Aloha Cloud Reviews

“fast and simple setup”

Pros

Using it at the POS is very simple and training new staff doesn't take much time. Adding new products, updating prices or changing menus is simple to do and the system runs quickly.

Cons

After installing a new version we lost a lot of the previous data and settings. Support can also be inconsistent at times and occasionally we end up with someone who doesn't seem fully familiar with how to handle the issue.

“what a joke”

Pros

The loyalty program concept is appealing and the pricing for it is reasonable. That's it.

Cons

Customer service is terrible at best. I would not recommend using NCR and I'll definitely be switching to something else. Save yourself the time.

“very user-friendly”

Pros

So user-friendly. I could train new hires on it without a problem. Processing payments and closing out checks is simple. For bartenders it's one of the most natural setups I've come across.

Cons

I've noticed that the available functions can vary depending on where I've used it. Also during a power outage there's no built-in backup battery and no way to access open checks.

“Occasional hiccups”

Pros

The way files are organized works really well and the interface is user-friendly. It's also useful for keeping HR documents together with other paperwork in one place.

Cons

It can be glitchy at times and communication within the customer service department isn't always consistent. For example one representative told us one thing while another gave us different information.

“detailed reporting”

Pros

Once I knew my way around Aloha it was an amazing system. I can manage just about everything in one place from reports and inventory to sales. It also keeps track of what employees are entering and shows who is voiding tickets.

Cons

Getting the most out of Aloha takes training and you really need a class to understand everything it can do.

“Reliable system”

Pros

Running front of house with it is pretty simple. Since it's a familiar industry-standard system training and day-to-day use feel fairly comfortable. It's also dependable and the customer service is good if you're paying for that level of support.

Cons

The software feels outdated and there haven't been many meaningful add-on upgrades. Reporting is also limited so we still have to rely on a secondary program like CTUIT to get the reports we need.

“frustrating backend”

Pros

The front end feels user-friendly with a clean and simple layout. Menus look polished and moving through the screens as a manager is pretty easy.

Cons

I found it very difficult to work through the back office. Adding items across multiple screens takes far too long and makes the process frustrating.

“laggy menu edits”

Pros

Weekly and summary reports are clear cut. I can adjust clock-ins so easily since it doesn't take much effort. I also like being able to temporarily disable a menu item.

Cons

Changing the menu or adding new items involves too many steps and having several different cash-out sheets makes end-of-shift counting more complicated than it should be.

“multi-unit reporting”

Pros

Doesn't take long to get started with this. It works especially well for multi-unit operations. I like that I was able to buy Aloha outright instead of paying monthly fees. The reporting gives you the key information needed to run and manage the business efficiently. The system itself has been very durable.

Cons

NCR support isn't very helpful. Response times when issues come up can be slow. There are also monthly charges for optional add-ons like e-cards and loyalty and you're limited when it comes to swipe e-cards because they can't be purchased from outside sources.

“Frustrating back office setup”

Pros

I honestly can't think of any positives to mention.

Cons

Working with this system for back office input has been really frustrating. It's hard to use it doesn't connect well with any accounting software and customer support hasn't been helpful at all.

“abysmal support”

Pros

There wasn't much we appreciated about this software. It has been very difficult to use and there are several ongoing issues that NCR still hasn't resolved. Completing a customer transaction takes far too many steps. They also do not seem to have enough staff and I have spent a lot of time just waiting for their representatives.

Cons

Whenever we contact NCR as a merchant for help with software failures the response is not immediate at all. Their phone system keeps saying "if you want to wait for the next available representative press 2" and that same message repeats about every 10 seconds. It becomes very frustrating and discouraging to sit through. Obviously I'm calling because I want to speak with a representative so hearing that over and over feels ridiculous.

“difficult setup”

Pros

At the end of the day it does what we need it to do for the most part and when issues come up now and then they're usually handled without too much trouble.

Cons

The service side was the biggest disappointment. Getting the system set up was a terrible experience for us. Even with at least three trained technicians involved in the installation it still took four frustrating weeks to get everything working the way it was supposed to.

“Not user-friendly”

Pros

It covers the basic features you'd expect but beyond that I really don't have much positive to say about the company or the system.

Cons

This feels like a legacy product that's far from user-friendly. Even the screen colors look extremely dated. The customer service response has been unbelievably poor. In a restaurant business every minute counts so that kind of support is a serious problem.

“quick to learn”

Pros

Compared with the other restaurant systems I've worked with Aloha has been the simplest to pick up and one of the most commonly used. Staff who have food service experience usually already know their way around the interface. Updating or changing menu items is also very simple.

Cons

Visually it's not the most attractive system I've seen although I'm not sure whether newer versions have improved the look. Because of that I wouldn't recommend having the screen visible to customers even though I see that setup in plenty of restaurants.

“beginner-friendly”

Pros

I found the system simple to work with. Even a brand-new employee can jump in and start using it without much trouble. It's also nice that it can be used either as an in-house system or through the cloud depending on what the business needs.

Cons

The in-house setup can be a bit confusing when a restaurant or store tries to handle it on their own. It does require some technical knowledge to get everything set up properly.

“Simple to understand”

Pros

Very easy to understand for me and my staff.

Cons

It's on the expensive side.

“fast service”

Pros

Everything moves quickly and they understand exactly what my business is asking for.

Cons

They send too many emails.

“frustrating delays in customer support”

Pros

It keeps track of traffic and includes all the core features we need.

Cons

Whenever something goes wrong it takes far too long to get it resolved. The service department is not nearly responsive enough.

“weak engineering”

Pros

The back office provides useful data for our business.

Cons

Customer support has been disappointing and the engineering quality feels poor.

“Very dependable system”

Pros

I really appreciate how dependable it is. Barely crashes.

Cons

Making changes can be a bit complicated. A few features still feel disconnected especially the takeout module. That isn't integrated very well.