Are you looking for the perfect computer system for your restaurant? Regardless of whether you are looking at a system for your office or restaurant, there are a couple of things you should keep in mind when installing systems that will help run your operations and store all of your critical data.

1. Network cables. The majority of systems are PC-based, designed to run on MS Windows technology. This means that the workstations and peripherals will communicate over standard Ethernet networking. Although wireless communications have been the talk of the town these days, I would still prefer to “hardwire” your computer stations. Some vendors include this service in their bid; others specify that cabling must be contracted through a third-party vendor.

Inspite of who will work on the cabling, make sure all cables are properly plugged and tested before installing any equipment. Each piece of equipment needs to have a cable drop. A cable drop is the cable that connects a device to a network, like your computer or remote printer connecting to a networking source such as a patch panel in the mechanical room or office.

For a restaurant POS system, the restaurant should be wired with CAT 5 or 6 network cabling that runs from every conceivable POS workstation, remote printer or KDS, office computer, hostess station, delivery order desks, cashier stations and network server to a “home run” area such as a central patch panel, preferably located in your telephone or electrical room or closet. Cabling routes need to ensure that cables are at least 24 inches from fluorescent fixtures, neon transformers and electrical motors, because these devices can sometimes interfere with the communication of each devices.

2. Electrical. Installing a dedicated and isolated circuits for your restaurant POS equipment such as your POS computers, network devices such as hubs and routers, and phone systems that can share. No other electrical equipment should be placed in this circuitry. Preferably, your network, phone, and electrical service will be near one another. An isolated circuit means its a separated ground from that of the main electrical service. This helps prevent spikes and surges that may destroy motherboards and hard drives. Note, however, that you’ll still want to use surge protectors at each workstation.

3. Designing workspace. When it’s time to design workstation areas, make sure to leave enough space to comfortably fit all needed equipments there. Tabletop space for server stations should be large enough to hold a computer monitor, guest check printer, and possibly a credit card terminal if you’re planning to use separate credit card equipment. Make sure you have enough space underneath the tabletop to hold your computer, the surge protector, power strip and UPS.

If you’re planning to place your workstations on mill-manufactured surfaces such as granite or woodwork, have your contractor pre-drill holes if needed to run cables or power cords beneath the surface. A 2-inch hole should be enough space for cords and cables on most POS systems.

For the cashier and bartender stations, the tabletop space should also be ample enough to fit a cash drawer and an order confirmation customer display. Most cash drawers have a footprint (space requirement) of 15- to 17-inch depth; 16- to 20-inch width; and 3.5 to 4 inch height. Be sure to get the drawer specifications from your supplier in advance if you are building a custom countertop so that the drawer is recessed into or underneath the counter.

4. Service plans, as part of your system. Your supplier may offer different types of service plans as part of your original purchase. The fact is, business grade systems are composed of hardware that are not built to last forever especially in retail establishments like a restaurant. Printers will eventually break, fans will slowl fail, and hard drives will crash. How often is dependent upon the conditions under which they operate. Dirt, dust, heat and moisture are the most common terror to office and restaruant POS equipment.

I’ve seen some systems that rarely experience problems while others deal with them constantly. The best thing a restaurant owner can do is to invest in good equipment and then protect that investment by maintaining it. Many restaurant POS solutions provider will offer ongoing service contracts that are basically extended warranties. The annual cost for these services usually ranges anywhere from 10 percent to 20 percent of the original purchase price.

Computer systems represents as a sizable investment. But if you dedicate the time and planning required to properly put in place and maintain the system, you are more apt to be rewarded a return on your investment by getting the most from your system in cost reduction, labor savings, and ensuring that you can account for all cash.

The Author of this article is the VP of Customer Relations at POS-for-Restaurants.com — With over 20 years of restaurant experience that helps ensure that your technology is more efficient and your business more profitable .