How your restaurant POS can benefit from API integrations
First and foremost lets define what API is. API (Application Program Interface) is software that lets applications to perform specific functions required for the whole system to operate smoothly and efficiently. There are two types-an open API is publicly available for developers to access and create innovative applications that enhance their core product, while a private API is hosted with in-house developers.
Lets put this into perspective for you, since we all aren’t as tech saavy. When you open an app like Uber it’s open API platform integrates with Google Maps for navigation to create a seamless end-to-end user experience. Then on the other side of it, Ubers open API platform allows for third-party developers to integrate Uber into their solutions-Requesting a ride is easy with the Uber API. Ride requests can be made on behalf of Uber Riders – your registered app will authenticate the rider with Uber and will have to get certain permissions from the rider to start making requests on his/her behalf. You can even customize your own company branding.
While API integrations are widely used , there has been limitations within the Point of Sale (POS) system integration. However, it is becoming increasingly important within the enterprise. POS systems allows restaurants and other similar organizations to effectively manage operating tasks –from reservation requests, to delivery services and printing receipts to swiping a credit/debit card and entering credentials on a pinpad.
So lets talk about the benefits of open API.
Customize your restaurants POS
You can easily customize your POS platform to fit the needs of your business with an open API. Tech savvy clients with programming knowledge can build onto the existing software platform, create new account features or even build new products altogether.
Customer Engagement
Implementing an open API system is a key part of a customer retention strategy. APIs enable a personalized, seamless experience for the customers and allow for them to interact with your business in a new and unique way. By integrating customer relationship management (CRM) applications into your existing Point of Sale platform, your POS becomes more than just a place where a sale is made, instead it’s a comprehensive customer management platform.
Each integrated service can link together the customer journey: from capturing customer information and creating meaningful customer segments to deploying email marketing and mobile loyalty programs.
Connecting FOH & BOH operations
With an open API Point of Sale platform, you can also close the gap between your front of house and back of house. Linking both the technologies will allow you to streamline your services from accounting, and inventory to CRM and scheduling and reporting.
Connecting the two will allow for your guest experience and kitchen services to work together to effectively increase your productivity and quality of service.
Historically there have bee extra costs involved with integrating your POS from the start-where POS companies are charging you to allow for the integration to the various apps that will benefit your business. We’ve got good news, because PointOS wants your POS to operate in a way that works for your business they will set you up to integrate with any API you wish-you will just need to check on the costs for the features from the third party.
Remember it’s a must have in this day and age that POS systems must be integrated with other applications within an organization’s technology stack. Failure to integrate the POS system with existing technology can lead to time consuming, inefficient processes that will negatively effect your bottom line.
Like our stories or want to hear more? Drop us a line @ Blogpointos@gmail.com.
See you next week!
Your devoted hostess,
Brittany