In today’s fast-paced business environment, having a reliable and efficient point of sale (POS) system is critical to success. Shift4, a leading payment processing and technology provider, has introduced a revolutionary POS solution called SkyTab. This high-end POS system not only offers top-notch features but also comes at a low cost, making it a game-changer for businesses in New Mexico, particularly in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, and surrounding states. SkyTab is at its best when provided through New Mexico POS, enhancing its value even further. In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of having a high-end POS system like SkyTab while keeping costs in check.
- Enhanced Customer Experience
SkyTab offers an exceptional customer experience, perfect for businesses in New Mexico, including Albuquerque and Santa Fe, and extending to surrounding states. Its user-friendly interface and intuitive design allow staff to process transactions quickly and efficiently. With this system, you can easily customize the user interface to match your business branding and create a seamless experience for your customers. The ability to split checks, apply discounts, and provide multiple payment options ensures that your customers will leave satisfied with their experience.
- Mobility and Versatility
One of the standout features of SkyTab is its mobility. The device is a handheld, wireless solution that allows your staff to take orders and payments directly at the table, making it a great fit for restaurants, bars, and businesses in New Mexico, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and surrounding states. This not only improves the customer experience but also speeds up table turnover.
- Integration and Reporting
SkyTab seamlessly integrates with Shift4’s payment processing solutions, providing real-time reporting and analytics. This is a valuable feature for businesses in New Mexico, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and surrounding states. It enables business owners to monitor sales, track inventory, and identify customer preferences easily. The ability to access data from anywhere at any time makes it an invaluable tool for making data-driven decisions.
- Cost-Effectiveness
One of the standout benefits of SkyTab is its low cost, which is appealing to businesses in New Mexico, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and surrounding states, where cost management is crucial. Businesses can save thousands of dollars on initial setup costs, as the hardware required is minimal. Additionally, with Shift4’s transparent pricing structure, you won’t be hit with hidden fees or surprise charges, allowing for better financial planning.
- Enhanced Security
In the modern business landscape, security is paramount, and this holds true for businesses in New Mexico, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and surrounding states. SkyTab adheres to the highest security standards, ensuring that sensitive customer payment data is protected. With built-in encryption and tokenization features, Shift4 guarantees that your business and your customers are safe from data breaches and fraud.
- Scalability
Whether you run a small coffee shop in Albuquerque, a restaurant in Santa Fe, or a large chain across New Mexico and surrounding states, SkyTab is highly scalable. You can easily add more devices as your business grows, allowing you to stay agile and adapt to changing market conditions without worrying about substantial hardware or software investments.
- Easy Setup and Maintenance
SkyTab is known for its ease of setup and maintenance. It doesn’t require complex installations or a dedicated IT team to manage, which is particularly advantageous for businesses in New Mexico, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and surrounding states. Shift4 offers excellent customer support, ensuring that your system runs smoothly and you have the assistance you need in case of any issues.
In conclusion, Shift4’s SkyTab is a high-end point of sale solution that offers a wide range of benefits at a low cost, catering to businesses in New Mexico, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and surrounding states. SkyTab is at its best when provided through New Mexico POS, enhancing its value even further. If you’re looking to enhance your business operations and streamline your transactions while keeping costs in check, Shift4’s SkyTab could be the game-changing solution you’ve been waiting for. With this innovative POS system, you can stay competitive, serve your customers better, and drive your business towards greater success in the vibrant region of New Mexico and its surrounding states.
October 12, 2023
New Mexico Liquor License. What are they and how to get one.
New Mexico is a state known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and unique blend of traditions. A significant part of the state’s culture revolves around its vibrant culinary and hospitality scene, which includes a thriving industry of restaurants, bars, and liquor stores. If you’re considering starting a business in the liquor industry in New Mexico, it’s essential to understand the state’s liquor license laws and how to obtain one.
In New Mexico, liquor licenses are issued by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD). The state offers several types of liquor licenses, each with specific conditions and purposes. The most common liquor license types include:
- Dispenser’s License: This is often associated with restaurants, bars, and other establishments that serve alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption.
- Package Sales License: Liquor stores and some convenience stores typically hold this type of license, which permits the sale of alcoholic beverages for off-site consumption.
- Wholesaler License: Wholesalers are allowed to purchase alcoholic beverages from manufacturers and sell them to retailers.
- Manufacturer License: Distilleries, breweries, and wineries fall under this category, allowing them to produce, bottle, and sell alcoholic beverages to wholesalers, retailers, or consumers.
- Club License: Private clubs, such as country clubs and fraternal organizations, can obtain this license to serve alcohol to their members.
- Special Dispenser License: Temporary licenses are available for specific events or functions, such as weddings, festivals, and fundraisers.
Obtaining a liquor license in New Mexico can be a complex and time-consuming process. To navigate it effectively, follow these general steps:
- Determine the Type of License: First, decide on the type of liquor license that best suits your business’s needs. This decision will depend on your establishment’s primary function, whether it’s a restaurant, bar, liquor store, or other related business.
- Investigate Local Regulations: It’s essential to understand the local ordinances, zoning laws, and regulations specific to your area, as they may impact your ability to obtain a liquor license. Consult with your city or county authorities for guidance.
- Meet Eligibility Requirements: To apply for a liquor license in New Mexico, you must meet several requirements, such as being at least 21 years old, not having a criminal record, and being a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
- Application Submission: Prepare and submit the required application forms to the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department. These forms typically require detailed information about your business, including your business plan, financial information, and the type of license you’re applying for.
- Background Check: Applicants, including all individuals and entities associated with the business, will undergo background checks, which include fingerprinting and investigations.
- Public Notice: Your application will be subject to public notice, allowing members of the community to express any objections to your license.
- Hearings and Approvals: The RLD will schedule a public hearing to review your application, and you may be required to provide further documentation or address concerns raised during this process. Once approved, you’ll receive your liquor license.
- Annual Renewals: Liquor licenses in New Mexico must be renewed annually. Ensure that you comply with all ongoing regulations to maintain your license.
New Mexico’s liquor license laws can be intricate, and it’s crucial to consult legal counsel or experienced professionals who specialize in this field to ensure compliance. Understanding the state’s alcohol control regulations, sales restrictions, and other specific laws can help you avoid costly mistakes and maintain your license.
Obtaining a liquor license in New Mexico is a significant undertaking, but with the right guidance and a thorough understanding of the state’s liquor license laws, you can navigate the process successfully. Whether you’re planning to open a bar, restaurant, liquor store, or another establishment in the hospitality industry, adhering to the regulations will help you contribute to the vibrant cultural and economic landscape of New Mexico.
June 14, 2023
Understanding Credit Card Transaction Fees: Can Merchants Legally Pass Them On to Customers?
In today’s digital age, credit cards have become a popular and convenient payment method for both consumers and businesses alike. However, the costs associated with processing credit card transactions can sometimes place a burden on merchants. As a result, some businesses have started to explore the practice of passing on these fees to customers. In this article, we’ll dive into the topic of credit card transaction fees and explore whether merchants can legally pass them on to their customers.
What are Credit Card Transaction Fees? Credit card transaction fees are charges imposed by payment processors or card networks (such as Visa, Mastercard, or American Express) to cover the costs of processing credit card payments. These fees typically include interchange fees, assessment fees, and any additional fees imposed by the payment processor.
Legal Landscape: The permissibility of passing on credit card transaction fees to customers varies depending on the jurisdiction. In some countries, like the United States, merchants are generally allowed to pass on these fees under certain conditions. However, it’s important to note that regulations can differ from state to state, and specific guidelines may be imposed by the card networks.
Disclosure and Transparency: One crucial aspect of passing on credit card transaction fees is the requirement for merchants to provide clear and transparent communication to customers. In most cases, merchants must disclose the fee amount and notify customers before the transaction is processed. This allows customers to make an informed decision regarding their payment method.
Alternative Payment Options: To comply with regulations and offer flexibility to customers, merchants are typically obligated to provide alternative payment methods that do not incur additional charges. This ensures that customers have the choice to use cash, debit cards, or other non-fee-based payment options if they prefer to avoid credit card transaction fees.
Benefits and Considerations: Merchants may choose to pass on credit card transaction fees to customers for various reasons. By doing so, they can offset the costs associated with processing credit card payments, which can ultimately help their bottom line. However, it’s essential for businesses to weigh the potential benefits against potential customer dissatisfaction or the risk of customers opting for alternative businesses that don’t impose such fees. More commonly as of today, merchants may opt to embed their product prices with the cost association of credit card fees in mind depending how much of their business is finalized with credit cards. This not only simplifies the transaction, but does not require the merchant to notify the customer of passing on the transaction fee.
The practice of merchants passing on credit card transaction fees to customers is a complex issue with legal and ethical considerations. While it may be permissible in certain jurisdictions, businesses must ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Clear and transparent communication regarding fees and providing alternative payment options are key to maintaining positive customer relationships. As a consumer, it’s important to review your cardholder agreements and be aware of potential fees associated with credit card transactions.
Information pertaining to this may be found at: nmlegis.gov
February 8, 2023
Foolproof Reading of a Businesses Credit Card Statement
A credit card statements can be a confusing and intimidating document for many business owners. A majority of credit card processing companies rely on an owner to be overwhelmed and not read through the fine print where you’ll find hidden processing fees, held transactions, and more. However, it’s essential to understand them to stay on top of your finances and avoid costly mistakes. New Mexico POS is dedicated to being transparent about the statements we provide through CoCard and would like to share how to accurately read through your own:
- Know Your Statement and Batch
The first step in reading your business credit card statement is to know your statement date and when funding from a batch will appear. The statement date mark the start and end of a processing cycle, and all transactions made during this period will appear on the statement. A statement can be generated per batch through your online portal, a login to the processing company’s website to view all credit card authorizations.
- Review Your Transactions
The next step is to review your transactions. Your statement will list all of your businesses transactions and any fees charged to your account. It’s crucial to check each transaction charged to ensure that it’s accurate and authorized as well as keeping track that your Point of Sale batches match the total transaction amount. If it does not match, going through the POS batch and your Transactions will point you to the authorization that did not make it to your processor.
- Check for Any Unusual Charges
While reviewing your transactions, keep an eye out for any unusual charges, such as unauthorized purchases, duplicate charges, or erroneous amounts. If you notice any, contact your credit card issuer or your point of sale provider immediately to report the issue.
- Review Your Fees
Your statement will include your rates for processing credit cards, also known as your effective rate. To find your effective rate, you’ll take the total amount deducted for processing and divide it by the amount of your total monthly sales paid by credit cards. There are three fees that make up an Effective Rate, being , Interchange, Markup, and Assessment.
5. Lowering Your Effective Rate
Lowering your effective rate is easy to negotiate once you have the information to negotiate with your processing company aside from Interchange. Another option many owners are utilizing in their business is Cash Discounting or having a customer pay Credit Card Fees, different terms but same meaning. Merchants pass on the Effective Rate fees to customers (typically 3%) and take off this fee when cash is the payment.
Reading your business credit card statement accurately is essential for managing your finances and avoiding costly mistakes. By following these steps, you’ll be able to understand and interpret your statement with ease. New Mexico POS is dedicated to providing the BEST rates with total transparency of processing rates and fees for your business. Contact us (505) 293-7551 and find out how much you could be saving monthly and yearly with our partnership with CoCard Services.
November 10, 2020
Adding A New Menu Item
Adding a new menu item and menu file maintence is one of the easiest things to do within Focus POS. If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to call our office at 505-293-7551.
To add a menu item, head to the Backoffice section of the Focus POS. On the top tool bar, press Menu > Menu Items.
The 1-7 sections to adding a menu item will walk you through adding your new menu item.
- Find a menu item similar to the one you’re planning adding.
When you highlight a menu item, the added item will inherit ALL programming except Menu Name. - After highlighting the item, press ADD.
- Menu Name will be blank. Fill in the menu name and press tab to automatically fill all Name fields. *Name fields can be unique to every destination they represent*
- If;
Menu Item – Fill in Price #1.
Modifier – Fill in Price Mod. - Attach any modifier canvases onto the item if required. The modifiers will be inherited from the item first selected. (Example: Highlighting a burger will give you Meat Temp / Add-Ons)
- Check item is in the correct Report Group and Printer Group (Printer Destination)
- Select or deselect any options the menu item requires.
Last step is to assign the menu item a destination. For an automatic canvas, select AUTO CANVAS on the top bar and check mark which canvas the menu item belongs. For a manual canvas, go into CANVASES in the main back office section.
Once completed, press SAVE.
For more in depth information, please refer to the Focus POS manual.
November 5, 2020
General Troubleshooting
POS Emergency? Call New Mexico POS at 505-293-7551
Focus Not Starting
- Focus POS normally appears with Windows OS bootup operations. If this is not the case, touch the Focus icon on the desktop. Example
Focus is already running prompt / Focus not launching
- In most cases, Focus is open already and hiding in the taskbar. In the lower left hand corner (by the Time Clock), press the upwards arrow to show hidden icons, and press the Focus POS icon (orange F).
- Reboot the terminal in Windows by pressing Start > Power > Restart. Focus POS should begin loading with Windows OS.
- Double Tap the Focus POS icon on Windows Desktop.
- Contact New Mexico POS at 505-293-7551
Primary Path Cannot Be Found Error
This error occurs when the Main Computer / Server named Focus cannot be found on the network.
If Message is on ALL terminals:
- Check that the Focus terminal is turned ON and connected to the network. (If a red X or a world icon is appearing in the bottom left corner, check the ethernet cord is plugged in securely to the computer.)
- Verify any network switches connected to the Focus terminal are powered on and connected properly.
- Reboot the terminal Focus.
- Call New Mexico POS at 505-293-7551.
If Message appears on one / multiple terminals but not ALL:
- Check ethernet connection to terminals displaying error from (network switch / wall outlet ) and to (ethernet connection into computer).
- Verify switches computers are plugged into are powered ON and are flashing green / orange lights.
- Call New Mexico POS at 505-293-7551.
Backup Path Cannot Be Found Error
- Check that the Backup terminal is turned ON and connected to the network. (If a red X or a world icon is appearing in the bottom left corner, check the ethernet cord is plugged in securely to the computer.)
- Verify any network switches connected to the Backup terminal are powered on and connected properly.
- Reboot the terminal Backup.
- Call New Mexico POS at 505-293-7551.
Green Bar Appearing At Bottom of Screen
The green bar indicates the operating terminals cannot see the Credit Card Processing station.
- Verify the credit card processing station or all terminals are powered
- Verify all terminals are running the Focus POS program
Red Bar Appearing At Bottom of Screen
The red bar indicates the Focus terminal cannot see or back data up properly to the Backup terminal.
- Verify the Backup Terminal is powered on and running the Focus POS software.
- Verify the Backup Terminal is connected to the network.
Credit Cards Not Processing (Via Swipe)
Note: This will not work for EMV
Check the internet connection by pressing going to the Log In screen and pressing the time clock in the right hand corner. The About screen will appear and press the tab labelled “Internet”. Press PING at the bottom left of the screen.
..if [ REPLY FROM 172.2171.196 BYTES=32 TIME=42MS TTL=44] (Credit Card Station)
- Check Credit Card Processing station is turned on and running Focus POS program on screen.
- Check Credit Card Processing station is connected to the network.
- Reboot Credit Card Processing station.
..if [REPLY FROM 172.217.1.196 NO RESPONSE] (Internet down)
- Log into Focus POS and navigate to the PAYMENTS screen.
- Press the button labelled OFFLINE.
- Upon the next screen press OFFLINE.
- A message will appear “Credit Card Authorization will go offline. Continue?” Press YES
The national trend of merchants passing on their credit card fees continues to accelerate, aided last week by a federal court striking down Texas’s “no-surcharge” law as unconstitutional.
The Texas ruling follows the defeat of no-surcharge laws in Florida and California, but it is a unique milestone: Texas is the first state in which a surcharge ban that was previously upheld has now been struck down under last year’s Supreme Court precedent in Expressions Hair Design.
Now businesses in all states can benefit from including the merchant service fees on transactions. What can you do with an additional four or five percent on your bottom line?
NM-POS can set up all of our products to collect electronic funding fees automatically. Unfortunately First Data Corp.’s Clover Unit removed this ability from their App putting their merchants in the hole regarding this ruling.
A recent analysis by industry experts confirms, “When cardholders bear the cost of their own rewards, they are motivated to choose a lower-cost option.”
VIVA la Merchants and Free Speech!
April 27, 2018
Focus POS introduces embedded Wait List feature!
Our flagship product, Focus POS, has introduced a Wait List feature in their newest point of sale software version 18.3.8. This built from the ground up feature can have your host/hostesses retain valuable information such as party size, preferred table type, seating location, custom special notes, time quotes, and much more! This function can be utilized by any staff member at any station, including iPad / Tablet point of sale workstations!
To make it even better, this feature comes with the stock software with no additional costs!
Contact New Mexico POS to schedule a demo today!
-DV
November 16, 2017
Introducing QSR Automation World Class Products!
Staying at the forefront and providing New Mexico restaurateurs the best products in the point-of-sale industry, New Mexico POS is proud to announce the addition of QSR Automation Systems exCeed kitchen video automation product line. QSR products are installed in over 70,000 restaurants world wide. Unquestionably the kitchen automation heavyweight, QSR ConnectSmart Kitchen solution will make your kitchen more efficient, provide higher quality food production and increase your bottom line by providing a superior customer experience at your restaurant.
NM-POS has a demo system in our showroom. Schedule a demonstration and see how QSR Automation can move your kitchen up the professional ladder to super stardom.
Don Kruse
November 15, 2017
As a tech, why Focus POS is the best.
Focus POS is brilliant software. It is brilliant in it’s simplicity and it is this simplicity that makes Focus POS the most reliable point-of-sale system in the industry.
First, Focus POS has no Microsoft Windows installation. It is one folder residing in the root directory of the hard drive and has one executable program. Simple!
Second, Focus POS has no Window’s VXDs, DLLs or any other complexity and Focus POS never touches the Windows operating system. Brilliant!
Third, Focus POS is logical. Installation after installation servers, bartenders and managers tell us Focus POS is the easiest and best point-of-sale system they have ever used. Our twenty years of installation experience insure owner operators painless trouble free POS investment. As a tech, Focus POS is a snap without stress.
I could go on and on about how good Focus POS is to a tech. Here is the bottom line; Focus POS runs like a tank. Day in day out, weekly, monthly, yearly for decades Focus POS runs. That’s what I like about Focus POS as a tech.
DK