Core Product: Aloha® Quick Service, Aloha® Table Service
Complimentary Products: Software provided by drink dispenser manufacturers
Separate License Required? Yes
Other References: Aloha Quick Service Manager Guide, Aloha Quick Service Reference Guide, Aloha Table Service Manager Guide, Aloha Table Service Server Guide, Aloha Table Service Reference Guide
View/Download/Print: Drink Dispensers Feature Focus Guide - HKS1677

Drink dispensers assure the Aloha® Point-of-Sale (POS) system accurately accounts for every liquor drink poured, and that the bartender pours every drink exactly the same way each time. Drink dispensers eliminate the potential for employees to over-pour or forget to ring up drinks. These devices can also help to identify and eliminate other causes of shrinkage, such as spillage. The following table shows the supported drink dispensers, and their communication parameters:

Each type of dispenser includes installation instructions and software you must install to make them operational. You must use this software to configure and control the dispenser.Each drink dispenser must have an ID that matches a corresponding ID in the Aloha system. Configure each drink dispenser according to the documentation included by its manufacturer.

Configuring Drink Dispensers

• Creating drink dispensers records
• Refreshing POS data

Configuring and pricing drink items

You must adhere to specific rules, when creating and pricing drink items in the Aloha system to interface correctly with the drink dispensers. These rules are as follows:

• Create the same drink items in the drink dispenser software and in the Aloha software, using the same ID (PLU) numbers.

  Tip: You must configure drink items in the Aloha system, and also in the software provided by the manufacturer of the dispenser, using the same ID numbers (some companies refer to them as PLU numbers). If the numbers do not match, a message similar to 'Item #### not found in database. Notify Manager,' appears when you attempt to dispense a drink.

• Do not use modifiers, such as 'olive,' with items that interface with drink dispensers. Create separate ID (PLU) numbers for drinks with and without these modifiers.

• Use different ID (PLU) numbers for size variations, such as 'small,' 'double,' or '16 ounce.'

• You can use price levels in the Aloha system for drink dispenser items, but it is not necessary.

• Configuring multiple drink dispensers and multiple terminals
• Using multiple terminals with Berg dispensers
• Configuring environment variables for the Berg dispensers

Revision History

View the development history of the drink dispensers feature.