Things to note about bar connections
Subsystem for preferential processing
As a rule, a POS subsystem is used for communication between the POS and the dispensing system. The POS subsystem initialises the dispensing system and continuously monitors the debit-side postings triggered there. These are automatically assigned to the respective table processes.
Example:
If a drink is tapped for table 1 at the dispensing system, the subsystem recognises the booking and automatically assigns it to the corresponding table operation.
Monitoring takes place cyclically once a minute. One table operation is processed per cycle.
In addition, every time a table transaction is opened in the stationary POS, the system checks whether there are still open bookings from the dispensing system for this table. If such bookings exist, they are transferred directly to the table process.
The mPOS system does not support this type of check, as there is no direct integration with the dispensing system for the booking transfer when a table transaction is opened.
A preferred subsystem can therefore be defined as an option, which takes over this task centrally and significantly speeds up processing. In this case, all outstanding bookings of the dispensing system are immediately assigned to the respective table transactions via the preferred subsystem.
Important to note:
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Only one subsystem can be used per dispensing system area
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The subsystem runs explicitly for the dispensing system connection. It may not be used for other bookings, mPOS, Smart Swap or similar.
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The dispensing area, the point of sale and, if necessary, the entry price level must be stored in the subsystem. Just like the station that starts the subsystem.
Known limitations of dispensing connections
Dispensing systems are not all-rounders. Despite often considerable investments, the expectation sometimes arises that they can completely replace controlling processes. In practice, however, this cannot be reliably realised for various reasons.
Properly planned and integrated, dispensing systems nevertheless make an intelligent and extremely efficient contribution to control, speed up processes and ensure consistently high quality. The prerequisite for this is careful planning, which ideally takes place together with the cash register partner.
Debit-side postings
Function numbers can be assigned to several articles. However, if a booking (represented by a function number) is received from the dispensing system, it can only be assigned to a single article - specifically the first matching article in the Hypersoft article master.
Solution:
Only unique function numbers should be used for debit-side postings from the dispensing system.
Display in the process overview
It can happen that an operator calls up the table overview before all bookings from the dispensing system have been processed.
In this case, the target transactions are already displayed as occupied tables, but as the corresponding total has not yet been determined, points appear in the overview instead of amounts.
Small selection of table numbers
Depending on the manufacturer of the dispensing system, there are often only limited table number ranges available.
Examples (depending on year of manufacture):
WMF: three-digit table numbers
Gruber: four-digit table numbers
These restrictions are taken into account in the dispensing system interface.
Solution:
Assign a territory to the operator.
The problem with the table lock
If operators are not allowed to access all tables, the aim is to ensure that only the operator who first booked onto this table has access to a process. Depending on the dispensing system, there may be problems with the timing of the table lock.
Example:
If an operator opens table 1 at the dispensing system, the table block is only transferred to the POS system with the first article booking. In the meantime, another operator may have already occupied the same table in the POS system.
Speciality Habimat:
Habimat dispensing systems do not support table locks. This problem therefore exists permanently in conjunction with Habimat.
Some dispensing systems also allow bookings without the need to enter a table number. To ensure that these postings can still be billed, they must be assigned to a transaction.
Solution:
Use the table number offset in the dialogue Dispensing systems - Set areas.
Bookings without a valid table number are thus collected in a process that is assigned to an operator. They can then transfer or settle the bookings.
The virtual table number offset adds the operator number to the configured offset value and generates a virtual table number from this.
Example:
Offset value: 800
Booking of table 0 by operator no. 12
→ Hypersoft POS creates a transaction with the table number 812 and stores the booking there.
Recommendation:
Use the graphical table overview
Set up a separate area in which offset tables are displayed separately
Important: Always set up a table number offset. Without this setting, the corresponding bookings are discarded.
When using a Gruber/Dirmeier dispensing system, the team function can be activated in the interface in order to utilise the full range of functions in the network.
Please note:
The dispensing system does not have a serving area.
Access conflicts during teamwork
If a team member at the checkout books a table outside their transaction area, this operator is given responsibility for the transaction. Other operators without the appropriate authorisation cannot open this process.
However, the dispensing system cannot differentiate this restriction and allows any team member access. If a booking is made for an unauthorised transaction, the dispensing system connection intervenes and transfers the booking to the virtual table number offset of the operator making the booking.
New table outside the process area
If a team member creates a new table at the dispensing system outside the operation area, the dispensing system connection checks the authorisation:
Authorisation available:
The operator is given responsibility for the process.
The bookings are not assigned to the team.
No authorisation:
The bookings are transferred to the operator's virtual table number offset.
The operator cannot open the transaction at the cash register because it is outside the transaction area.
In this case, the table remains blocked in the dispensing system, although no corresponding transaction exists in the POS system.
An operator must open and lock the locked table (usually without bookings, as these have already been transferred) once so that the dispensing system releases the table again.
Further topics: Team function and banquet function
Tapping beer
When tapping beer, it can be poured with a tolerance. The resulting deviation remains in the dispensing system as a credit per beer.
This credit is treated differently depending on the manufacturer:
With some dispensing systems, it can be cancelled via a confirmation button (e.g. "all beers ready").
Other dispensing systems automatically delete the tolerance the next time the corresponding drink is booked.
If you would like to pre-tap beers, these can be booked to a virtual table number in the Hypersoft POS system and cancelled at the end of the day.
Solution:
Dirmeier and Gruber dispensing systems support tapping via the so-called pre-tapping mode. An operator may first tap into the minus. This minus is automatically offset against subsequent bookings.
Spirits bar
Almost all standard dispensing systems work with time-controlled spirits pourers. When determining the serving quantities (serving times), care must be taken to ensure that the drinks are at the same temperature as when they are later sold.
This is particularly relevant for beverages whose viscosity changes significantly when cooled. In the case of frozen drinks, freezing condensation can also cause the valve to ice up. In addition, depending on the filling quantity, the dispensing process is faster or slower.
Solution:
Seek professional advice on this. Alternatively, spirits in particular can be checked using digital scales. This method is part of the Hypersoft control concept.
Further topics: Best practice for inventory management
Drawers and shelves with control function
Drawers and shelves that record the consumption of goods by reducing their weight can be a useful addition. Nowadays, this technology generally enables long-term reliable operation - even when dispensing in portions.
Clarify in advance:
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the number of different items per drawer,
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the actual space requirements,
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and the fact that goods usually have to be replenished several times a day.
Solution:
Let us advise you on calculating your requirements and use Hypersoft just-in-time delivery to optimally stock your points of sale.
Frank dispensing systems SCU limitations
The Franke SCU interface supports:
no cancellations
no table locks
These restrictions must be taken into account during planning and operation.
Back to the overarching topic: Connection to dispensing systems