To maximize the benefits of digital technology, restaurants need to tackle the challenge of cash management. By integrating an appropriate payment solution with your cash register software, you can save time, enhance business management, and provide new services to boost customer satisfaction.

Cash register software is central to restaurant management, handling everything from table and order management to employee coordination, customer interactions, invoicing, and payments. Ensuring your POS software is certified is crucial, as it is a legal requirement. Since January 1, 2018, regulations mandate that merchants using cash registers, cash management software, or complete cash register systems must possess a certificate of conformity. This certificate must be provided by the system's publisher or an accredited entity.

It's important to note that not all market certifications are state-recognized. To comply with the finance law effective January 1, 2018, certificates of conformity must meet specific standards. Recognized certifications include:

1. The NF525 standard is issued by the French Standardization Association (AFNOR).
2. Certification for cash register systems is provided by the National Metrology and Testing Laboratory (LNE).

More and more restaurants are adopting tablets to streamline and expedite order-taking in the dining area, transmitting the data directly to the kitchen. These order PADs, also known as server remote controls, enable orders to be recorded in the cash register software and sent to the kitchen, enhancing overall restaurant management.

Conversely, most restaurants still depend on traditional electronic bank payment terminals. While this method has been reliable, it increasingly falls short of customer expectations as patrons now seek quicker, more autonomous ordering and payment options.

A study conducted in February 2024 by OpinionWay for Lyf revealed that 50% of French people are familiar with and use table-side ordering and payment systems in restaurants, and 55% plan to use them in the future.

A Payment Solution Integrated into the Cash Register Software

Some cash register software comes with its own built-in payment solution. The primary advantage of an integrated payment system is its seamless communication with the cash register, ensuring that the payment amount is sent directly to the terminal and all data is synchronized. This integration helps prevent cash register errors during closing. However, there are drawbacks to these integrated solutions. You are often limited to using the cash register's payment tools, which can be more expensive and may lack some of the advanced collection functionalities available on the market.

For instance, some cash register software does not include a QR code payment option by default. If you want to implement a table-side payment system, you will need to choose a service provider that can integrate smoothly with your cash register software. This provider should be able to efficiently manage the opening and closing of tables, ensuring precise transaction tracking while offering an optimized user experience for both staff and customers.

A smart payment terminal

Rather than using an order PAD to enter customer orders and a traditional bank payment terminal for collections, it may be wise to opt for a so-called intelligent all-in-one terminal designed for payment professionals. restoration. 

These new terminals work, most often, with the Android operating system connected to the cash register software. 

1. Offer all the functionality of a PAD control;
2. Also includes collection management. 

This integration provides advanced payment functions. 

When paying by card, a screen prompts the customer to leave a tip. The collected tip amounts are then recorded and accessible in the payment history at the end of the service. This feature simplifies tip management, making it easier to distribute tips to waitstaff and accurately handle declarations for social contribution exemptions that tips qualify for.

To comply with new legislation, some solutions now offer the option to dematerialize receipts. Customers receive their receipts electronically, reducing paper consumption, simplifying administrative management for restaurateurs, and providing better insights into customer preferences and behaviors. Again, GDPR-compliant and innovative solutions like scanning a QR code right at a table are at the forefront of the new wave of ideas.

The restaurant industry is rapidly changing, propelled by technological advancements and shifting consumer expectations. In this dynamic environment, adopting an efficient payment and collection system is not merely an optional upgrade but a necessity to stay competitive and provide an exceptional customer experience.