Find out why Future POS is a company of "firsts" when it comes to POS innovation
POS Innovation: End-to-End Encryption and Tokenization
Credit card processing can be a sensitive issue for businesses, especially with the threat of compromised security looming in the background of every card swipe. In the age of heightened security standards and PCI compliance, end-to-end encryption has emerged as a secure solution for software providers, business owners and end users.
In order to combat the risk of point-of-sale related security breaches, Future POS has made a name for itself in POS innovation by incorporating end-to-end encryption and tokenization for credit card processing using MagTek's encrypted Magnetic Card Reader and Mercury Payment Systems.
"Removing a merchant from the scope of PCI gives them piece of mind," said President and CEO of Future POS, John Giles. "Instead of worrying about a PCI audit and Visa/MasterCard fines in the hundreds of thousands, owners and managers can focus on running their businesses, which is especially important in a hospitality industry that is more competitive than ever."
So, how does end-to-end encryption work? Mercury injects the card reader with an encryption key that matches the one on their servers. When a credit card is swiped through the MagTek MSR, all of the card data is encrypted. At this point, the data is masked so that it is rendered useless if compromised. This data is only available to the credit card processing servers at Mercury, preventing access from the actual POS system and related security issues.
POS Innovation: Fingerprint Identification
In addition to leading the way in end-to-end encryption, Future POS was also a software pioneer when it became the first hospitality POS to incorporate DigitalPersona's U.are.U fingerprint identification. The U.are.U devices scan employee fingerprints for logins, clock-outs, voids and other pertinent functions.
Why choose fingerprint identification over other login methods? Because it eliminates the need for employee cards and prevents "buddy punching." Not only does this ensure a greater sense of employee accountability, but it also offers businesses a chance to improve productivity and reduce losses. The U.are.U devices are beneficial for managerial purposes because they prevent employees from logging in as supervisors and having access to functions that are reserved for management.
These are only two of the cutting edge contributions Future POS has made in the realm of POS innovation. For a more detailed list of our industry "firsts," check out our New Technology page. You can also read this article from The Point of Sale News about reducing employee theft with fingerprint technology.
Photo Credit: Andres Rueda
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If you're in the pizza business, you know that your point-of-sale needs differ from those of other verticals. For starters, pizzerias often require special delivery options and menu modifications that allow for speedy service and accurate order completion. When the phone is ringing off the hook and orders are flowing in nonstop, employees need a software system that allows them to keep up.
With all of the options available, you may be wondering where to begin your search or how to distinguish between the costs and benefits of competing systems. Before you rush into making system tradeoffs that you may later regret, make sure you read Future POS's pizza point-of-sale checklist.
5 Pizza Point-of-Sale Software System Must-haves
1. Local support
When you're looking for a software provider, it is more beneficial to choose one that operates through a dealer network and not a single corporate location. When it comes to system maintenance and troubleshooting, proximity and after-hours support are two important factors. If you stumble upon a problem that requires a swift resolution, you'll be hard-pressed to find the same degree of service from a corporate entity as you would from a local dealer.
2. Durable hardware
Let's face it -not all pizza shops operate under the same conditions as a pristine, five-star restaurant. While there are definitely high-end pizzerias, there are also smaller establishments with a more rugged appeal. You want to make sure that you purchase hardware that can sustain heavy use, a greasy atmosphere and the occasional spill. For example, Future POS partners with several hardware manufacturers, such as Posiflex and POS-X, which offer quality, durable products. You may even want to select a spill resistant touchscreen as part of your point-of-sale solution.
Check out Posiflex's video, "Can Your POS Solutions Withstand These Torture Tests?"
3. Order tracking and delivery
Another "must" for a pizza point-of sale software system is the ability to track order types, i.e. eat-in, delivery, pick-up. Not only is this useful for reporting purposes, but it also simplifies things for the front-end user. Future POS provides an "Order Type" button, as well as a "Pick-up Pay Now"/"Pick-up Pay Later" option.
For the pizza industry, delivery orders have obvious significance; therefore, you want to make sure that your point-of-sale system has the necessary delivery features. While you're searching, ask yourself these questions: Does the system allow me to assign orders to drivers? Does it maintain customer contact information? Does it track the minutes that have elapsed since the order was placed? Future POS does all of this and more through its dispatch screen, and it also allows for pre-orders by offering hour/day delays.
4. Software features
Aside from selecting a pizza point-of-sale software system with robust hardware, you should also be on the lookout for certain software features. If you've already decided against providing your delivery drivers with GPS devices, then you may want to consider an interface to Microsoft MapPoint for directions. Future POS also provides a free interface to Quick Books, Caller ID, and frequent diner and coupon options -all features that can prove to be very beneficial for your business.
5. Easy-to-use screens
When you're looking for a pizza point-of-sale software system, usability is essential. The easier the system is to use, the faster your orders can be accurately entered and processed. Another thing to look for is the level of flexibility you have when it comes to screen columns. Future POS offers multi-column modifiers, which save your employees the hassle of having to click from screen to screen or search for buttons on different menus. You can include up to six columns to choose crusts, toppings, sauces, etc. Take a look at our example pizza dataset, shown below.
Click here to read a testimonial about how Future POS helped to streamline operations for Cemeno's Pizza in Joliet, Illinois.
Photo Credit: rob_rob2001
If you're a business owner, you may be well aware of the more obvious benefits of a POS system. Research and testimonials emphasize the potential cost savings, increased profits, and advanced ordering processes that POS software makes possible. However, did you know that with POS video surveillance integration, you can actually protect your business from theft?
With Future POS, you can use ordinary web cameras and our built-in surveillance module to boost your business's security and to reduce losses. You can also monitor your business with event-driven video and real time surveillance.
But how does POS video surveillance work? -resized-600.jpg)
It's simple, and you have options. With Future POS's interfaces to Remote Eyes and Ready Distribution's Talon DVR, you can set up cameras in multiple locations, such as the office, parking lot, and kitchen, to ensure a higher level of overall security. With this interface, you can monitor suspicious activity from a remote location, giving you more flexibility when it comes to theft prevention. Or, if you decide against the fully featured surveillance system, you can still use your Future POS surveillance module and a simple web camera to track certain transactions and to receive text insertion on back-of-house PC.
Can POS video surveillance really prevent theft?
Yes! One of our local installs experienced the benefits of our software's surveillance integration when a burglar attempted to disable their security camera. Geral Rumberg, owner of The Longhorn Corral Motel Saloon Restaurant, was able to identify the man who attempted to steal $300 from his business, all thanks to a surveillance video. You can read the full story here. Other business owners have also used Future POS's built-in surveillance module to catch dishonest employees. By tracking and recording voids, clock-ins, clock-outs, etc., you have the upper hand when it comes to operations management.
What if I can't afford POS video surveillance?
If you're on a budget, no worries. You can purchase an off the shelf web camera for around $20-$30, and Future POS can integrate it to capture numerous events. After attaching the camera to your POS terminal, you can view what the camera is seeing from your own back office. This is a great option if you are just getting started with surveillance, and you aren't looking to spend a lot of money on a fully integrated system right away. Eventually, you may decide that total surveillance integration, like our interface to Remote Eyes or Talon DVR, is worth the investment.
How can I learn more about POS video surveillance?
If you'd like to find out more about Future POS's interface to Remote Eyes, take a look at our online feature demo. You can also read this article from Restaurant Report that highlights the benefits of integrating your POS system with video surveillance. The National Restaurant Association estimates that restaurants lose $20 billion annually due to internal theft; don't become part of the statistic, and take advantage of POS video surveillance today.
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With all of the advanced capabilities of modern POS systems, utilizing every single available feature might be overwhelming, if not impossible. Some business owners may not even be aware of the vast array of benefits available in their very own software.
That being said, we wanted to highlight some of our unique features that can be extremely beneficial to customers, but that may be overlooked. You may even find yourself saying "I didn't know my Future POS system did that!"
Stay updated with text/email alerts
This is an innovative feature that could potentially save owners a significant amount of time and money. With Future Fusion, you can ensure that you are always in the know when it comes to your business operations by choosing to receive mobile text or email alerts. These notifications can inform you of excessive voids or "No Sales," labor costs, sales data, and other relevant information. For example, if a text informs you that sales are low but that labor his high, you can make the necessary adjustments right from your current location.
Simplify scheduling with your Future POS system
If you haven't already taken advantage of our advanced scheduling feature, now is the time to start. Instead of manually writing out a weekly schedule, you can use your Future POS system to control labor and prevent employees from clocking-in early or clocking-out late. With our schedule maintenance, you have the option to categorize employees by job code (server, bartender, cook, etc.) and by week. Shifts can be edited, added and deleted based on the individual business, and employee availability can also be incorporated. If your schedule stays the same, with the exception of a few minor tweaks, we can copy the schedule from week to week. Another great aspect of this feature is the ability to view schedules from the front of house and then print it based on different criteria.
Increase revenue with Smart Tax
This is yet another useful selling point for restaurant and bar owners that can be used to boost sales. Haven't heard of Smart tax? I'll walk you through an example...
Typically, food and beverages are taxed separately for reporting purposes. But let's say someone comes into your bar and orders a $3.00 beer. Since a lot of owners don't want to deal with pennies, they will absorb the tax. So sales are $2.80, tax collected is $0.20, and the total put in the drawer is $3.00. This is called inclusive tax, meaning that the tax is included in with the price of the beverage at the bar.
Now, let's say the customer orders a sandwich. Regardless of its price, we can now tell Future POS to change this entire sale from inclusive tax to exclusive tax--the system knows that there is food on the check, and will charge accordingly. So now the beer is $3.00 plus tax. We have just made the bar $0.20 in revenue by reverting the tax structure at the bar from inclusive to exclusive!
Satisfy customers with online ordering
This interface is extremely beneficial for generating increased business exposure and for providing an added level of convenience to your customers. Did you know that if you don't already have a website, Future POS web design experts can make one for you? 
Customers can view your entire menu online and then place their order directly from their computer. We will provide you with real time automatic inventory updates and item management, and then you can control all website content. All orders are securely processed by your in-store Future POS system, and our servers even have the ability to process credit card transactions.
For an example of our online ordering interface, take a look at Lombardi's Italian Kitchen.
Hopefully I've exposed you to some of the innovative options you have when you purchase our software. Now that you're aware of the possibilities, you're one step closer to getting the most out of your Future POS system.
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If you're looking to stay current on all of the latest point-of-sale industry news and innovations, make sure you check out these retail and hospitality tradeshows in 2012.
International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York
Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York, NY (March 4-6th)
This tradeshow prides itself in being the only New York event that is completely dedicated to the restaurant and foodservice industries. Aside from being a great networking opportunity for restaurateurs, this three-day tradeshow also features live culinary demonstrations, an ultimate barista challenge, an educational foodservice forum, and a special wine sampling expo.
Nightclub & Bar Show
Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV (March 13-14th)
This high-energy tradeshow features all of the hottest trends of the nightclub and bar industry. Attendees can experience the best of Vegas nightlife via the tradeshow's Platinum Parties at XS, Marquee and TAO. The event also consists of the Shake It Up "Creative Cocktail Challenge," one of the largest bartending competitions, and a free kick-off party at Caesars Palace. With over 600 top suppliers showing off the latest drink products, this show is a must for anyone in the bar point-of-sale industry.
National Restaurant Show
McCormick Place, Chicago, IL (May 5-8th)
This restaurant tradeshow promises to offer guests "innovative approaches" and "smarter ideas" when it comes to foodservice operations. The multi-faceted event features business solutions for numerous categories, including equipment, training, tableware, supplies and technology. Guests can schedule 30-minute consultations with design experts, attend celebrity book signings, and listen to the show's special keynote presentation by former President Bill Clinton.
Southwest Foodservice Expo
Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, TX (June 24-25th)
Produced by the Texas Restaurant Association, this expo is the Southwest's largest foodservice show. 2012 marks the event's 75th anniversary, and it is estimated that over 650 exhibiting companies will be in attendance. Hospitality and point-of-sale industry professionals can participate in free panel discussions and education sessions, and experience cooking demonstrations by leading chefs in the culinary showcase.
RetailNOW 2012
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, NV (July 29-August 1st)
RetailNOW is the premier event for members of the retail technology industry. Run by the RSPA, this annual convention focuses on educating retail professionals about emerging technologies and business trends. Company leaders have the opportunity to build name recognition by giving presentations on relevant, noteworthy issues. When it comes to the point-of-sale industry, RetailNOW is a must attend for resellers and vendors.
Visit our Facebook page to see photos from past Future POS tradeshows!
Advancements in handheld technology are changing the way that the hospitality industry operates. The days of wait staff taking customer orders with a pen and notepad are coming to an end, and restaurateurs are beginning to take advantage of portable devices in their business operations. Why? Here are 8 reasons to use handhelds with your restaurant POS system.
1. Efficiency Servers can stay on the floor without having to enter orders at a POS terminal. This saves them time and makes the entire ordering process more efficient.
2. Verification Orders can be verified right in front of your guests, allowing time for changes to be made and eliminating the likelihood of errors.
3. Security With Credit at Table Service (CATS), available with Future Fusion, customers can swipe their credit cards right from their table. This ensures tighter security, and provides peace of mind to your customers.
4. Information Access Reports and other important information can be viewed right from the handheld device. This simplifies managerial decision making, and allows you to oversee your business from other locations.
5. Cost Savings Not only has the cost of handhelds decreased, but ordering via portable devices results in fewer errors and less wasted inventory. Servers can also cover more tables, which can ultimately lead to lower labor costs.
6. Higher Sales By using handhelds with your restaurant POS system, your staff can dedicate more time to actually selling your menu items and less time to taking orders. Customers may also be more apt to order additional food and drinks, since they don't have to wait as long for servers to travel back and forth between POS terminals.
7. Tableside Printing By incorporating a wireless printer, your handhelds allow you to print checks, coupons, frequent diner information, and other marketing promotions right at the table. This is a major convenience factor, and it redirects your business focus from the POS terminal to the customer. 
8. Flexibility A bar or restaurant POS system integrated with handheld technology offers a higher degree of flexibility, especially when it comes to connecting multiple business operations. Read this Future POS case study to find out how handhelds helped to link the box office and food/beverage sales of a Chicago comedy club.
For more information on handheld technology, click here to download our informational handout.
Photo Credits: The Point of Sale News
Ever wonder if your business is too small to support advanced software technology? Or maybe you're concerned that your venue is too big to be managed by a single point-of-sale provider.
Whether it's a local mom-and-pop or a national corporation, any size of business stands to benefit from point-of-sale software. Here at Future POS, we pride ourselves in our unique installs, so we'd like to share some of them with you!
University of Dayton Arena -Dayton, OH
When it comes to sports and entertainment venues, food and beverage sales are a critical component in boosting profits. After shopping around and comparing alternatives, the University of Dayton decided on Future POS software for its sports arena.
During basketball games and other special events, the complex runs 66 point-of-sale terminals. With nearly 14,000 seats, this arena was no ordinary install.
After having the Future POS system installed for an entire season, Rocky Houck, the Assistant Arena Director, confirmed that the volunteer groups responsible for operating the system loved its layout.
For large facilities like the Dayton Arena, it is important that operations run smoothly, especially on crowded game nights. Employees need to be able to use point-of-sale terminals in an efficient manner, and this specific install illustrates that user-friendly aspect of our software.
Diamond Nails Salon -Butler, PA
Although it may not be the first type of business to pop into your head when thinking about software and technology, beauty salons can also reap the benefits of point-of-sale systems.
One of Future POS's small, local installs is Diamond Nails Salon, which operates on only one terminal. This business has utilized our dataset customization to create a unique screen layout featuring manicure, pedicure, nail art, and color change options. There is also an Appointments button, allowing the salon to keep track of its clientele schedule.
You can check out our Facebook page for examples of other customized datasets.
Sioux Falls Arena -Sioux Falls, SD
Another example of one of our larger installs is the Sioux Falls Arena in South Dakota. This 8,000-seat facility required nineteen terminals, seven handhelds, and eight 42" digital signage displays. Along with Dakota Retail Technologies, Future POS received the 2011 Innovative Solutions Award for Best ISV/VAR Collaboration. Thanks to the capabilities of Future Fusion, our team was able to provide the arena with a customized inventory piece.
Take a look at this video, which highlights the collaboration's success.
The Sioux Falls Arena install is a great example of how Future POS's digital signage module provided an innovative solution for a venue looking to embrace new technology and modernization.
Paws-itive Experience Pet Services, LLC -Rockaway, NJ
If you think that point-of-sale software is only relevant for the hospitality industry, think again. One of our dealers installed Future POS in a doggie daycare and pet services company called Paws-itive Experience. Instead of a customer file, we created a "dog" file that allows account and payment information to be assigned to each dog! Future POS also provided "dog" time, which keeps track of when a dog is checked-in and picked-up.
Compared to Paws-itive's old file system, our software offered a faster, more efficient solution. This is just one example of how Future POS can incorporate customization to better fit the specific needs of a business.
Hopefully these examples have provided you with some valuable insight when it comes to the possibilities that a point-of-sale system can provide. If you're thinking of purchasing software for a large event venue, take a look at our Stadiums & Entertainment page. You can also check out some of our case studies to see how Future POS has helped other unique installs.
Photo Credits: Sonnett, HGruber
If you're a business owner, you undoubtedly recognize the value of repeat purchases from your customers. What you might not realize is that your point-of-sale system can be a critical component in fostering customer loyalty.
With Future POS, you can tie a specific purchase to a specific customer. This not only establishes the foundation of your business relationship, but it also provides you with endless opportunities to grow your profits. Here are some key points to help you get started!
Keep track of relevant customer information 
Make sure that you are utilizing your point-of-sale system to track and store relevant information about your customers. This can include the customer’s first and last name, phone number (s), address, and email. Depending on your business, you may also want to take note of birthdays, anniversary dates, and specific eating preferences (i.e., if your customer is a vegetarian, has a certain food allergy, etc.).
Conduct an analysis
Now that you’ve stored all of this valuable data using your point-of-sale system’s customer program, you need to analyze the information in order to move forward. Brainstorm a list of opportunities that will allow you to reach out to customers. For example, you could focus on those customers who haven't visited your business in the last 6 months, customers in a certain demographic group, or customers who spend "x" amount of dollars/month.
Select meaningful output options
If your point-of-sale system is integrated with some form of mobile loyalty program, you can target your most profitable customers and send out promotional offers and rewards. You can also implement a frequent diner rewards program to capture repeat business. For example, Future POS software allows you to print a message at the bottom of receipts that indicates where your customer stands in relation to your frequent dining program. You can link your customers to certain loyalty plans, track the dollars they've spent, and record the number of times they've repeated that purchase.
Other useful output options that are available with Future POS include spending reports, mailing labels, Constant Contact, iContact, and standard email messaging.
Measure your results
Once you've taken the time to analyze your information and reach out to customers, you should measure your results. How? You can run a back office report of the "Dollars Spent Since Date" for your target market, or even conduct a survey to find out which frequent diner or loyalty rewards your customers find to be the most valuable. Regardless of the method you choose, just make sure to focus on actionable metrics that will actually allow you to improve your success rate.
Try and try again!
If you’re still having trouble with your loyalty program, try selecting one of the different output alternatives. It might start out as a trial and error process, but once you’ve established the right criteria, you’ll be on your way to generating positive customer feedback and repeat purchases.
For more information on Future POS software highlights that can improve the way you do business, visit our Products page.
Photo Credit: Dell
Worried that new mobile apps, like ATX Innovation's TabbedOut, may be too complicated for your customers? Rest assured as we break payment down into 5 simple steps.
With all of the advancements in mobile technology and smartphones, some restaurateurs may be skeptical of implementing new forms of digitalization into their daily operations. As a business owner, how do you select among the wide variety of applications that claim to save you time and money, especially when it comes to point-of-sales data?
One method may be to focus on the mobile apps that are easy for your customers to use and that are already integrated into your current restaurant POS software. For example, ATX Innovation's TabbedOut app can link directly to Future POS software, allowing your customers to open, review, and settle their bar or restaurant tabs.
Still sound complicated? I'll walk you through it with 5 easy-to-follow steps.
1. Download the FREE TabbedOut app from your iPhone App Store or Android Market
(Open your store or market and search for TabbedOut. It comes up right away and only takes a few seconds to install.)
2. Follow the set-up wizard to safely enter and store your payment source
(The app will have you enter your credit card information, which is then encrypted for security.)
3. Click the 'Locations' tab and search for a business by City and State
(TabbedOut will list the business address, phone number, hours of operation, accepted methods of payment, etc.)
4. Select the 'Open Tab' icon and show the code that appears on your phone to your server
(After this step, your tab is officially open, and you can continue to place your order as normal.)
5. When you're finished, enter a tip amount, select the specific card you'd like to use, and hit 'Pay Tab'
(Under your 'Preferences', you can even opt to have your TabbedOut receipts sent to your email!)
The TabbedOut mobile app is quick and easy for customers to use, and it allows you as the business owner to offer a flexible payment option that is already integrated into your Future POS software.
With hundreds of installs, Future POS was the FIRST to incorporate TabbedOut smartphone technology. If you're looking for examples of how other businesses have taken advantage of the app, check out Entrepreneur magazine's feature on Bocktown Beer and Grille.
For more information about using TabbedOut with your own Future POS software, check out the FAQs for Merchants page.
Photo Credit: Nik Hewitt
Envision a 46" flat screen TV behind your bar. On the TV, a video is playing of a new beer being slowly poured into a tall, icy beer mug. Maybe this beer is new to your menu, or maybe it is one of your most profitable sellers. Either way, you decide to show this video during optimal business hours, when your customer's intent to purchase is at its prime.
All of sudden, without any advertising dollars spent, sales for that beer are up 16 %.
Sound too good to be true? Think again. Digital signage has been shown to increase profits, drive customer satisfaction, and enhance pricing flexibility.
Future POS's new Digital Signage module allows restaurants and bars to display advertisements, specials, videos, and more---all free of charge! Using popular file formats, such .JPG or .GIF, your customized content playlist can be scheduled to run monthly, weekly, or even daily.
Whether your goal is to promote a new menu item or to grow sales revenue from a weekly special, digital signage provides you with a state of the art, customizable solution. Does your food or drink menu frequently change? Future POS's digital menuboards feature "live" menu updates for your convenience.
Contact your Future POS dealer today and find out how you can make Digital Signage work for your business!