May

26

Is the iPad a realistic restaurant point of sale device?

Written by Steven
Point of Sale, Restaurant, iPad View Comments

Over the past few weeks there has been some talk of companies building restaurant point of sale software to run on the iPad. This sounds fun, but I’m not sure anyone who has worked in an actual restaurant environment would consider it a good idea. The iPad was not designed for a restaurant environment and would probably drive waitstaff and managers alike crazy. Here’s why:

  1. It’s a brick. Servers are already carrying around trays, plates, and glasses all the time. To ask them to carry around another device, it needs to be lightweight and not get in the way of their regular tasks. They need to be able to pull it out, enter an order, and then put it away without any hassle. The iPad’s user interface is spectacular, but when it’s weighing your apron down so much that you look like a bad Charlie Chaplin skit then it’s probably more trouble than it’s worth.
  2. It’s unwieldy. Servers often need to have both hands free. They need to be able to slip the iPad into an apron pocket when they’re not using it. Unfortunately, the iPad is a little too big to comfortably fit inside an apron pocket, and even if it could, its excess weight would  cause it to drag the apron down (see Charlie Chaplin reference, above). An iPhone is a much better fit, but it is probably too small to use as a touchscreen terminal. The ideal size might be something more akin to a Kindle or Nook.
  3. It’s too fragile. The iPad is a consumer retail device, not something particularly well suited to the madcap frenzy of a restaurant environment. It will get dropped, people will spill drinks on it, and it will be exposed to all sorts of other random hazards (do you prefer your iPads deep-fried, or grilled?). Suffice to say, it will get destroyed after a few months of use. Realistically, a tablet needs to be retail-hardened before it can be used in a restaurant.
  4. It’s too expensive. At $500 a pop, these devices are going to be too expensive to replace when they break, and they will break. There’s a reason most point of sale terminals use retail-hardened hardware, and not commercial off-the-shelf computers. Here’s a little math for you: if you pay your waitstaff the standard, criminally-insane-but-government-sanctioned wage of $2.13 an hour, for each approximately $700 iPad you purchase, you’re paying 329 man-hours. Not to mention the $15-30/month/device data plan. At that price, it might actually be cheaper to hire someone to run around after each member of your waitstaff and be used as a multitouch device. “Just swipe Kenneth to activate!”
  5. It’ll get stolen. Again, because of its high retail price and its value as a consumer electronic device, the iPad is a prime target for theft. Who knows how long an iPad will last in the store before it magically ‘disappears’?
  6. Wireless is unreliable. Most restaurants have industrial-strength microwave ovens that wreak havoc on wireless signals because they operate around the same frequency range. Dropped connectivity is unacceptable when you’re trying to enter in orders or process credit cards. Currently, the only way around this is performing a professional installation, measuring the wireless signal throughout the restaurant, and making sure to install repeaters in the right place. This is fairly expensive.

Basically, the iPad is not well suited for restaurants because it is a consumer electronic device, with a higher than normal price point and no retail hardening. A much more realistic solution would be a retail hardened mobile POS tablet, perhaps based on cheaper hardware running on Android. Less expensive, Android-based tablets are in production now and will start shipping in the second half of the year, so we’ll see what happens.

Despite the iPad’s flaws, there are several potential benefits to using a mobile point of sale device in restaurants:

  1. Servers can record orders immediately, reducing the likelihood of mistakes. Instead of having to memorize the order or write it down in shorthand, the server can directly enter the orders into the POS system at the table.
  2. It reduces the time spent waiting for an open POS terminal. Because each server can carry their own individual POS device, they don’t have to worry about waiting in line to access one, and they can stay ‘logged in’ to the POS device between transactions.
  3. Processing credit cards at the table can reduce fraud concerns. If servers have to directly swipe credit cards at the table, this reduces the possibility of credit card theft, since the credit card never leaves the customer’s sight.
  4. Reduced cost. It is predicted that $100 Android tablets will ship in the second half of 2010. This is a much more cost effective solution than both the iPad based tablet, as well as expensive standard point of sale systems.

At ChompStack we welcome these innovations in the restaurant technology space and hope that they are embraced by the next generation of point of sale vendors. Restauranteurs are increasingly turning towards technology to help them reduce inefficiencies and increase margins, and we think that mobile POS units are a great step in the right direction. We’re excited to see what happens over the next few years.

  • JP

    While the iPad isn't good for POS at the table, I believe it would make a good device for POS that functions in the way existing shared fixed-location terminals do. Self-contained hardware unit in one piece, mounted in place in a dock that offers it network access to eliminate any wireless issues. POS software updates could be rolled out using standard Apple Store methods. Network access would allow for real-time menu changes, data modifications, etc. coming from the home office of the restaurants, or could be pushed out via software updates in Apple Store.

    I think changing the functioning model to something more traditional than the way you stated would alleviate all of the problems you mentioned. Some might ask why bother if existing PC solutions work ok. Well, desktop computers and traditional computing models are on the way out. Why not start now? And since Apple has built the infrastructure, startup costs and infrastructure costs associated with software updates, remote support, etc. are dramatically reduced. Initial per unit cost would be reasonable, if not less, and power and space consumption would be less.

  • chompstack

    Excellent points; the iPad certainly could be used as a mounted, traditional-style POS terminal. The disadvantage I might point out there would be the loss all of the efficiencies gained when the user is known (essentially, all the quick-service capabilities). Logins would once more be required in an anonymous user scenario. Also, waitstaff would still likely use notepads and POS resource contention would ensue, when in theory the mobility and staff-to-device of the iPad are its most alluring characteristics as a POS.

    I agree that startup and software update costs could be drastically reduced with the iPad or any inexpensive tablet, and I think that's an extremely compelling point, particularly for nascent restaurants.

    My biggest issue with the iPad as a POS from a developer standpoint is that it's limited in the choice of languages, and the OS is highly restricted. For instance, say you wanted to use the iPad as a backup POS server if your main POS server went down. Or say you want to use Python, etc, etc.

  • JF

    Why are you willing to ignore all of your own reasons why a tablet is impractical for POS, as long as it's an Android device that is under consideration?

    Also, I have to laugh at the claim that $100 Android tablets will ship late this year. Ask the JooJoo folks how it worked out for them when they blithely claimed they'd beat iPad to market and at a much lower price point. Reality interfered, they ended up being behind the iPad and at the same price point. Oops! Turns out it's not cheap to make quality hardware, and not easy to deliver it to market.

  • http://www.stevenwei.com/ Steven Wei

    It's not that Android has anything specifically to do with it. Just a tablet that is smaller, lighter, less expensive, retail hardened, and less of a theft concern.

    It just seems to me that the Android devices shipping later this fall might be the most likely candidates. As for $100 tablets, there are some devices getting pretty close:

    http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.39448

  • Jp

    If you would like to know what the staff thinks about the iPad call Nepo 42 in OR they are near the end of the pilot for FIRMS. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkWgk-vaJR8

  • chompstack

    Would definitely be interested to know what the waitstaff thinks, if they're willing to comment, or we'd love to interview one of them. We were pretty excited when we saw the link to the video originally. However, that UI is severely lacking. Really not sure why they choose to customize the great UIKit controls and create a non-touchscreen-friendly interface that it seems difficult for the waitress to use. Also, typing in the credit card is a poor choice: not only does it up the merchant account fee for the transaction but a mag stripe reader is quick work to implement (see, Square). And if you want to know what we think good UX design looks like for the iPad, again, see Square, and really any of the iPad native apps.

  • Jp

    If you would like to know what the staff thinks about the iPad call Nepo 42 in OR they are near the end of the pilot for FIRMS. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkWgk-vaJR8

  • chompstack

    Would definitely be interested to know what the waitstaff thinks, if they're willing to comment, or we'd love to interview one of them. We were pretty excited when we saw the link to the video originally. However, that UI is severely lacking. Really not sure why they choose to customize the great UIKit controls and create a non-touchscreen-friendly interface that seems difficult for the waitress to use. Also, typing in the credit card is a poor choice: not only does it up the merchant account fee for the transaction but a mag stripe reader is quick work to implement (see, Square). And if you want to know what we think good UX design looks like for the iPad, again, see Square, and really any of the iPad native apps.

  • http://www.chompstack.com/blog/2010/06/02/restaurant-tech-news-roundup-516-531-ipad-reservations-ipad-waiters-interactive-dining-tables/ Restaurant Tech News Roundup 5/16 – 5/31: iPad reservations, iPad waiters, interactive dining tables – Back of House | The ChompStack Blog

    [...] restaurant industry. My main concern, as mentioned in my previous post on the feasibility of using iPads in a restaurant environment, is whether a consumer electronic device can withstand the hazards of a restaurant. Since a [...]

  • Mark Moreno

    Let's face it folks, spin the bottle, where she stops nobody knows. Taking orders on an iPad at the table, giving it to the customer to place their own order, using it as a stationary terminal, or sending the orders down a zip line into the kitchen it's all about the customer. Customers will drive change!

    Steven's pros and cons are very well thought out and articulated. Restaurants will have to measure the pros and cons and wade in acordingly, which at this point would be more of a dive than a wade!

  • KenBurgin

    Screen refresh rate is also important for speedy use – iPad seems to be OK with this.

  • http://www.facebook.com/angelo.cicala Angelo Cicala

    On my restaurant in Peru we have ipad to make order En mi restaurante en Perú TRATTORIA DON ANGELO tambien utilizamos el Ipad para tomar pedidos, envio al restaurante y encima el cliente puede comentar cada plato que ha consumido, tenemos ademas videos de algunos platos realizandose, aca el link con la nota http://www.donangelo.pe/Trattoria_Don_Angelo/Pr...

  • chompstack

    Hey Angelo–
    That's really cool! This discussion actually centers around waiters carrying iPads, not customers using iPads to order, but it looks like a really neat concept.

    Hola Angelo -
    Eso es realmente genial! Esta discusión en realidad se centra en llevar a iPads camareros, no los clientes que utilizan iPads al orden, pero parece un concepto realmente impresionante.

  • Mario V

    and you are dinosaur my friend, the technology adoption is step is step by step, you wont replace all the functionality in one shot and is not neither for all applications

  • chompstack

    Admittedly, I'm not really sure what you're trying to say there, considering that in our last sentence we staunchly advocate for cutting edge technology in restaurants, but I would like to address one part of your comment in particular:

    What kind of dinosaur would you say we are? I've always thought of us as sauropods but perhaps our product name suggests more of a Tyrannosaurus? *chomp chomp*, LOL!

  • Tim

    Check out iPad pos revelup.com

  • http://www.pbsapos.com.au/ POS

    wow,, IPAD can be used as POS.. more convenient and space saving.. :)

  • http://twitter.com/g8kmh g8kmh

    I think there is an iPad for restaurants..

    http://solutions.us.fujitsu.com/downloads/retail/DS_IPAD.pdf

  • Robert M

    The Ipad is definitely something that could enhance the presentation and functionality of the restaurant environment. Weather it be for POS, or just a tool to give your guests a more visual experience when presenting menu items. However we must also respect the fact the this technology is new and we still have not developed a foundation for our expectations. Many of your comments are well thought out and sound like they come from a solid basis in the operations of a restaurant. However, with proper team work and by putting together an intelligent team to spearhead an Ipad solution, one would think that all of these problems could be solved. For example.

    It’s too expensive: Yes this is true, but it is also a business expense which will put you in position for a very nice Tax write off. Also I would assume if you are in business you deal with vendors on a daily basis. Why not offer the vendors the opportunity to have there POS stickers on the device for a one time $100 dollar fee. At $100 it would only take 10 vendors to purchase 2 Ipads at “$500 a pop” and at no cost to the restaurant. This is just a quick example and it comes from me alone. Imagine if you had 10 of your best and brightest working on this solution. You could probably work it out to get a whole lot more.

  • guest

    Revel is selling a stationary ipad pos system for 3000$ plus 100$ a month for hosting.
    Seems like it would work good, but the price is too high.
    For me the idea of using an ipad based system makes me think it should be more affordable.

  • GaryD214

    You can now protect the Apple iPad from theft with the STAYPad security case from Doss Industries.

    More info at http://www.staypad.com

  • Curry Oma

    Nice Utopian view but I must ask, are you on crack? 10 vendors? 10 of my best and brightest?

    The idea of running a restaurant (like any other business) is streamlining – i.e., minimizing the number of vendors and keep headcounts low.

  • Jon

    I see all the problems you've listed. I think there is only one company come close on solving that problem and making iPad Point of Sale great! Check it out http://www.poslavu.com!

  • http://www.mobileposrestaurant.com iPos

    At one of our customers -ForumImages- the mobile iPos program was installed. In a wireless network they work simultaneously with 4 iPad’s and 4 iPod’s. The performance is superb, and this configuration is much more cost effective than any other conventional multi-user POS system. The performance can be tested on your own mobile device. Visit http://www.mobileposrestaurant.com

  • Ryand32

    Have questions, please contact these guys.

    http://www.ontopofitsolutions.com

    These guys do support for $30 an hour.

    Ryan

  • http://security-wire.com/01/how-to-remove-windows-disk-fake-security-program.html remove windows disk

    I can’t agree with your points any more.

  • http://twitter.com/prodders prodders

    GHBS POS is an iPad based, affordable, simple-to-use, web based point of sale (P.O.S.) solution with Business Intelligence (B.I.) features that make it ideal for Restaurants, Guesthouses, Resorts, Hotels, Bars, Nightclubs and Country Clubs.

    This service will put your company on Cruise Control. You can start using this service tomorrow, for 50 euros per month.

    check it out:
    http://www.b-structures.com

  • http://profiles.google.com/juuliusploom Juulius Ploom

    Super looking, totally free POS for IPAD now available from ERply. Super clean interface, very easy to use. Multiple stores, offline use. Brilliant solution for general retail, gift stores, bars, and clubs. Check now : http://www.erply.com/erply-free-point-of-sale-for-ipad-12-now-available-on-apple-itunes/

  • Ipadmovies

    Best blog! Numerous programs to assist you reassign movie files into those formats and http://www.downloadipadmovies.com is the best site to download the iPad movies.

  • Hamish

    Many of your points just aren’t true. Do you have waitstaff experience? iPad esperience?

    They big, but are amazingly lightweight. All solid state, they don’t have vents or fans. With some systems you don’t need online connectivity, just connection thru a wireless router. The entry level model, which is the one that looks best for the use is $500, not $700.

    Maybe Androids are better, I haven’t seen them, and they sound cheaper. Apple is pretty good for reliability and ease of use, but I’ve heard good stuff about Android OS.

  • Christine Meranda

    We write iPad and iPhone apps for a living (check out Paprika Recipe Manager), and I’ve worked as a waitress/busser/manager/cook/bartender in 17 different restaurants over 8 years.

    I’d say the iPad 2 is lighter, but not lightweight. Nobody is claiming the device has a disk drive, just that you can drop it and break it. And we listed the price at $500, but when you factor in Apple Care and cases and potentially a data plan and the building/integration of the POS app, $700 isn’t too crazy. Not that the price can’t come down.

    I think Android would possibly be a better option.

  • http://profiles.google.com/adi100 adi chitayat

    Hi all Check this cool restaurant Ipad menu app:

    http://www.emenu-international.com/iPadMenu
    Or http://www.emenu-international.com

    The company name is Conceptic and it is specialized in touch screen menus for restaurant
    with activity in 9 counties among them UK, Spain, Holland, Slovenia, Israel, Russia…

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Chris-Jacques/588978151 Chris Jacques

    I’ve been thinking of using tablets as menus since the first color e-inks were rumored (and somehow never introduced, good riddance).

    As for wait staff using them, I’m not seeing the Charlie Chaplin thing at all.  The apron hangs from the neck.  What’s going to happen when you put the ipad in a center large pocket?  Nothing.

    There are quite a few thick rubber cases for iPads that would serve to “retail harden” them.

    They are made of metal, with no vents, no moving parts, and a GLASS surface, just like the tables that get wiped down.  If glass is good enough to make food cleanup easy, why not a few fingerprints?

    I agree the price point is a bit much, for that reason I could easily see a plastic case android tablet used instead.  Since the iPad excels at interface, but you’d only be using ONE app for the tablet, it makes the iPad less attractive. 

    A single app on a cheaper, smaller tablet… I could see that being perfect for restaurants.  But I still see iPads working just fine, at a higher cost.  Just think upscale.

  • Miguel

    Hi,

    I’m owner of a small restaurant and the first thought I had when I saw the iPad is POS. Not in the way you explained but having the iPad stationary and using an iPod Touch to carry around.
    Knowing the prices of current PC-based POS systems I can assure that it will be cheaper. The system we are currentlu using did cost us 4000€ 5 years ago. In hardware fixes we paid 2500 more in these 5 years. That makes 6500€ for 5 years of using it.This doesn’t count the days we could not use it because of some software failure.

    For myself… the next system will be iPad/iPod based.

  • PD

    Yeah, it’s 2011 and I’m still having a hard time picking from among all those Android tablets that cost $100. Can you recommend one for me, Steven Chompstack?

  • http://www.facebook.com/jawilliams Jay Williams

    couldn’t many of these functions occur on a touch or iphone instead of ipad? it’s more about an ios pos than the device.

  • Anonymous

    Ipad is a little and fit comfortably in a pocket apron, even if it could get its dominance to take the ramp down. There is a reason most of the cash registers in retail hardened material

  • iPad Point of Sale

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  • Anonymous

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  • Drgonslay1

    most place use iPod for servers and iPad at the host stand.

  • http://www.geminicomputersinc.com/posequipment.html POS Equipment

    Brilliant article guys. 

    Thanks

  • RS

    If I think about using the ipad as a POS system in a restaurant I’m thinking about using it as a cash register (to print receipts, also for the kitchen) only and not let the staff walk around with this big thing of course. Also, put it in a protected stand so nobody can steal it.

    The staff should use an ipod-touch to enter orders in the system connected with the ipad. Just wrap a protective case around it with a leash so that it cannot get lost or stolen so easily. 

    Use a few wireless printers and a cash drawer and you’re set.

    The ipad is a bit expensive, yes, but it’s an apple so it works absolutely flawlessly. The hardware and software won’t fail you. If you buy an expensive “professional” POS system you pay much more and get BS service costs, lots of wires etc. WIFI is not a big problem nowadays, it rarely happens that it fails because of heavy duty equipment but if it does you should of course test it before you purchase. 

    For bigger restaurants you might need a more extensive system but for smaller restaurants I think this is the solution, see below. It’s simple and effective.

    Check this out: http://www.appsolute.be/appsolute/WaiterOne.html 

  • Dbesmer

    The theft factor of the iPad is the EXACT reason why we created Archelon Enclosures.  It’s a commerical grade enclosure that makes sure the iPad doesn’t “grow legs and walk out the front door”.  Check us out at http://www.Archelonenclosures.com.

  • Bill

    Technologies and resulting products are advancing at a rapid rate! Initial cost of course is only part of the equation and every restaurant should carefully consider how they plan to use, manage and maintain their technology investments as well as develop clear goals for their adoption. 

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