MICROS Reviews & Pricing

Key Features

• Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminal: The heart of MICROS, handling transactions, order entry, payment processing, and customer management. It runs on PC-based hardware, touchscreen tablets, or handheld devices.
• Inventory Management: Track stock levels, automate purchase orders, generate alerts for low stock, and create inventory reports for analysis.
• Menu Management: Create and customize menus with ease, including pricing, descriptions, modifiers, and images. Set up different menus for different day parts, seasons, or events.
• Kitchen Display System (KDS): Send orders directly to kitchen displays for efficient preparation. Track order status, prioritize tasks, and streamline workflow.
• Table Management: Manage floor plans, assign servers, track table status, and handle split bills and table transfers seamlessly.
• Employee Scheduling: Create and manage employee schedules, track attendance, and calculate labor costs.
• Reporting and Analytics: Access comprehensive reports on sales, labor, inventory, customer behavior, and more. Gain insights to make informed business decisions.
• Payment Processing: Integrate with various payment gateways to accept credit cards, debit cards, mobile payments, and more.
• Loyalty Programs: Create and manage loyalty programs to reward repeat customers and encourage customer engagement.
• Self-Service Kiosks: Empower customers to place orders and pay independently, reducing wait times and enhancing convenience.
• Online Ordering: Accept orders through your website or mobile app, expanding your reach and offering convenience to customers.
• Cloud-Based or On-Premise Deployment: Choose the deployment option that best suits your needs, depending on your IT infrastructure and preferences.

Approach to Common Challenges

• Managing Inventory and Stockouts: MICROS offers real-time inventory tracking, automated purchase orders, low-stock alerts, and detailed inventory reports to prevent stockouts and minimize waste.
• Slow Order Processing and Long Wait Times: Streamlined order entry, kitchen display systems, mobile POS devices, and self-service kiosks accelerate order processing and reduce wait times, enhancing customer satisfaction.
• Inaccurate Orders and Customer Complaints: Features like menu customization, order modifiers, allergy alerts, and split bill management reduce errors and misunderstandings, leading to fewer complaints and happier customers.
• Labor Costs and Inefficient Scheduling: Employee scheduling tools, labor cost reports, and integration with time and attendance systems optimize labor allocation and reduce unnecessary expenses.
• Lack of Data and Insights for Decision-Making: Comprehensive reporting and analytics provide insights into sales trends, customer behavior, inventory turnover, and labor efficiency, empowering data-driven decisions for growth and profitability.
• Security Vulnerabilities and Data Breaches: MICROS prioritizes security with features like encryption, access controls, and regular software updates to protect sensitive customer and financial data, ensuring compliance with industry standards.

Cost Of Ownership

• Q: How much does the MICROS software itself cost?
  A: MICROS offers various plans and modules, making the answer complex. For smaller businesses, the "Micros Simphony Essential" starts at $55 per month per terminal. Enterprise-level solutions with advanced features can reach several thousand dollars per month or even involve significant upfront investments. It's crucial to analyze your specific needs and contact their sales team for a tailored quote.
• Q: Are there any additional costs besides the software license?
  A: Yes, several additional costs need to be considered. These can include hardware (terminals, tablets, printers), installation and training fees, ongoing support and maintenance charges, payment processing fees, and potential customization costs. The total cost of ownership can be significantly higher than the initial software license fee, highlighting the importance of a comprehensive budget projection.
• Q: Is there a way to reduce the upfront investment in MICROS?
  A: Yes, MICROS offers flexible payment options such as lease-to-own agreements or subscription models. This can spread the cost over time and make it more manageable for smaller businesses. Additionally, exploring cloud-based options compared to on-premise installations can potentially reduce upfront hardware and IT infrastructure expenses.

Limitations

•  High software and hardware costs. 
•  Slow customer support. 
•  Complicated UI. 

Suite Support

FAQ

• Q: How can I customize MICROS to fit my specific business needs?
  A: MICROS offers a variety of configuration options and third-party integrations to tailor the software to your unique workflows, menus, and loyalty programs. For example, restaurants can configure table layouts and quick service options, while hotels can integrate with booking systems and manage room service orders.
• Q: How does MICROS handle inventory management and reporting?
  A: MICROS tracks ingredient levels and generates reports on usage, waste, and supplier performance. This data helps optimize purchasing, prevent stockouts, and identify areas for cost savings. For instance, bars can monitor liquor consumption and adjust ordering based on peak times and popular drinks.
• Q: What training resources are available for my staff to learn MICROS effectively?
  A: MICROS provides online tutorials, user guides, and in-person training programs to ensure staff proficiency. These resources cover core functionalities like order entry, payment processing, and reporting, helping employees adapt to the software quickly and minimize errors.
• Q: How does MICROS integrate with other business systems like accounting or CRM?
  A: MICROS offers various API integrations and pre-built connectors to seamlessly exchange data with other platforms. This allows for streamlined financial reporting, automated loyalty program updates, and targeted marketing campaigns based on customer purchase data.
• Q: How does MICROS ensure data security and PCI compliance?
  A: MICROS prioritizes data security with features like encryption, access controls, and regular security audits. The software also adheres to PCI compliance standards to protect customer payment information. This ensures secure transactions and builds trust with your customers.