we can help you with that too.
    You can purchase ATM Machine equipment from us (or anyone else), then set your ATMs up on our ATM processing network. You can arrange to have the location manager put 20 – 30 twenty-dollar bills in the machine daily and you make money!
    You can even set up a system to load the cash yourself using our free online monitoring so you know when the machines are running low. simply get your $20 bills ready, visit the location, load the ATM and you’re done in a matter of minutes.
    If you own a business or want to put an ATM in, but want to outsource that service, we can help you there too. We have plenty of ATM Business Owners (ATM Machines Investors) interested in good ATM locations. We would make all the arrangements between the parties and get an ATM in your business.

    If you want to purchase an ATM we offer several payment options. You can use a money order, cashiers check, Paypal (for credit card purchase), or we can arrange financing. If you want a true lease, our lease company will only lease to the owner of the business where the ATM will be installed.
    If you find a location and do not want to buy, lease, or provide the money to put in it, you will need a location partnership agreement. Once you have made arrangements with the location owner, simply have the business owner contact us. Otherwise we can help with any aspect of owning and operating an ATM machine and the ATM service that goes with it.
    Feel free to contact us for more information.
  • Picking the Correct Point of Sale Software - A Handy Tips guide
    If you're thinking about purchasing or developing a point of sale software for the business, the question that you're undoubtedly wondering is: Which one should you choose? There are tons of various Pos systems available nowadays and trying to pick one out without knowing what you're looking for can be quite a task. While you're certainly likely to be spoilt for choice, the very fact of the matter is the fact that you're have to some way of separating the greater Pos software from the rest. Before you even have that far, the first step to choosing the right point of sale software is to think about one very simple question. "What Do you want Point of sale software For?" Different businesses have different requirements for his or her Pos systems, and you'll discover that it varies largely depending on the industry that you're in. For example, an a store or outlet would want Pos software that's able to identify the items for sale and output their current price while totaling in the figure and printing a receipt. However, more involved point of sale software may even sync having a server or network to alter the stock figures, and perhaps even alert the appropriate department when the stock is low. Similarly, in a hotel the pos systems might need to coordinate with room availability and report to a central system that tracks room bookings and statuses. It might even automatically track which customers are in which rooms too in line with the data entered into the Pos software. So bearing all of this in your mind, you need to first identify what you want out of your point of sale software before you actually begin looking around and seeking to decide which one to obtain! Different Options, Different Needs, Different Potential At the end of your day, every Pos software is supposed to help make things easier for the business by tracking sale data and simplifying the processing of the sale. Obviously different businesses have different needs, and their systems have to reach different potential levels. This is exactly what you need to consider when selecting Pos systems. Some present day point of sale software is based on Windows or UNIX platforms and can be networked or designed to run over the internet. The more general varieties can also be customized in a variety of ways which permit even medium-sized businesses to make use of effective Pos software without for customized coding. Consider this, and think about what you require out of your pos software. What you'll probably find is the fact that you're in a position to quite easily determine the right choice when you fully explore what you require from your point of sale software!


    Source:
    bjstar.com
  • Deciding upon the Suitable Point of sale software A Interesting Information
    If you’re buying or developing a point of sale software for your business, the question that you’re undoubtedly wondering is: Which should you choose?
    There are tons of different Pos systems available nowadays and seeking to pick one out without knowing what you’re looking for could be a task. While you’re certainly likely to be spoilt for choice, the fact from the matter is that you’re going to need some way of separating the greater Pos software in the rest.
    Before you get that far, the initial step to choosing the right point of sale software would be to think about one quite simple question…
    “What Do You Need Point of sale software For?”
    Different businesses have different requirements for their Pos systems, and you’ll discover that it varies largely with respect to the industry that you’re in.
    For example, a retail shop or outlet would want Pos software that is in a position to identify the things being sold and output their current price while totaling up the figure and printing a receipt. However, more involved point of sale software might even sync having a server or network to alter the stock figures, and perhaps even alert the appropriate department when the stock is low.
    Similarly, inside a hotel the pos systems might need to coordinate with room availability and are accountable to a central system that tracks room bookings and statuses. It could even automatically track which company is in which rooms too based on the data applied for the Pos software.
    So bearing all of this in mind, you need to first identify what you want from your point of sale software before you actually start looking around and trying to determine which to obtain!
    Different Options, Different Needs, Different Potential
    At the end of the day, every Pos software is meant to help make things easier for that business by tracking sale data and simplifying the processing from the sale.
    Obviously different businesses have different needs, as well as their systems have to reach different potential levels. This is what you have to take into account when choosing Pos systems.
    Some present day point of sale software is dependant on Windows or UNIX platforms and may be networked or designed to run over the internet. The greater general varieties can also be customized in various ways which permit even medium-sized businesses to make use of effective Pos software without having to pay for customized coding.
    Consider this, and think about that which you require from your pos software.
    What you’ll probably find is the fact that you’re able to very easily figure out the right choice when you fully explore what you require out of your point of sale software!
FREE Electronic Cash Register (ECR)
Why buy a cash register when you can get one for free?

There is no longer a need to purchase a cash register when you can get one for free through United Bank Card. Through an exclusive partnership with Casio, we’re able to offer cash registers with fully integrated credit card processing to retail and hospitality merchants at no cost! Thanks to our exclusive integrated technology, we have eliminated the need for a standalone credit card terminal to take up counter space at your business. With an integrated electronic Casio cash register, you will have one point of contact for both your credit card processing support and cash register service. You’ll be able to better serve your customers by improving speed and efficiency at the point of sale. This technology even tracks your daily cash, check and credit card sales as well as taxes, simplifying payment acceptance at your location so that you can focus on your business and not worry about the transaction process. Best of all, as long as you process credit cards through United Bank Card, we will provide a replacement Casio cash register if yours breaks or malfunctions, completely free of charge!* Browse our inventory of free Casio cash registers with integrated credit card processing, and contact us for same-day application approval so you can be fully equipped to accept credit cards, debit cards, checks, and other electronic payment options in as little as 48 hours.

Call 877-677-0449 today to obtain your FREE cash register!

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