OnQ is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) software product that can be used on any commercially available smartphone, tablet or PC.
With OnQ, waiting staff can be equipped with a mobile device, enabling them to place an order while at a customer's table and record any modifications to the order. This will enhance the speed and efficiency of the system, as well as reduce error, explains Dimitri Mallis, Onqystems.com founder and CEO.
In a retail environment, employees will have access to all stock details on the floor, speeding up customer service and allowing integration between retail branches, he adds.
The system, which is available in various scaled payment options, will enable better service, increase stock management efficiency, and sync sales data to the cloud, says Mallis.
The product requires no installation and no specific hardware, which lowers the barrier to entry, says Mallis. Sales data is synced to the cloud, and is cached locally, providing backup if the system is temporarily offline. Data can later be exported for analysis.
Mallis says he came up with the idea for the business after experiencing poor service in restaurants time and again, waiting too long for food or the bill, and encountering incorrect orders.
The OnQ system has been implemented in numerous pilot projects in small restaurants around Johannesburg, with immediate plans to begin a full rollout. It is currently available as a browser-based system, with development of native apps for smartphones and tablets in the pipeline.
OnQ's next step will be to develop its user base and partnerships. It is in talks with fellow Seed Engine graduate ChowHub to integrate their systems, as well as with Cirqls, another Seed Engine start-up, to sell the hardware the OnQ system needs through Cirqls' online marketplace.
Future plans include lowering the barrier to entry even further by introducing alternative payment systems, such as e-wallets, near-field communication and card devices that connect directly to smartphones and tablets. Partnerships with service providers to provide dual redundancy for those using the cloud-based POS is another possibility for future development.
Mallis feels that Seed Engine is a fertile environment for start-ups. "They've introduced me to an amazing community of people and helped me fill the gaps in areas that weren't my strong suit, like design. Hearing from other entrepreneurs has been inspirational."
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