SaaS (short for software as a service) is an acronym that gets tossed around a lot these days. SaaS solutions power businesses as diverse as restaurants and aquariums, and tackle a huge range of problems faced across every industry you can imagine.
For restaurants with robust SaaS point-of-sale systems delivered from the cloud, management has never been easier. SaaS solutions increase productivity, reduce confusion, and allow you to analyze more data than ever before.
But how exactly does SaaS benefit your restaurant? Let’s take a peek at ten key areas SaaS systems are simply superior to old-school PoS management solutions.
1. Speed
Working with new software can be hard enough, but PoS systems have a tendency to be very finicky when you’re first getting started. Dealing with older programs means spending much more time training staff and troubleshooting errors—time better spent in other areas of your business.
On the other hand, SaaS solutions are ready to go right out of the gate. For SaaS, getting started means connecting to the internet—that’s it. Any device with a connection is your new potential command center. And if you lose internet access, don’t worry; SaaS easily saves your data to re-sync later once your internet connection is restored.
2. Lack of Infrastructure
Older software systems required specialized hardware and hiring IT support out of your own pocket. SaaS systems are overseen by your software vendor, trimming down on your infrastructure once and for all.
3. Access Anywhere, Anytime
Have internet access? Then you have total access to your full suite of restaurant management tools—whether you’re on your phone or sitting at your office computer. Finally, you can get down to business whenever and wherever you need to.
4. Safety and Security
Running a restaurant, should digital security and protecting your data from hackers really be at the top of your to-do list? Shouldn’t your software provider take care of that for you? Well, SaaS vendors do—so get back to your business and leave the security to us.
5. Easy Upgrades
Older PoS systems usually require tons of manual updates and patches to keep everything running (relatively) smoothly. With restaurants needing to run multiple programs to cover all of their needs, the update process can turn into a huge quagmire. Luckily, SaaS solutions are delivered from the cloud, and you’ll always get the latest version without any extra effort on your part.
6. Ease of Use
Since SaaS systems are delivered through your web browser, you and your employees will be able to access all of your PoS data with a familiar and easy-to-use platform, cutting down training time and growing pains as your crew adapts to the new system.
7. Simple Backups and Recovery
Forgetting just one crucial data backup can cost you days or weeks of important business information. Luckily, SaaS solutions keep your data backed up and secured in the cloud, ready for retrieval in case of an emergency.
8. Guaranteed Service
Running into major issues with an older PoS system could mean sending your business back to the Stone Age. You could never really know when your system would be back online, and it’s not a great feeling—trust us, we’ve been there before.
Because your software can’t just take a break whenever it feels like, SaaS vendors offer guaranteed up-time for their programs—meaning your PoS system is always ready to work with you, not against you.
9. Affordability
Even though SaaS solutions are a big upgrade from clunkier older systems, they don’t have to be expensive. That’s because switching to a cloud-based PoS system means getting rid of a handful (or even dozens) of different programs by consolidating their features into one product.
Rather than paying big lump sums every time you want a new program or feature, SaaS systems operate on smaller monthly fees—meaning you don’t need to gamble on software that may or may not be right for you.
10. Partnerships Meant to Last
The biggest difference between SaaS and traditional software really boils down to customer service. Because SaaS solutions are built on a subscription model, SaaS providers are incentivized to keep innovating, building, and providing incredible customer support.
We’ve been on the other side of the fence before, stuck with slow, difficult software that caused more problems than it solved. That’s why Aluvii builds PoS solutions businesses want, with the benefits your restaurant needs. It’s PoS software, reinvented.