Preparing “New Year Computer Checklist” For Your POS Systems Keeps Your Business Up and Running!
Start out the year right for your restaurant POS systems. Let’s discuss some of the most common and critical mistakes that are made in regard to some very basic configuration aspects of the computer system. Mistakes can seriously damage a restaurant or any other retail establishment, not to mention the waste of time and money. Even worse than that… it can frustrate your customers and employees.
Whether you’re the one who’s going to do the configuration or not somebody else to do it for you] — it’s important for you to make sure everything is done properly.
Please don’t let me be guilty of giving you the wrong idea. I don’t always recommend configuring your own computer system! I recommend letting a 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 that insist on doing your own computer installations and for everyone else to double check and make sure everything was done properly. This could help you avoid some major problems and save hours of precious time.
So here are some simple retail POS system configuration checklist for a Windows network you could use as a guide:
1) Using a Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
The number one cause of electronic component failure is from fluctuations in electricity (up and down). A good UPS can solve this problem by providing clean power. I recommend that you at least put a good UPS on your server. And it’s a good idea to use them on every worstations too.
2) Plug All Your Cables Into the UPS
Make sure 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 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
It is advisable that you lock your server with a hard-to-decode password on all Windows accounts so that no one will be able to access it especially hackers who love to mess up servers damage your server].
4) Intalling and Configuring Security Tools Like An Antivirus Software and AntiSpyware Software
It’s also very important to configure that software to update automatically every day, so you don’t forget.
5) Limit Internet Access
Employees that surf the internet can cause more problems than anything. Anti-virus and anti-spyware software does help but if an employee unwittingly downloads the wrong program or accepts the wrong message, it can cause some serious problems to your system. You may limit them by disabling internet browsing on their computer stations. Or another option is to protect internet access with a password.
For a restaurant, 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) Configuring Your Back Up To Run Regularly
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) every day.
7) Testing Your Back Up At Least Once A Month
I can’t remember how many times I’ve talked with several people that have hard drive failure and think they have a good back up plan to restore. When they try to restore they find it didn’t properly funciton. That’s why you need to do a “real” test restore once a month to make sure it’s working. By the way, you should restore to an alternate file location so your existing software won’t get messed up.
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.
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