Computers and Coffee Shops

Posted on: 2015-06-19 12:00 AM

Making sure you have a good handle on technology
Computers are a necessary ingredient for any successful business, including a coffee shop. They are used to manage inventory, handle your accounting and advertising and managing work schedules. Additionally, the coffee shop atmosphere is an ideal Internet cafe environment, allowing you to increase your customer base through the use of Wi-Fi.

Inventory and Ordering
Using a computer to track inventory and order shipments will simplify managing your coffee shop. There are literally dozens of software packages available that track and order inventory, including packages that can order supplies automatically if the inventory drops too low. Inventory software can benefit you by giving you in-depth reporting of how your inventory is moving and what is not. This will give you insight into your product popularity and allow you to plan future purchases around the items which earn more money.

Business Operations Management
"Business operations" is a broad term that includes all aspects of company management. Accounting and advertising are two key examples of business operations that can be performed with computers, and most other aspects of running the company can be streamlined with the proper software. You can even use a computer to print fliers and menus, reducing company overhead and giving you more creative control.

Employee Time Management
Time-clock software saves you the cost of purchasing a dedicated employee time keeper and has the benefit of providing you with comprehensive reports regarding employee hours, wages, absenteeism and other aspects of employee attendance. Software of this type saves the company money by eliminating the need of a payroll system or third-party payroll company and by giving you an overview of employee performance. Many business management software packages include time management programs or you can purchase the software separately.

POS Software
Point of sale software eliminate the need for traditional cash registers. Instead of ringing up each sale on a register and having to reconcile inventory with sales receipts at a later time, POS software can ring up the sale, deduct the sale from inventory and provide you with a precise report of what your coffee shop is selling -- right down to the types of coffee sold at different times of day.

Customer Enticement
An Internet cafe is a popular place for people relax, enjoy a cup of coffee and spend a little time online. You can supply the computers used for an Internet cafe or simply provide Wi-Fi access to those who bring in their own computers.