Business Software Solutions gets several requests a week from our customers for features that they would like to see in our software. Sometimes these requests are for additional functionality and some are simply features our customers would like to see to make their job a little bit easier. While many large POS companies would not give these requests a second thought or charge thousands of dollars to make the change, BSS listens.

We continually improve our product.

Recently, BSS was approached by a large frozen yogurt chain that was interested in using our software. While our TouchPOS product was designed to sell items by weight in this type of environment, this customer had a specific need. They wanted to weigh multiple items at a time and subtract tare weight for the number of containers they were selling. BSS saw this as a valuable feature to add to our software. Within a week our engineers were able to customize our software to meet this demand.

We see our customers as a resource.

While it is not possible for us to add every feature request to the software, we recognize that our customers are a great resource. Our Business Plus Accounting software is a high quality software package because of the feedback of our customers. Over time, implementing features based on customer feedback has been critical to the growth and acceptance of our software.

We listen to customers needs.

Since Business Software Solutions was started in 1989 we have been committed to meeting the demands of our customers. While our focus has shifted from customized business software to providing high quality POS systems, our commitment to meeting these demands remains the same. Our technicians have the ability to post any customer request to our inner-office website that is reviewed by our engineers on a regular basis. The more customers that request certain functionality, the more valuable it is to add to our software. We are also committed to adding features that are absolutely necessary for our customers. If a customer has a feature that they absolutely must have, we can give that customer a quote while they’re on the phone and typically finish the engineering within 2 weeks.

So the big question is, how well does your POS company listen?

The BPA software is very flexible when it comes to setting up coupons. The system comes with a predefined coupon product. By simply adding a menu button using this product, you can discount the order by whatever dollar amount you prefer. You can also create your own predefined coupons that deduct a specific amount. If you have a coupon for $10 you can simply set up a new product with the price as -$10. But what if you are using Groupons, City Deals, or Restaurant.com coupons and you want to track them separately? These simple steps will guide you through the process:

More...

The end of the year is always a busy time for restaurant owners. Ensuring all your tax and sales data is in order can be a daunting task. In this guide, we’ll discuss reports that are available to help you to close out your accounting year.

1) Un-archiving

Before we start pulling reports, you will want to make sure the system is using all the data for the entire year. BPA is designed to archive sales information after a certain period; this allows the software to run smoothly. Occasionally, if these settings are changed, they will cause inaccurate reports for the entire year. To verify your archive settings go to Restaurant System>Manager Functions>Misc. Definitions. Select the Business System option on the left. In the right, you will see several headings; scan down until you see Data archival.

Here you will see a section with your data archive settings. Depending on which reports you need to access will determine which archive settings you may need to change. The business system reports and monthly and yearly sales reports are controlled by the top option – Archive Sales Order Records After ‘XXXX’ days. Most of the restaurant reports will be controlled by the Archive POS Sales Records After ‘XXXX’ days option.

More...

In this day and age it can be difficult to hire staff that is completely trustworthy. We receive calls from restaurant owners all the time that have just realized that they have had employees stealing from them for a year or more and they did not realize it until it was too late. Even if you believe you have staff that you can fully trust, your restaurant may be presenting a huge temptation for dishonesty. The restaurant industry provides a huge opportunity for employees to handle and pocket cash and manipulate orders. Typically if there is a way to be dishonest, an employee will figure it out. So how can you safeguard yourself from being taken advantage of? Here are a few simple steps.

1) Use Security Options In Your POS System

Most, if not all, POS systems come with security features built in. If you are not using them, start now. Everyday functions in your POS system present a way to steal. Functions such as reprinting a receipt, removing items or orders, splitting tickets, and comping and discounting can all be used by an employee to pocket cash. Although it may be an inconvenience to your manager to have to approve these functions, it could save you a large amount of money in the end.

2) Review Security Reports Regularly

Your POS system should be able to report any time an order is removed, comped, or discounted. Check these reports often to make sure this in not happening regularly. Also check to make sure there is not a pattern to these reports and that you don’t see the majority of the activity coming from one employee.

3) Use Swipe Cards Instead of Passwords

POS systems typically have an option to allow an employee to use a secure function either by using a manually entered manager password or a manager swipe card. Using manual passwords works fine but sooner or later someone is going to watch you close enough to find out your password. Using manager swipe cards solves this issue. You must be there with your card to approve the particular function they are trying to access.

Swipe cards should not only be used for managers but for employees logging in as well. By allowing your servers to manually log into the system you allow the opportunity for employees to clock each other in and out and put orders in under another person’s ID. This can be a huge security hole. Set up employee login cards for each of your employees. This way you can make sure that they alone are responsible for their own orders.

If you are a BPA customer and would like to know more about using these features please call our technical support at (801) 336-3303. If your POS system does not support these functions and you are interested in a system that allows you to secure your business please visit www.businessoftware.com or call us at (801) 336-3303.

Summary

The number one thing that our technicians are asked once our customers have their system programmed is “How do I close out my POS System at the end of the day.” This guide will walk you through the process of running your end of day reports and closing out your BPA restaurant system. Below is a list of functions that you will want to make sure you run every day. This guide also contains optional steps for gathering additional information from the system.

More...

The following features have been added to the Business Plus Accounting software packages:

Restaurant Pro, Delivery Pro, and Retail Touch POS Customers

As you may know, within Business Plus Accounting, you can specify different colors of your menu items.  However, depending on the color you choose, it may be difficult to read the text on the button.  With our latest update, we now automatically change the text color on the button to black or white, depending on the button color you choose. 

More...

In 2010, we sent emails to all of our customers (using the email address we have on file) explaining that your POS system will need to be updated to be in compliance with PCI standards. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) was created to ensure that information on their credit card accounts will be protected from fraud.

If you have not received this PCI update from Business Software Solutions, please give us a call as soon as possible to schedule an update.

Note:  Though you may have received PCI updates from your credit card merchant, if you have not received the update for your Business Plus Accounting software, you are not in compliance with PCI Standards.

An update is available for Restaurant Pro and Delivery Pro customers.  We have made changes to the layout of the Daily Sales and Tips Report/Server Sales and Tips Report.  This article will walk you through the new layout of the Daily Sales and Tips Report for Restaurant POS customers,  and the Server Sales and Tips Report for Restaurant Delivery POS customers.

More...

We have noticed that many states are changing their sales tax rates this summer.  The following will walk you through how to change the default sales tax rate in BPA:

For Restaurant/Delivery POS Customers

• Go to Business System -->Definitions-->Sales Tax Table
• In the section for Sales Tax, for Tax Code 1, enter the new tax rate
• Press Save and Exit when finished

For Retail POS Customers

• Go to Definitions-->Sales Tax Table
• In the section for Sales Tax, for Tax Code 1, enter the new tax rate
• Press Save and Exit when finished

There are many ways to setup coupons in the Business Plus Accounting POS software package. Using the Define Menu Items option in Manager Functions, coupons can be added to one of the tabs in your sales screen.  The following are examples of how to setup coupons:

More...