Islands integrates Web orders with POSIslands integrates Web orders with POS

CARLSBAD Calif. Islands Restaurants, the casual-dinnerhouse operator based here, is linking consumer takeout orders made at its Internet site with the point-of-sale and production systems in its restaurants using an interface from its POS provider, Hospitality Solutions International, or HSI.

"Our business requires that our customers be able to place orders how and when they choose. We received hundreds of orders in the first two days prior to announcing that we were accepting online orders," John Townsend, Islands' director of corporate services, said of the response to his 60-unit chain's deployment of HSI's Web-to-POS interface.

Referring to the online ordering option and a feature of the interface that permits users to describe their vehicle, should they opt to use curbside service, he added, "It's a very convenient option and particularly popular with those guests who are in a hurry and those who may not be able to leave their cars."

HSI of Scottsdale, Ariz., a division of Micros Systems Inc., said the interface links directly to the vendor's Profit Series POS and, among other things, permits consumers to select from among Islands' restaurants the unit closest to their location and order pick-up time, customize their food selections and pay by credit card.