POS Integration Overview
A POS-integrated solution can be helpful in streamlining your online ordering operations and minimizing staff time for managing and entering orders. At a high level, here is the process for setting up POS integration with Open Dining.
Connect the POS
First, the POS system must be connected to Open Dining. For most systems, this involves installing our POS Connector application on your POS server, or one of the terminals. For a few cloud-based systems, this simply involves obtaining API credentials from your POS provider, and entering them into the Open Dining system.
The following POS systems are "cloud-based" and do not require a POS Connector installation. All other systems require our POS Connector to be installed.
- Revel
- POSLavu
Export the POS Menu into Open Dining
For most systems, the POS menu data will automatically be imported into Open Dining. However, for some systems, the menu data must be manually exported for the POS Connector to upload.
Currently, this must only be performed on Focus POS systems.
Map the Open Dining (Web) Menu to the POS Menu
Once the POS menu data has been imported into Open Dining, a "mapping" process must be performed. This process connects the items and modifiers on the web menu to the corresponding items and modifiers on the POS menu.
This way, when a certain item is ordered on the web (e.g. a Cheeseburger), our system knows what POS data to send down to the POS when entering the order (e.g. the corresponding Cheeseburger item in the POS).
Testing
After mapping your menu, we recommend running several test orders to verify that everything's working properly. Changes may be needed to the mappings, POS menu, or other integration configuration.
Go-Live
After the integration has been thoroughly tested, it can be used by live customers. In the initial period for POS integrations, we recommend having a fall-back notification method, such as email or a print-out, so that the order details are readily available in the event of an integration issue.