Liquor Control Interface (Berg and Berg emulated systems)

Berg Liquor Control Features

Using a Berg Liquor Control System, drinks entered from the server stations automatically populate on the bartender’s terminal. The bartender taps the drink, unlocking the controls on the liquor bottles to pour the drinks. After the drink is poured, Berg sends a message to the POS to remove the drink from the "pending open drink list".

• Precision Pouring: Say goodbye to over-pouring and revenue loss. Berg's cutting-edge technology ensures every ounce is accounted for, maximizing your profits.
• Smart Monitoring: Keep a close eye on your beverage inventory in real-time. This intelligent monitoring system alerts you to potential issues, helping you stay ahead of the game.
• User-Friendly Interface: Designed with simplicity in mind, Berg Liquor Control is easy to install and easy to use. Your staff will be up and running in no time, without disrupting the flow of your business.
• Customizable Settings: Tailor the system to meet your unique needs. From pour sizes to inventory alerts, Berg Liquor Control puts you in control of your beverage management.
• Comprehensive Reporting: Gain valuable insights into your sales and beverage trends. Make data-driven decisions that impact your bottom line positively.

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About the Interface

The Berg liquor system works on a PLU system. The Berg interface is a direct communication link between
Berg dispensers and MicroSale terminals which will capture and release sales automatically as each drink is poured.

Tip a bottle over, push a button on a liquor gun or push a button on a beer tap, and the Berg system sends a message to the point of sale with the respective PLU number. MicroSale will then respond with an acknowledgement that it rang up the required PLU or that the PLU was previously rang up and give the ‘ok’ to release the liquor.

How it Works

The Berg interface is connected via a serial data cable with two-way communication; there are two distinct interface types that are available through MicroSale.

Interface Types:

• Direct Ring

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• Speed Pour:

• When a drink is poured, it automatically appears on the order screen, initiating a new check unless a previous check is accessed prior to pouring.
• **If you pour a drink prior to pulling up a previous check, you will need to transfer the drink item or merge the checks. (MicroSale does this to stop the START OVER or VOID/DELETE functions without manager approval).
   

  Speed Pour and Store

  This option gives the bartender more flexibility. The bartender can quickly pour all necessary drinks (while the system automatically rings in the drink). The bartender can quickly tap the poured drink from the unassigned list and assign it to the proper check(s) when the rush has slowed down.

  • When a drink is poured, the drink is placed in a queue of “Open Drinks”.
  • The bartender can close the tab, create a new tab or add to an existing tab.
  • Each drink is recorded and stored in the Open Drink function.
  • Employees are responsible for assigning each drink to the appropriate customer tab (if running tabs).
  • If no tab is open, employees have the option to collect payment immediately after dispensing the drink.
  • MicroSale can generate exception reports to identify drinks poured but not assigned or money collected.
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• Pre-Check

• Pre-Check has two options: Exceptions and Disable Free Pour

• Exceptions:

  The Exception Report will identify all drinks poured but not assigned or money collected.
• Exception Report: Bartenders can pour a drink at any time, with MicroSale tracking poured and rang drinks. The system cancels out matching poured and rang drinks, generating an Exception Report for unpaired drinks.

• Pre-Check is used in full service restaurants where servers ring in drinks from the floor. When a server rings in a drink, the drink automatically prints at the bar station. Since the drink has been rang into the system, the Berg system allows the drink to be poured at the bar station. The floor terminals and bar stations “talk” through the Liquor Dispensing Server. The Liquor Dispensing Server is a site-wide background application running on each terminal in the restaurant.

  **Pre-Check should ONLY be enabled on the wait stations (where servers enter in the drinks to send to the bar stations***

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• Disable Free Pour:

• Locks the pour spouts until the drink is entered into the POS, unlocking the pouring mechanism.

Wait Station (additional option for either Direct Ring or Pre-Check)

This option is available for Direct Ring and Pre-Check

For full service restaurants, the Wait Service feature complements the “Direct Ring” functionality. The Wait Service feature provides servers the ability to ring in drinks from the floor while the poured liquor is still fully controlled by the Berg system.

When a server rings a drink, the drink automatically prints at the bar station as well as queues under the “Drink List” at the bar terminal. The drinks on the terminal show which server name rang the drink as well as the check number. As each drink is poured, the drink name is removed from the Drink List.

Wait Station alternative for older model Berg systems

For older Berg systems, the second option is created a $0 drink list for the servers to ring in. The server rings up a zero priced item (such as Absolut) then the bartender opens the servers tab on the bar register and rings up the Berg equivalent item.

**You must check "Drawer number 1 opens for anyone" or the bartender will receive the message "Drawer not assigned"

MicroSale/Berg Register Settings

Liquor Dispensing Server (Pre-Check)	Pre-check gives the bartender the ability to pour a drink at any time; allowing them to ring up a drink before or after the drink is poured. MicroSale keeps track of the drinks that have been poured and which drinks have been rang into the POS. The Berg and MicroSale system cancels out the matching poured and rang drink. The POS system also creates an “Exception Report” for drinks that have been poured but not rang. **Pre-Check should ONLY be enabled on the wait stations (where servers enter in the drinks to send to the bar stations*** **Pre-Check MUST be disabled on bar stations (bar stations that are using the Berg devices**
Disable Free Pour	This option disables the use of Berg's free pour option forcing the bartenders to use the liquor control toppers on the alcohol bottles.
Enable Speed Pour	If this option is selected then when you pour a drink using the Berg it will automatically ring up the menu item in MicroSale. If you are in an existing tab then it will add the item to the tab. If no tab is open MicroSale will prompt you to start when at that point. **Must be enabled on bar stations (bar stations that are using the Berg devices)**
Enable Speed Pour Store	Speed pour store enables MicroSale to store a list of the used menu items based on the audit of the bartender currently ringing in the sale. **Must be enabled on bar stations (bar stations that are using the Berg devices)**

Creating the drinks/pours within MicroSale

Direct Ring

All direct ring interface types are programmed the same in MicroSale.

1. Go to Menu Maintenance -> Menu Items and Pricing
2. Type in the menu item name
3. The PLU number must be matched from Berg PLU list (the PLU list is provided by your Berg representative)
4. With Direct Ring, each size (or pour length) and brand is programmed as individual menu items, such as:
   (Example) for Jack Daniels, sizes are Jack Daniels Short, Jack Daniels Tall, Jack Daniels Double, etc. each with their own menu button as well as individual PLU #. You will enter these asseparate menu items and 4 PLU numbers
   (your PLU numbers may vary)

• Jack Daniels S - 237
• Jack Daniels R - 238
• Jack Daniels L - 239
• Jack Daniels X - 240

If you are interfacing to a 7-code Berg system (703/704) you are limited to 7 different brands or price levels. Each of those price levels will have 3 or 4 portions allowed. For example; Code 1 Size 1, Code 1 Size 2, Code 3 Size 3; Code 2 Size 1, Code 2 Size 2, etc.

Pre-Check

Any liquors with multiple portions should be entered using modifiers.  This allows for a single button on the register so it does not show each portion available as separate menu items ---

Example: Jack Daniels Modifier of;

• Jack S
• Jack R
• Jack L
• Jack X

1. Create a menu item named Jack Daniels and assign it to the appropriate category, department and printer. You will not enter a price or PLU on the Menu Items and Pricing Screen.
2. Select "Go to Modifiers" or you can save this item and then go to the Modifier Setup Screen.
3. Create a modifier group for each brand of liquor (example, Jack Daniels). 
4. Create modifier names for each brand size, such as Jack Daniels S, Jack Daniels R, etc. Type in the price of each size (or pour length; for example, Jack Daniels S may be $3.50)
5. After each modifier name is typed in (and shown under "Modifier Name"), select the Liquor PLU List button (prompts a window where you will need to enter the appropriate PLU for that portion on the brand)
   
6. Enter the PLU number and the Quantity of Pours
   

Keep in mind that the PLU is what designates how much liquor is to be poured, not the value in the quantity field; the quantity field determines the number of pours required to make the drink. DO NOT TO USE FRACTIONS IN THE QUANTITY FIELD!!

When you are completed, select Save and attach the modifier group to a menu item.

Adding multiple PLUs to a single menu item

If you have any multi-liquor drinks or would like to create speed buttons; you can create direct menu items without modifiers.

1. Create the menu item (choose the pricing, appropriate print routing, etc.)
2. Select Ingredient List (red button on bottom of the screen). Place the appropriate PLU numbers in the window.
3. Select Done when completed and then Save.
4. When the item is rang, the liquor server will activate the appropriate liquors to be poured.

Example:  If you use the Jack Daniels shot button frequently, then you might place a button on the beverage screen and attached the PLU from Jack Daniels S. This would minimize button pushes for the bartender or waitress.

Example: If you are ringing in a Long Island Iced Tea, you must ring in a shot of Vodka, A shot of Rum, a Shot of Tequila and a Shot of Gin… Or you can create a menu item Long Island and attach the desired PLUs from the 4 different shots. In Short creating a cocktailing feature within the menu item.

Drinks can be made with a variety of different liquor amounts. Keep in mind that the PLU is what designates how much liquor is to be poured, not the value in the quantity field; the quantity field determines the number of pours required to make the drink. DO NOT TO USE FRACTIONS IN THE QUANTITY FIELD!!