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There are several moving parts to a restaurant inventory management system, and on the surface, they offer pretty much the same functionality. Before you dive headlong into your search, it helps to understand some of the reasons you might be considering a replacement. This can help you narrow down your list to the most important features and find the best contenders for your needs.
The first is your business’s inventory management needs and budget. Advanced inventory systems can provide substantial value to large enterprises and cover costs through cash flow, but they may be overkill for smaller and newer operators. Starting with a free or low-cost restaurant POS system with basic inventory functionality may be the most valuable, as you can add advanced inventory upgrades or integrations as your needs grow.
The second factor to consider when upgrading your restaurant inventory management software is the system you currently use. If you use a restaurant POS system, upgrading to a higher-level plan with premium inventory is usually the least disruptive way to add these features. Adding standalone inventory software via built-in integration follows closely behind. Likewise, if you don’t have a POS system, moving your operations to a POS-driven inventory system can provide significant efficiencies.
A third consideration is features such as tiered inventory profiles, food and labor costs, and automated purchasing and forecasting. Check out the productivity tools offered by top competitors to see which one best suits your operational needs. For example, if you spend hours each week updating supplier pricing, checking inventory, and reviewing sales to set up manual purchase orders, an automated inventory solution will change your life. If you manage a large number of employees, integrating payroll and labor cost tracking is critical to operating profitably.
Finally, consider the system’s ease of use, customer service, free training, and user reviews when making your final choice. Some restaurant inventory management systems offer 24/7 phone support, while others are only available during weekdays. Free and unlimited training is another important factor. Providers with training can help you with this time-consuming task.
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