Ultimate Guide to Setting up a Restaurant Network – MyPlace Connect

Point of Sale (POS)

The restaurant POS system is probably the most important requirement for your network. It will consist of one or more cash/order terminals and facilitate customers being able to pay their bills after service. These will certainly need to be connected to have a wired connection to your main switch so that they can communicate across the network and access the internet. They should also be on a VLAN and be encrypted at the terminal for PCI compliance

This Post: Ultimate Guide to Setting up a Restaurant Network – MyPlace Connect

Card payment Terminals

Payment terminals typically connect directly to the internet, and so will need an internet connection. This can be either a wired or a wireless connection. If it is wired then the terminal, or the base of the terminal will connect back to the main switch. If using WiFi then it can connect to the restaurants wireless network. Again for PCI compliance, these payment terminals should encrypt traffic at source. Very often the card terminals and the POS equipment will be connected and therefore should be on the same network. In any case, the network that the card terminals is on will need to have a VLAN. It is worth bearing in mind that older payment terminals will not roam (connect to the closest WiFi access point) very well and can drop the signal if moving around the restaurant. Newer models are much better at managing this movement between areas.

Cameras

In this case we are talking about IP cameras, as opposed to the older CCTV cameras that need coax cables. IP cameras run through your main network switch and will be connected back to your main comms box to a controller device of some variety. Like the other core network functions, the camera should be on its own network with a VLAN.

Guest Access

RED : Company – Eagle Ships

Another important requirement for your restaurant network is to provide WiFi access to your guests.

VOIP Phone System

If you are going to go all in on your restaurant network you will also mos likely have a VOIP phone system. Each VOIP system is different, however it is best practice to put your phone system on a separate network with a VLAN

Third Party Delivery Tablets

It is quite likely that you will have at least one third party delivery tablet in your restaurant. These will need to at least have internet access, and possibly a connection to to your POS network if there is a deeper integration. Ordinarily, it will be sufficient if they are connected via WiFi to the guest network

Kitchen Printers

Kitchen Printers are becoming more mainstream as ordering apps allow instant order dispatch to the kitchen. Kitchen printers are likely to  be on the same network as your POS system and probably be cabled, although connecting via WiFi may also be an option. In fact a WiFi connection may be more desirable as any equipment stored in or near the kitchen tends to get greasy pretty quick.

Internal Network

RED : Panchito’s Mexican Restaurant menu – San Antonio TX 78212 – (877) 585-1085

Every restaurant will have its own PC/laptop to manage bookings, send receive emails and facilitate general admin activities. These devices may need access to the POS system, depending on how it is setup, or it may need a VPN back to head office.

Digital Signage/IPTV

Many of the screens in your restaurant, including digital signage will require a connection to the internet. In all likelihood, TV’s will be only connected via the internet in the future so best plan ahead for this eventuality now. For digital signage, a WiFi connection should be fine, but if you do plan to connect an IPTV then a wired connection would probably be best

Chromecast and casting content

The way we interact with devices continues to evolve and the availability of casting technology allows content to be shared from smartphones or other devices directly to TV and screens. This will be done over the WiFi network and it does not always work well if the WiFi network is in guest mode, so a workaround will be required. Do not be surprised if request for casting to a TV/Screen become a regular occurrence in the future.

There are many uses cases for devices and equipment in the restaurant, both now and in the future. First we will break down, one by one the main uses cases for the restaurant of today.The restaurant POS system is probably the most important requirement for your network. It will consist of one or more cash/order terminals and facilitate customers being able to pay their bills after service. These will certainly need to be connected to have a wired connection to your main switch so that they can communicate across the network and access the internet. They should also be on a VLAN and be encrypted at the terminal for PCI compliancePayment terminals typically connect directly to the internet, and so will need an internet connection. This can be either a wired or a wireless connection. If it is wired then the terminal, or the base of the terminal will connect back to the main switch. If using WiFi then it can connect to the restaurants wireless network. Again for PCI compliance, these payment terminals should encrypt traffic at source. Very often the card terminals and the POS equipment will be connected and therefore should be on the same network. In any case, the network that the card terminals is on will need to have a VLAN. It is worth bearing in mind that older payment terminals will not roam (connect to the closest WiFi access point) very well and can drop the signal if moving around the restaurant. Newer models are much better at managing this movement between areas.In this case we are talking about IP cameras, as opposed to the older CCTV cameras that need coax cables. IP cameras run through your main network switch and will be connected back to your main comms box to a controller device of some variety. Like the other core network functions, the camera should be on its own network with a VLAN.Another important requirement for your restaurant network is to provide WiFi access to your guests. Free WiFi is pretty much expected by guests, however it is also an opportunity to capture valuable guest data . using a service like MyPlace Connect , you can capture guest email address and integrate with an email marketing provider, like Mailchimp . Building a restaurant network is a cost, but if you can capture valuable customer data then you can generate a positive return on investment to recoup that cost. Any guest WiFi network should be on a VLAN to keep it separate from other network trafficIf you are going to go all in on your restaurant network you will also mos likely have a VOIP phone system. Each VOIP system is different, however it is best practice to put your phone system on a separate network with a VLANIt is quite likely that you will have at least one third party delivery tablet in your restaurant. These will need to at least have internet access, and possibly a connection to to your POS network if there is a deeper integration. Ordinarily, it will be sufficient if they are connected via WiFi to the guest networkKitchen Printers are becoming more mainstream as ordering apps allow instant order dispatch to the kitchen. Kitchen printers are likely to be on the same network as your POS system and probably be cabled, although connecting via WiFi may also be an option. In fact a WiFi connection may be more desirable as any equipment stored in or near the kitchen tends to get greasy pretty quick.Every restaurant will have its own PC/laptop to manage bookings, send receive emails and facilitate general admin activities. These devices may need access to the POS system, depending on how it is setup, or it may need a VPN back to head office.Many of the screens in your restaurant, including digital signage will require a connection to the internet. In all likelihood, TV’s will be only connected via the internet in the future so best plan ahead for this eventuality now. For digital signage, a WiFi connection should be fine, but if you do plan to connect an IPTV then a wired connection would probably be bestThe way we interact with devices continues to evolve and the availability of casting technology allows content to be shared from smartphones or other devices directly to TV and screens. This will be done over the WiFi network and it does not always work well if the WiFi network is in guest mode, so a workaround will be required. Do not be surprised if request for casting to a TV/Screen become a regular occurrence in the future.