Types of POS Systems Used in Restaurants in the UAE

In the UAE, the restaurant industry is highly competitive and diverse, spanning from local eateries to international fine dining establishments. The choice of restaurant Point of Sale (POS) systems reflects this diversity, with various options tailored to different business models, operational needs, and customer expectations. Below is an overview of the types of POS systems commonly used in restaurants across the UAE, including both local and international brands:

1. Cloud-Based POS Systems

Cloud-based POS systems have become increasingly popular in the UAE due to their flexibility, scalability, and real-time data access. These systems store data in the cloud, enabling restaurant owners to access sales, inventory, and customer data from anywhere with an internet connection. Some of the prominent cloud-based POS systems in the UAE include:

Toast POS: While originally from the US, Toast POS has found a market in the UAE due to its robust features tailored for restaurants. It offers integrated online ordering, delivery management, and real-time analytics, making it a popular choice for both small and large restaurants.
Square POS: Another global player, Square POS, is widely used in the UAE, especially among smaller restaurants and cafes. It’s known for its user-friendly interface, ease of setup, and affordable pricing structure. It also offers features like inventory management, customer relationship management (CRM), and detailed reporting.
Lightspeed POS: Lightspeed is favored by many high-end restaurants in the UAE. It provides advanced inventory management, CRM, and analytics tools, along with seamless integration with other restaurant management software.
Slant POS: Slant is an easy-to-use and affordable cloud-based POS system that is popular among small independent restaurants in the UAE. It offers an easy-to-use order management, inventory management, loyalty program, promotions and Kitchen Display System (KDS).
Lavu POS: Lavu is a cloud-based POS system that’s particularly popular among independent restaurants in the UAE. It offers customizable menu layouts, real-time inventory tracking, and integrations with various third-party apps, making it a versatile choice.

2. On-Premise POS Systems

On-premise POS systems store data locally on servers within the restaurant premises. These systems are preferred by some larger establishments and those with specific data security concerns. Although less flexible than cloud-based systems, on-premise POS systems offer robust performance and are not dependent on internet connectivity. Examples include:

Micros POS: Oracle’s Micros POS is one of the most widely used on-premise systems in the UAE, particularly in larger restaurants, hotels, and resorts. It offers comprehensive restaurant management features, including table management, staff scheduling, and kitchen display systems (KDS).
Aloha POS: Aloha, by NCR, is another popular on-premise POS system in the UAE. It is known for its reliability and extensive features, such as advanced reporting, loyalty programs, and integration with various restaurant management tools.
POSitouch: While less common than Micros and Aloha, POSitouch is used by some high-end restaurants in the UAE. It offers detailed inventory management, customer tracking, and flexible menu design, catering to the needs of sophisticated dining environments.

3. Hybrid POS Systems

Hybrid POS systems combine the best of both cloud-based and on-premise solutions. These systems store data locally but also sync with the cloud, offering both the reliability of on-premise systems and the accessibility of cloud-based solutions. Hybrid POS systems are particularly popular in the UAE’s dynamic restaurant environment. Some examples include:

Revel Systems: Revel offers a hybrid POS solution that is well-suited for the UAE’s diverse restaurant scene. It provides offline functionality, ensuring uninterrupted service even when the internet is down, while also offering cloud-based reporting and analytics.
Upserve POS: Upserve, which offers a hybrid model, is popular among mid-sized restaurants in the UAE. It provides comprehensive restaurant management features, including workforce management, inventory tracking, and customer engagement tools.
Bindo POS: Bindo is a versatile hybrid POS system that caters to small and medium-sized restaurants. It offers real-time inventory management, customer insights, and the ability to process transactions offline, syncing data once the internet connection is restored.

4. Tablet and Mobile POS Systems

Tablet and mobile POS systems have gained significant traction in the UAE, particularly in casual dining establishments, food trucks, and pop-up restaurants. These systems are portable, easy to set up, and often cost-effective. Some popular tablet and mobile POS systems include:

Vend POS: Vend is a tablet-based POS system that is widely used in the UAE’s casual dining and fast-casual restaurant sectors. It offers easy-to-use interface, integration with various payment gateways, and features like inventory management and customer loyalty programs.
ShopKeep POS: ShopKeep is a mobile POS system favored by smaller restaurants and cafes in the UAE. It allows businesses to process payments, track sales, and manage inventory from a tablet or smartphone, making it an ideal solution for those on the go.
iPad POS by Kounta: Kounta (now part of Lightspeed) offers a tablet-based POS system that’s popular in the UAE’s hospitality industry. It provides features like table management, multi-location support, and integrations with various restaurant management tools.

5. POS Systems with Integrated Payment Solutions

In the UAE, many restaurants prefer POS systems that come with integrated payment solutions. These systems streamline the payment process, reduce transaction times, and improve customer satisfaction. Some examples include:

Clover POS: Clover offers an integrated payment solution that’s widely used in the UAE. It provides a range of hardware options, including countertop terminals and portable devices, along with features like inventory management, customer loyalty programs, and detailed reporting.
Viva Wallet POS: Viva Wallet is an all-in-one payment solution that integrates with various POS systems in the UAE. It supports multiple payment methods, including contactless payments and mobile wallets, making it a convenient option for restaurants looking to offer a seamless payment experience.

6. Industry-Specific POS Systems

Certain POS systems in the UAE are designed specifically for the restaurant industry, offering specialized features that cater to different types of dining establishments. Examples include:

RestoPOS: RestoPOS is a restaurant-specific POS system that’s popular in the UAE for its focus on the food and beverage industry. It offers features like recipe management, kitchen display systems, and customer feedback tools, making it ideal for fine dining and casual restaurants alike.
Posist: Posist is a cloud-based POS system that’s designed for the restaurant industry and is widely used in the UAE. It offers a range of features, including online ordering, delivery management, and CRM tools, along with multi-outlet management for restaurant chains.
Foodics: Foodics is a Middle Eastern POS system that’s particularly popular in the UAE. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools for restaurant management, including inventory tracking, staff scheduling, and customer engagement. Foodics also integrates with various third-party apps and services, making it a versatile choice for restaurants of all sizes.

7. POS Systems with Loyalty and CRM Features

In the competitive restaurant market of the UAE, building customer loyalty is crucial. Many restaurants use POS systems that come with built-in loyalty programs and CRM features to enhance customer engagement. Some examples include:

FiveStars: FiveStars is a POS system with a strong focus on customer loyalty. It allows restaurants to create custom loyalty programs, track customer spending habits, and send targeted marketing campaigns, making it a popular choice among UAE restaurants looking to boost repeat business.
Square POS with Loyalty: Square offers a loyalty program that integrates seamlessly with its POS system. Restaurants in the UAE use this feature to reward repeat customers, track customer preferences, and create personalized marketing campaigns.
Loyverse POS: Loyverse is a POS system that’s popular among small and medium-sized restaurants in the UAE. It offers built-in loyalty programs, customer tracking, and sales analytics, helping businesses to understand and engage with their customers more effectively.

8. Enterprise POS Systems

Large restaurant chains and hotel restaurants in the UAE often require enterprise-level POS systems that can handle complex operations, multi-location management, and extensive data analysis. Some of the leading enterprise POS systems used in the UAE include:

SAP Customer Checkout: SAP’s POS solution is used by large restaurant chains and hotel restaurants in the UAE. It offers comprehensive features for sales, inventory, and customer management, along with integration with other SAP modules for finance, HR, and supply chain management.
Infor POS: Infor offers an enterprise-level POS system that’s used by some of the largest restaurant groups in the UAE. It provides advanced features for multi-location management, real-time analytics, and customer engagement, making it suitable for large-scale operations.
Oracle Hospitality: Oracle Hospitality (previously Micros) is a leading provider of enterprise POS systems in the UAE. It offers a range of solutions for different types of restaurants, including full-service, quick-service, and hotel restaurants. Its features include inventory management, staff scheduling, and detailed reporting.

Conclusion

The restaurant industry in the UAE is vibrant and diverse, with a wide range of POS systems available to meet the needs of different types of dining establishments. From cloud-based solutions to enterprise-level systems, restaurants in the UAE have access to a variety of tools that can help them streamline operations, improve customer service, and boost profitability.

The choice of a POS system in the UAE often depends on factors such as the size and type of the restaurant, the need for integration with other systems, and the importance of features like loyalty programs and customer engagement tools. As the industry continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative POS solutions emerging to meet the changing needs of restaurants in the UAE.