Five POS Systems with the Best Customer Service
POS systems are an instrumental part of running a restaurant. When you purchase a system, you want to be confident that you're buying a reliable system that comes with the support you need to operate it correctly and help you if the unexpected occurs.
Your operations depend heavily on your POS system, so easy setup, training, and ongoing support are valuable aspects to consider when shopping around for a system. In this article, we'll share details on POS systems with the best customer service support to ensure your daily operations run smoothly.
5. Square
Pros
Square offers POS systems for various business types, including restaurants. This POS is built to streamline front-of-house and back-of-house operations and covers quick service, full service, fast casual, bars, and ghost kitchens. The company's POS system is marketed as quick and straightforward to set up.
Cons
However, there are costs for implementation services to assist with setup and tailoring the system to your restaurant, since it’s not a POS solely for restaurant establishments.
Additionally, Square POS offers levels of technical support that vary depending on your service plan. Free plans are limited, receiving phone and email support Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST, while Plus and Premium users receive 24/7 support via phone and email.
4. Lightspeed
Pros
According to Lightspeed, you can likely complete setup on your own for simple POS systems, such as an iPad. For more complex operations, the company suggests you seek assistance from a POS vendor.
Onboarding services include training, product setup, data migration, and more. New Lightspeed customers can receive personal training for free.
Pro and Plus plan subscribers receive dedicated one-on-one support for strategic planning, consultations, and API access. The customer service team is available by chat and phone.
Cons
Lightspeed offers a line of POS systems for retail, restaurants, and golf courses, so it’s not a “restaurant-first” POS. Its restaurant POS does support different types of restaurants, such as bars, clubs, cafes, hotels, quick service, and full service.
While it offers lots of support for higher-tiered plans, those with more basic plans may have to figure things out for themselves.
3. Clover
Pros
Clover POS systems serve the restaurant, retail, service, and e-commerce industries. For restaurants, Clover has solutions for quick and full service.
You can install your system yourself within minutes using their quick-start guides. Customer support is also available 24/7 via phone and email.
Cons
Again, it’s not a restaurant-only POS, so there may be a lack of restaurant-specific functionality options.
There are also some drawbacks to self-installation. The Payment Card Industry has strict rules to protect cardholder data, and the configuration of POS networks must adhere to these rules. This can pose a challenge to restaurant owners who may not have expertise in IT. So, what if a self-installer plugs their POS system into any existing router (or even guest-accessible wifi 😱)? This is a huge liability since cardholder data is easily compromised that way.
For an additional fee, you can contact their third-party installation and support services provider for hands-on help, but you’ll have to work those costs into your plan pricing.
2. Toast
Pros
Toast's POS systems are designed specifically for restaurants. This includes food trucks, bars, quick service, full service, and more. Upfront costs for hardware and implementation vary depending on the hardware package and installation needs.
Each plan includes an over-the-phone installation, over-the-phone network configuration, and 24/7 customer support via phone, email, and live chat. Toast has articles and guides available to walk customers through hardware setup and say they have designed the process to take roughly 30 minutes to complete.
Cons
Same as above, but Toast doesn’t even offer third-party installation for a fee, which means you’re left to hire someone on your own. Hiring a networking expert to do things the right way can get pricey.
1. VersiPOS
Pros
VersiPOS is made specifically for restaurants, including bars, nightclubs, and cafes. And we hate to toot our own horn, but VersiTech's VersiPOS system has the best customer service. VersiPOS’s sales and installation teams are made up of people with extensive restaurant-industry experience. By utilizing their expertise and conducting on-site surveys, they are able to assess, set up, and customize the POS system to meet the unique needs of your business. .
VersiTech’s localized dealers are high-touch, in-person, and responsive. They provide you and your staff with an intensive training to ensure you get the most out of your system. Whether you need new customizations or help troubleshooting an issue, they're there to help over the phone or in person, anytime you call.
Cons
Customized set-up takes time, so it may not be as fast. But when you’re opening a restaurant, do you want it done fast, or do you want it done right? When your staff and your kitchen depend on your POS system, the answer is pretty obvious.
When operating a restaurant, you want technology that's easy to set up, use, learn, and comes with reliable support. Our dealers go above and beyond to ensure that VersiPOS is customized to meet your particular needs and that you're comfortable operating it. So if you're ready to order up efficiency and streamline integrations for your restaurant, contact us to learn how VersiTech can help.