SkyTab Review
Commission-free online ordering
Zero up-front costs
24/7 customer support
Mobile pay & order at table solutions
Pros & Cons
- Well-integrated hardware and software
- 24/7/365 support available
- Good self-service support documentation & tutorial videos
- Strong customer loyalty functionality
- Clear & detailed management reporting
- Only basic pricing information available – add-on costs unclear
- No option to use existing hardware.
Plans & Pricing
SkyTab advertises a single service price – $29.99 per month for each workstation with no up-front costs. This includes hardware, software, installation, training, support, and access to the “InCharge” mobile app for back-office reporting on the go.
Real-life pricing is rather more nuanced, and interested businesses are invited to contact the company for a demo and custom quote. Exact pricing will vary based on the hardware required, the number of workstations, and additional services or software integrations.
In addition, there are various options around payment processing fees, including an “Advantage Program” that can offset credit card processing costs.
Overview
SkyTab is a POS system custom designed for the hospitality industry. It’s delivered by Shift4, a long-established fintech firm with over 200,000 customers. As expected from working with such an established business, a solid support infrastructure is in place. There’s a 24/7/365 support team and access to onsite installation from certified personnel.
SkyTab delivers a comprehensive set of functionality for full-service and quick-service restaurants, bars, nightclubs, pizzerias, and coffee shops. Online ordering is particularly refined with support for delivery, collection, and integration with third-party services and SkyTab’s online ordering platform.
Features and Functionality
Refined Hardware and User Experience
SkyTab’s bold blue, black and white user interface is refined and well designed. The provider also makes use of its own hardware, including mobile ordering / payment devices, an 8-inch POS tablet, full-sized POS terminals and kitchen display units.
This is a starkly different approach to that taken by some other providers, who work with third-party hardware. SkyTab’s level of integration allows the company to keep tight control of the user experience, and gives it the confidence to offer a lifetime warranty with all hardware.
Online Ordering
SkyTab comes with a complete online ordering system, and the company encourages its customers to make full use of it to avoid paying fees to third parties.
However, SkyTab recognizes that plenty of consumers are attached to the services they already use for food orders. As such, the company also offers integrations with providers such as DoorDash and Uber Eats.
Mobile Ordering
Tableside service (and payment) is possible with SkyTab, using a choice of two devices. There’s a compact SkyTab Mobile device, which includes 4G connectivity and an integral printer as well as SkyTab Glass, a tablet device.
Marketing and Customer Satisfaction Tools
SkyTab includes marketing and customer satisfaction tools on its mobile devices. They can be used to collect customer email addresses, and also to run satisfaction surveys.
Scheduling and Time Management
SkyTab includes a comprehensive set of Labor Management features, including clocking in and clocking out, break management, and schedule admin.
This is all linked to a detailed reporting engine, which is also accessible in the cloud-based back office, Lighthouse, or from the InCharge Mobile App for iOS and Android.
Contactless QR Code Ordering
Self-service ordering at the table is increasingly popular in food service businesses. SkyTab can generate QR codes that allow diners to access the menu, place orders, and send them directly to the kitchen.
QR codes can also be used for payments, and can be printed onto customer bills to scan and pay. The system allows for credit card payments, and also for people to settle their check using Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Customer Loyalty Features
SkyTab offers a complete collection of customer loyalty features, including tiered points-based rewards that regulars can redeem via the POS system.
There’s also email marketing functionality built-in, complete with customer segmentation and support for tailored campaigns, which negates the need to pay separately for a third-party system.
Hardware Requirements
SkyTab maintains full control of its hardware, offering it as part of its monthly subscription.
Available hardware options include traditional fixed POS terminals, the mobile devices mentioned above, a customer-facing display, and kitchen printers or digital displays for back-of-house efficiency. An interesting addition to this latter functionality is the ability to throttle orders during busy periods to maintain service levels.
Integrations & Add-ons
SkyTab’s list of integrations is reasonably extensive, covering everything from accounting systems to food delivery providers and inventory management systems.
Although SkyTab has the ability to handle certain things itself – such as online ordering and email marketing – it still offers integrations for those already using alternative systems. Available integrations include those for Mailchimp, Shogo, BarVision, DoorDash, Uber Eats, 7Shifts, and many more.
Ease of Use
SkyTab’s interface is bold and simple to understand for general restaurant staff. In addition, the management reporting interface is clear and the included charts are easy to understand. The reporting interface is accessible via the POS system’s cloud-based back office and via a mobile app.
Customer Support
As is to be expected from a large and established company, SkyTab offers a range of customer support options. Pleasingly, these are all available to all customers. Some providers charge extra for 24/7 support or only provide it to those on the most expensive tiers. So, the included support provided by SkyTab is a feature that sets the POS system apart.
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24/7 Help & Support
24/7 support is available to all SkyTab customers, via phone and online chat. -
Phone Support
Telephone support is available via an 888 toll-free number. -
Live Online Chat
SkyTab provides online chat support to registered customers. -
Video Tutorials
SkyTab’s online Resource Centre includes a large collection of “how-to” videos, and there are also a number of webinars available. -
Blog
SkyTab’s blog section is compact, but includes articles covering industry advice, POS basics and reporting.
Final Word
SkyTab focuses specifically on food service businesses, concentrating on doing one thing and doing it well. The company’s approach to maintaining control of both hardware and software resembles that taken by Apple, and allows SkyTab to maintain a thorough and detailed library of customer documentation.
Support from SkyTab is notably comprehensive, with staff available 24/7/365, and no irritating restrictions on which customers pay enough to access the highest grade of support.
The functionality offered here is extensive, with thought given to how restaurants typically do business these days. Online delivery orders, contact-free ordering and QR code functionality are all available “out of the box.” Marketing and loyalty features also go well beyond the minimum required.
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