As a point of sale (POS) ISV, you can add significant value to the restaurant solutions you provide through kitchen display system (KDS) integration. When a restaurant employee takes an order with your POS software, it can share the information with KDS software, which immediately displays it in the kitchen on one or more relevant screens.
POS-KDS integration automates communication between the front and back of house, increasing speed of service, which, according to research by Gitnux, is important to 89% of diners. Using a KDS also improves order accuracy, which the same study found that 70% of customers consider essential to a good dining experience. Furthermore, the right KDS software helps restaurants prioritize orders – a valuable feature when the restaurant juggles orders from the counter, drive-thru, online order platform, self-service kiosk, and mobile app. The system also helps the kitchen organize its work, increasing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Tessa Kohl, product manager for Epson America, explains, however, that KDS feature sets differ, and the partnership you form will directly impact the value you can offer restaurants in your market. These features, which are included in the newly released version of the TrueOrder™ Kitchen Display System from Epson, can give you a competitive edge.
1. Remote Management and Support
Kohl says a KDS integrated with a remote management and support solution empowers ISVs and enterprise restaurants with centralized control. With this feature, configuring, managing, and updating all devices across a restaurant chain is faster and more cost-effective. Kohl adds that if a restaurant employee calls for assistance, the solution enables screen sharing to make troubleshooting and issue resolution quicker and easier.
Kohl also points out that by adding remote management, ISVs have an opportunity to build recurring revenue and improve customer experiences by providing remote support.
2. Easy Onboarding
Kohl explains that some KDS solutions on the market are quite sophisticated but are complicated to set up, especially for restaurateurs whose staff may have limited technical expertise. On the other hand, there are more basic, app-based systems, but they may lack many of the capabilities that a restaurant needs to operate more efficiently. ISVs will find that the most valuable KDS are designed to deliver both a robust feature set and usability.
“We’ve streamlined the onboarding process to take restaurants from no KDS to a working system in a short time,” says Kohl. TrueOrder is loaded, licensed, and ready to set up when the restaurant receives the solution. The restaurant follows easy instructions to configure the system, for example, to automatically print labels for beverage cups or item wrappers when employees complete their parts of an order.
3. Enhanced Printing and Display
Kohl advises looking for a KDS developed with feedback from restaurants. For example, many KDS solutions print labels with a standard layout, and some don’t support printing from the KDS at all. However, restaurants will have more value from a solution that allows them to customize their label designs, headers, and footers that highlight their brands or include engaging information.
Another feature that restaurants request is the option to control how they display orders. Color-coded orders based on type make them easier for staff to track. A user-friendly KDS lets restaurants control which orders appear on screen – e.g., showing takeout orders while hiding dine-in or pre-scheduled orders. This allows the restaurant to make the best use of the screen, enabling the kitchen to focus on the most important information at the time.
4. POS Integration
A significant benefit to ISVs who choose TrueOrder is integration handled by Epson. “POS ISVs want to be able to focus on their core offering and maintaining their own software,” Kohl says. “Having to build their own custom integration with a KDS can take focus away from that. Our KDS is the ideal solution for them since it allows them to minimize impact on valuable development resources.”
Nothing but the Best
As restaurants adapt to new ways to do business, new consumer behaviors, and increasingly competitive markets, you must provide them with tools that help them meet customer expectations for quick, efficient service. The KDS has become essential in quick service and fast casual restaurants, allowing them to operate a well-run kitchen that prioritizes orders and ensures their accuracy.
Enable your restaurant clients’ success with a KDS that integrates with your POS software and gives them the advantages of remote device management, advanced printing and display capabilities, and streamlined onboarding. Carefully vet KDS options before choosing a partner to ensure you provide your restaurant clients with the user experience and features that will provide them with maximum value.
