Having A “New Year Computer Checklist” Helps Keep Your Restaurant POS System In Good Shape

Start out the year right for your restaurant POS system. Let’s tackle some of the most common and vital mistakes that restaurant owners make in regard to some very basic configuration aspects of the computer system. Mistakes can badly damage a restaurant or any other retail business, not to mention the amount of time and money. Worse than that… it can frustrate you, your customers and staff.

Whether you’re the one who’s going to do the configuration or not, or [getting somebody else to do it for you] — it’s important for you to make sure everything is done accordingly.

Don’t let me give you the wrong idea. I don’t always recommend configuring your own computer system! I recommend letting a computer professional do it for you. But I know some of you will do it yourself no matter what I say. So this is for those of you that insist on doing your own system installations and for everyone else to double check and make sure everything was done properly. This can help avoid major problems, be aware on the proper installations and save hours of your precious time.

So here’s your retail computer system configuration checklist for a Windows network:

1) Using a Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
One of the main causes of your electronic component failure is due to fluctuations in electricity (up and down). A good UPS can solve this problem by regulating the power. I would recommedn getting a good UPS for your server. And it’s a good idea to use them on each of your worstations too.

2) Plugging All Cables Into the UPS
Check if all cables that power your computer and network are plugged into your UPS. You also need to check if the cables that are plugged into a surge protector or UPS are carrying the right amount of power. For example, the phone line for your modem can easily heat up and fry your computer if you don’t plug it into a surge protector. So make sure your modem line, network cables, and power cords are all plugged in properly.

3) Passwords and Security
At the very least, I suggest locking down your server with a password on all Windows accounts so your employees and hackers have more difficulty messing with your server.

4) Install Anti-virus and Anti-Spyware Software and Configure For Automatic Updates
It’s also very important to configure that software to update automatically every day, so you don’t forget.

5) Limit Internet Access
Employees will surft on anything they can on the internet. You mave the lastest antivirus and antispyware software installed but if an employee inadvertently downloads the wrong program or accepts the wrong message, it can bring your system down. You may limit them by disabling internet browsing on their computer stations. Or you could password protect internet access.

For restaurant owners, this is very important! In order to protect secured files from evil hands, limiting employee internet access is a must. A retail business owner has to enforce rules to protect his business as well as his profit. Otherwise, what good will a restaurant POS system do if it’s run by a misbahaved or ignorant personnel.

6) Configure Your Back Up To Run Every Night
In many situations, it’s best to configure your back up to run automatically after work hours. But you still need to remember to change your back up device (like tapes) daily.

7) The Importance of Testing Your Back Up Regularly
I can’t remember how many times I’ve chatted with people that have hard drive failure and think they have a good back up to restore. When they try to restore they find it didn’t properly funciton. That’s why it is very important to test your back up at least once a month by restoring files so you would know that it your back up is working as it’s supposed to be. By the way, you should also remember o restore to an alternate file location so you don’t mess up your existing software.

So please check your computer system now. If you don’t, you might regret it later. Have a happy and successful 2009!

With over 20 years of restaruant experience, the author and Vice President of Customer Relations at POS-for-Restaurants.com, helps you use your technology to be more efficient and more profitable.