---
title: How are Handheld Devices changing the hospitality industry?
description: SPARK's Handheld devices can help streamline hospitality business operations by increasing employee productivity, efficiency and most importantly, sales.
image: https://blog.sparkepos.com/hubfs/SPARK%20Handheld%20Visual.png
---
[](https://www.sparkepos.com/)
- [Home](https://www.sparkepos.com/)
- SPARK EPoS
- [SPARK EPoS](https://www.sparkepos.com/spark-epos/)
- [SPARK Kiosk](https://www.sparkepos.com/spark-kiosk/)
- [SPARK KDS](https://www.sparkepos.com/spark-kds/)
- [SPARK Pay](https://www.sparkepos.com/spark-pay/)
- [SPARK Handheld](https://www.sparkepos.com/spark-handheld/)
- [SPARK Mobile Ordering](https://www.sparkepos.com/mobile-ordering/)
- [SPARK Reservations](https://www.sparkepos.com/reservations/)
- [SPARK CRM](https://www.sparkepos.com/spark-crm/)
- [SPARK Staff Scheduling](https://www.sparkepos.com/staff-scheduling/)
- [SPARK Stock Management](https://www.sparkepos.com/stock-management/)
- [SPARK Capital](https://partners.lenkie.com/spark?platformId=e8ef16cc-2a7f-477f-9834-99225331d6a9&platformName=spark)
- [SPARK Robotics](https://www.sparkepos.com/robotics/)
- [Introducing Smart Robotics](https://www.sparkepos.com/robotics/)
- [BellaBot](https://www.sparkepos.com/bella/)
- [KettyBot](https://www.sparkepos.com/ketty-bot/)
- [HolaBot](https://www.sparkepos.com/hola-bot/)
- [SwiftBot](https://www.sparkepos.com/swiftbot/)
- [PuduBot 2](https://www.sparkepos.com/pudubot-2/)
- [Puductor](https://www.sparkepos.com/puductor/)
- [Pudu CC1](https://www.sparkepos.com/pudu-cc1/)
- [SP50](https://www.sparkepos.com/sp50/)
- [L50](https://www.sparkepos.com/l50/)
- [Phantas](https://www.sparkepos.com/phantas/)
- [ButlerBot W3](https://www.sparkepos.com/butlerbot-w3/)
- About Us
- [News & Blog](https://blog.sparkepos.com/blog)
- [About Us](https://www.sparkepos.com/about-us/)
- [Contact Us](https://www.sparkepos.com/contact-us/)
- [Careers](https://www.sparkepos.com/careers-v1/)
- [Our Services](https://www.sparkepos.com/our-services/)
- [Partnership](https://www.sparkepos.com/partnership/)
x
# How are Handheld Devices changing the hospitality industry?
Jul / 2021
[Epos](https://blog.sparkepos.com/blog/tag/epos), [Hospitality](https://blog.sparkepos.com/blog/tag/hospitality)
## How are Handheld Devices changing the hospitality industry?
Written by [Olivia McDonald](https://blog.sparkepos.com/blog/author/olivia-mcdonald)
**Handheld Point of Sale devices** are becoming more popular, and many operators are turning to them due to the proven benefits they offer to bars, restaurants, staff, and guests. 41% of restaurants use, or will soon use handheld server tablets.
When considering whether or not to introduce handhelds into operation, bars should identify the problems they are trying to solve and how the change could enhance the experience for both staff and guests.
What is SPARK Handheld?
[**SPARK’s Handheld**](https://www.sparkepos.com/spark-handheld/) is a **mobile POS** and ordering device that works in perfect sync with [**SPARK’s EPoS terminal**](https://www.sparkepos.com/spark-epos/).
With SPARK’s Handheld, staff don’t need to learn a whole new system because it has a similar interface to SPARK EPoS.
It will also **reduce the cost** of having paper notepads for order-taking, further helping to save the planet as well as ensuring that all sales sync in the back office.
An add on feature that SPARK has is if a bar sells out of a particular product, our stock management system will automatically update on the Handheld so staff don’t sell an out of stock item.
What makes SPARK’s Handheld stand out from the rest?
SPARK’s Handheld has all the powerful features from a SPARK Terminal in one compact package.
- **Staff Time Management**
Manage the working hours of staff easily, all hours logged on the handheld are synced with the Cloud Office every day.
- **User-friendly Design**
Operator experience is our focus when designing our handheld devices. A simple user journey greatly reduces staff training time.
- **App Personalisation**
All of the menu items will display the custom upsells and preferences automatically.
- **High Performance**
Our devices are fast, responsive and equipped with a large battery to last the entire service session.
- **Product Reports**
All transactions are recorded in the Cloud Office and also on the device's local transaction history to make all reports easily accessible.
- **Real-Time Data Sync**
Our handhelds will sync with all other devices within our **Cloud ecosystem** to make monitoring venue traffic simple.
[For more information about SPARK Handheld, Check out our website!](https://www.sparkepos.com/spark-handheld/)
**Enhance** [**Customer Experience**](https://www.sparkepos.com/customer-experience-ways-to-improve-it/)
Ensuring customers are happy is every bartender’s top priority. With a **Handheld POS**, customers will be thrilled to know that the second their order has been taken, the kitchen has received it.
They can also use the POS as a visual menu, showcasing **different offerings to guests** who can’t make up their minds on which dessert to choose or who are curious to see the selection of cocktails.
Arming staff with the ability to input orders tableside shows that venues care about catering to **consumers' ever-changing needs** and that venues want to do everything they can to ensure their **experience at the establishment is positive**. By giving staff the tools required to deliver a **seamless restaurant experience**, pubs can expect a **dramatic increase in customer satisfaction, loyalty, and positive word of mouth**.
With the current **Covid** situation, having multiple guests touch different areas of the bar poses more risk to customers and the staff. Also, bars will have to **maintain a more vigorous cleaning regime**.
Sticking to table ordering means that customers only touch their table, meaning a **safer environment** for customers and staff. Only the table area is clean and disinfected once that party of guests leaves.
**Table ordering and payment** also shows a sense of responsibility to older, less mobile customers. Consumers **can save multiple trips to the** [**bar**](https://www.sparkepos.com/bar-fundamentals/) whilst they’re having afternoon drinks with friends.
**Upsell with Ease**
The more time staff can spend at a tableside, the **more chances they have to upsell items** to patrons. 70-95% of revenue comes from upsells and renewals on average. [**SPARK’s Handheld**](https://www.sparkepos.com/project/handheld-m2/) will even go so far as to **prompt servers to upsell**. For example, if they’re entering an order for a burger, a modifier will appear on the screen reminding them to ask the guest, “Would they like to add chips or salad with that?”. Even while taking dessert orders, managers can set the Handheld POS to have a pop-up reminding staff to ask: “A coffee as well?” These helpful **reminders** will make staff superstar upsellers, while also **increasing their tips thanks to the increased check sizes**.
**Streamline Your Order Taking**
**A handheld POS** can also help **streamline hospitality businesses operations** by increasing employee **productivity, efficiency and most importantly, sales**.
A mobile POS system not only streamlines the ordering process so food is delivered to customers faster, but it **also makes for painless order modifications**, allowing servers to **accommodate custom requests**. "Light on the tomatoes, heavy on the dressing, and cheese, please?" No problem. By significantly **increasing the speed and efficiency of service, staff can turn more tables in a shorter amount of time**.
Statistics show that **72% of customers** stated food not coming fast enough was their number one frustration followed by **45% who stated incorrect orders** as a major annoyance when eating out. While cheques written on paper have been a reliable way of taking orders for years now, bad handwriting can often lead to staff making mistakes. Instead, staff can take orders using SPARK’s Handheld. **Orders will then transfer directly to the main** [**terminal**](https://www.sparkepos.com/project/masonry-project-08/) **or bar printer, meaning seamless ordering**.
**Create a Better Checkout Experience**
**Check out** is the last transactional exchange between staff and customer. A Handheld POS can help end this interaction on a **positive note** by allowing waiters to **conveniently take payments at the table**. The days of painful payment processing are over; waitresses no longer need to run from a stationary POS to a patron’s table to take payment. Instead, providing patrons with the **ability to make a secure** [**payment**](https://www.sparkepos.com/spark-pay/) **from the comfort of their seat**, without their credit card leaving their sight. This mobility is an added level of convenience for both staff and customers.
What about the dreaded “Can we split this bottle of wine between the three of us, and the dessert between the two of us?” You bet! With [SPARK’s Handheld](https://blog.sparkepos.com/blog/wireless-restaurants-its-in-your-hands), **all checks can be split easily at the table and customers** will be forever thankful for the ease with which they can settle their bills and be on their way.
With over three-quarters of restaurant owners and managers citing the benefits of mobile devices as the top reason to upgrade their POS systems…why wouldn’t you? **Set yourself apart from competitors with SPARK’s Handheld!** Thanks to **speedy and reliable mobile POS technology** with tableside ordering ability, bars can make their customers experience top-notch, staff more efficient, and hospitality businesses more profitable!
[](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/6083570/347ec483-c0aa-4803-910b-5220ada64c95)
##### We could help you save 50% off your operational cost
[Get your SPARK](https://www.sparkepos.com/book-a-demo/)
SPARK delivers affordable industry-leading technology, reducing operational costs, achieving greater profitability and enhancing customer experiences through digital solutions.
## Follow us on social media
## Resources
- [Our Store](https://store.sparkepos.com)
- [Customer Support](https://helpcentre.sparkepos.com)
- [Our News](https://blog.sparkepos.com)
## About SPARK
- [About us](https://www.sparkepos.com/about-us/)
- [Contact us](https://www.sparkepos.com/contact-us/)
- [Careers](https://www.sparkepos.com/careers/)
- [Partnership](https://partner.sparkepos.com)
### News and Blogs