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GoTab Inc., a provider of digital ordering and payment solutions for the hospitality industry, has introduced Pocket POS, a mobile point-of-sale terminal about the size of a mobile phone that enables servers to take orders, manage tabs, process payments, and communicate with hosts and hostesses, as well as kitchen staff, in real-time.
The device is the latest entry in the hotly contested restaurant POS market that includes such competitors as Fiserv Inc., Shift4 Payments Inc., and Toast Inc.
Key points of differentiation for Pocket POS compared to other mobile POS devices are a larger screen, longer battery life, and a more compact size, says GoTab, which was founded in 2016. The device can also be used as a customer-facing digital check presenter, allowing guests to view and split a check, add a tip, and pay their tab, with the option to leave feedback and receive an order confirmation directly to their mobile device.
“We know staff want a phone-like device, and the Pocket POS is just that,” GoTab chief executive and co-founder Tim McLaughlin says by email. “Rather than some bulky hardware that requires a hardware lock in, this device does everything a full counter POS can with a 6.6-inch screen, and optionally can also function as a ‘check presenter’” to be given to a guest to pay, split, or provide feedback unattended.”
Pocket POS supports all the features found in GoTab’s desktop POS terminal, including shared tab control, kitchen management, and administrative features that allow staff to manage inventory, menus, and shifts.
In addition to the introduction of Pocket POS, GoTab has launched a self-service kiosk developed for high-volume establishments, such as food halls, quick-service restaurants, breweries, and entertainment venues. The kiosk allows consumers to browse menus and place and pay for orders via credit and debit cards, mobile wallets, and gift cards. Orders placed through the kiosk are routed to the kitchen and consumers are alerted via text when and where their order is ready for pick-up.
Launched in 2016, GoTab announced in August the closing of a $18-million Series A funding round. The money will be used to help scale GoTab’s digital-ordering and payment technology for the hospitality industry.
