ePub: tenants join the EPoS revolution
Sixty Punch Taverns lessees have joined the EPoS generation, following a deal between the pub giant and long-established hospitality technology supplier XnCheckout.
The installations are a breakthrough in putting pub tenants on a level playing field with the managed house competition, and another 500 Punch licensees are set to join them in the second and third phases of the scheme.
In the past EPoS - electronic point-of-sale - equipment has been beyond the budgets of most tenants, but XnCheckout's new web-based system makes it affordable.
So far, Punch is targeting houses transferring to lease from the managed Spirit Group with the technology, developed by XnCheckout, now a division of global player Torex, based on its experience with managed pubcos including Mitchells & Butlers, Pathfinder, Spirit Group and Young's.
Operating on colour touchscreen terminals, the system offers a comprehensive range of features beyond the core front-end EPoS till. It includes an extensive business reporting suite, as well as tools to create and manage retail promotions.
It also gives pubs access to the National Hospitality Database, with lists of new products updated automatically onto tills, saving time and reducing errors by eliminating the need for product programming.
Licensees can track staff performance and create a variety of promotions, while a suggested orders module means they don't have to carry out a stock check before ordering new supplies.
For pubs with a significant food trade, the system offers remote kitchen printing of orders. Other optional add-ons include Chip & PIN, group reporting for multiples, cash management and full stock control.
The system is delivered as an integral part of the Punch lease. Licensees pay a subscription to the service from year two onwards which pays for support and access to the National Hospitality Database.
"Until now, there has been resistance from some pub companies against delivering EPoS into leased estates, on the basis that lessees felt it was expensive and offered only limited benefits," says John Bowen, sales director of hospitality and leisure at XnCheckout.
"The solution we are rolling out across the Punch estate addresses these issues and there are already a significant number of publicans realising numerous benefits from a sophisticated yet simple-to-manage system.
"One key element of this solution is that it is highly intuitive to use and therefore requires minimal training before new staff become proficient."
