Zoom POS Review

RCS makes the Zoom POS system, which uses the Slipstream Gateway, which is a product of  Midnite Express. Got that?

RCS  is not a processor or an ISO, but is a Qualified Integrator and Reseller (QIR) for POS systems, meaning that the company is certified with Visa to install and maintain POS systems in accordance with Visa’s rules. You can read more about QIRs and why they’re important in our article on QIR requirements.

In this Zoom review, we’ll give you details on the system’s features, costs, compatible processors, and more.

Zoom POS Features

Zoom POS is available in two formats: cloud-based and local. In both cases, the Zoom POS system works with all types of food service businesses, including independent establishments, national chains, full-service restaurants, fast food, cafes, bars, and more. If you’re in the food industry, Zoom POS is geared toward your business.

The system boasts touchscreen entry for orders, table management for easily tracking and seating guests, a time clock function for employee management, inventory tracking and food costing, online ordering, delivery management software for businesses that offer delivery services, payroll and accounting functions, gift and loyalty cards, and more.

Table Management

Seating guests promptly and ensuring an even balance among staff can make or break satisfaction. The table management functions show available servers, table statuses, and the option for a customer pager. Tables change color to show the point in the dining experience the table is at: one color will indicate an empty table, another shows that the guests have been seated, that the kitchen has received the order, that the food has been served, and that a check has been printed for the table.

Kitchen Management

Communication between front-of-house systems and the kitchen is crucial for a smooth restaurant experience. Zoom POS offers kitchen printers and LCD displays for a streamlined ordering process. The system can also highlight orders that go past the determined prep time that you can input. Additionally, you can set colors to indicate rush or VIP orders as well as items that have been voided.

Online Ordering and Delivery

A web-based online ordering solution lets your restaurant provide a convenient way for guests to order food for takeout or delivery. Real-time synchronization ensures that your online menu reflects currently available items and adjusts as you “86” certain dishes, while an upselling function suggests items based on what the customer has ordered.

The online ordering module also includes order history for easy reordering, a curbside takeout ID function, and reporting for online orders.

Inventory Management

Every restaurant manager and owner knows that tracking inventory and food costs are an important component. With Zoom POS, you’ll get recipe management with costing, suggested ordering based on current levels, the ability to create purchase orders, and a variety of reporting options such as food usage, food or liquor costing, analysis of menu profit, and more.

Labor Management

The Labor Management functions of the Zoom POS help save time on HR functions. The system includes a time clock function to log employees’ start and end times, payroll reporting, a scheduling module with the option to copy previous schedules and print a staff-wide schedule, overtime notifications, and tip reporting.

Pricing

Zoom doesn’t publish any of the costs of its software. The company does specify that the cloud-based solution has no upfront costs, but doesn’t provide details on any monthly fees. We’ve reached out to Retail Control Solutions for more information and will update this profile as details become available.

Note that pricing for software and the POS system hardware is separate from the costs to accept credit and debit cards. Your credit card processor will set your rates for accepting cards. See Credit Card Processing with Zoom POS, below, for more details.

Credit Card Processing with Zoom POS

The Zoom POS system uses the Slipstream gateway, which lists compatible processors that include Elavon, First Data, Global Payments, Heartland Payment Systems, Merchant e-Solutions, WorldPay, and TSYS.

You can get quotes instantly from compatible processors by filling out CardFellow’s short quote request form. It’s free, private, and no-obligation. Try it now!

Gift Cards

In addition to credit and debit cards, Zoom POS can allow you to sell and redeem gift cards. Restaurants are a popular gift card choice, and the Zoom solution lets you develop marketing programs to take advantage of gift and loyalty card popularity.

The company doesn’t provide any information on its website about minimum order quantities for gift cards or customization options for the cards themselves, but we’ve reached out to RCS for this information.

Reporting

With Zoom, you can create custom reports based on your needs. Reports can be created with Excel or Crystal Reports. You’ll be able to view information such as sales, employee time and attendance, inventory, and more.

Hardware

The Zoom POS system works on IBM or J2 POS terminals. Handheld terminals, like the DT Research handheld, are also compatible and may include integrated credit card readers for restaurants that would like to enable tableside payments.

Zoom POS is also compatible with Epson receipt printers and some models of APG cash drawers.