Point-of-sale (POS) and consumer-oriented IT systems are one area of technology which has seen quite a lot of innovation lately, with our recently-concluded Echelon 2014 featuring innovative startups like iChef and Appy Hotel.
Now, Malaysia-based SaaS firm Silent Mode has announced Slurp, a cloud-based POS system for food & beverage outlets. Slurp is comprised of four components: Slurp Central, which is the core POS system; a customer ordering app; a waiter app; and the Slurp Cloud data analytics platform. Slurp is Silent Mode’s first product, and aims to improve the efficiency of retailers by automating the ordering process and providing the right analytical tools that play an important role in managing a business.
Among Slurp’s features are a menu management tool, a payroll programme that tracks the check-in and check-out times of wait staff, as well as a basic inventory system. The service is available in two versions: Slurp Basic and Slurp Premier. The former is for chain stores with three or less outlets, while the latter is aimed at stores with over three branches.
In addition to the cloud-based Slurp system, Silent Mode also includes third-party hardware components in its current product package, which includes an iPad, an iPad stand, a cash drawer and a receipt printer. With Slurp, retailers can also enhance customer experience by offering loyalty programmes and personalised outlet promotions.
Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Zara Aida Razali shared that Slurp was created based on their research on the Malaysian retail industry. “We’ve identified some common challenges many retailers share such as inefficient ordering system and disparate information sources,” he noted. “In this version of Slurp, our technology is addressing these concerns by systematically digitising the ordering system right at the customer table and making all information logged into a central system. Data is always synchronised with a secure cloud portal.”
Research and development of Slurp began about a year ago and the new system has since then been successfully beta tested at five F&B outlets in Klang Valley. This process has also led the Silent Mode team into fine tuning features of the application to meet retailers’ requirements for a robust POS system besides introducing new elements such as a subscription-based Slurp Cloud.
Co-founder and Product Lead Calvin Tam noted that customer feedback was essential in setting up Slurp. “Initially, we wanted to just sell a customer ordering app that retailers can manage on their own. However, retailers kept telling us that they would prefer a full-fledged POS system to support their business,” he said. “We’ve since then shifted our product focus and started incorporating the various features that you see in Slurp today. The fact that Slurp software is customisable makes it suitable for deployment at different types and needs within the F&B sector.”
