Foreign Currencies
Select Maintenance > Payments > Foreign Currencies to access this function.
Use the Foreign Currencies function to set up foreign currencies as acceptable methods of payment at a restaurant location. When the FOH staff presses the tender button that corresponds to the foreign currency, the Aloha POS system uses the exchange rate to convert the amount to local currency, which then appears on screen.
The name of the foreign currency, its exchange rate, the amount tendered, and the corresponding amount in local currency appear on the guest check. If the amount entered does not equal the amount of the check, the change due amount or balance due amount also appear in local currency.
Foreign currency amounts appear on guest checks, pole displays, and other peripheral devices that show foreign currency, as follows:
| Name | Exchange Rate | Foreign Amount | Local Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pound | 1.65 | £8.00 | $13.20 |
Tip: When you update the exchange rate for a foreign currency, a real-time update screen appears for you to send the foreign currency information to the FOH terminals immediately. If you choose not to, you must wait for the End-of-Day (EOD) process to accomplish the data refresh for you.
Foreign Currency tab
Use the Foreign Currency tab to define basic information about foreign currencies as a method of payment.
Group Bar: Settings
Name — Identifies the foreign currency. Type a maximum of 20 characters.
Symbol — Identifies the symbol that appears on the FOH terminal when you select the tender. Sometimes, you must copy and paste the applicable symbol from another application, such as the character map located in Windows.
Decimal places — Specifies the number of digits to the right of the decimal point. Although two is the standard for North America, many nations require three digits to the right of the decimal.
Decimal separator — Specifies the character to use to separate whole values from fractional values.
Thousands separator — Specifies the character used to separate numbers in thousands. North American custom specifies a comma as the thousands separator; however, European custom requires a period.
Display in balance due section — Forces the foreign currency to always appear next to the local currency on the FOH balance due screen.
Display in change due section — Shows the foreign currency amount along with the local currency amount on the FOH change due screen.
Positive format — Specifies the format for showing currency in positive amounts. For example, using the format ‘$1.10’ or ‘1.10$,’ all currency with a value of one or greater appears as a positive number, followed by a decimal (or decimals).
Negative format — Designates the format to use for displaying currency in negative amounts. For example, using the format ‘- $1.10,’ ‘(1.10),’ or ‘-1.10$,’ all currency with a value less than zero appears as a negative number, followed by a decimal (or decimals).
Exchange rate — Determines the multiplier used to convert between the local currency and the foreign currency. The exchange rate should be monitored regularly. It is very important to understand the direction of the currency exchange when entering the rate in this box. If the Aloha POS system does not apply the exchange rate correctly, you can inadvertently undercharge or overcharge a customer.
Tip: To ensure the correct direction of exchange, ask yourself which currency has a greater value, then use this logic: If the foreign currency has a higher value than the local currency, the exchange rate must be greater than 1.00. If the foreign currency has a lower value than the local currency, the exchange rate must be less than 1.00.
Prefix for exchange rate on check — Specifies the characters to precede the exchange rate on checks. Type a maximum of three characters.
Suffix for exchange rate on check — Specifies the characters to follow the exchange rate on checks. Type a maximum of three characters.
Group Bar: Payment display
Use the Payment Display group bar to determine special characters that precede and follow a payment on checks.
Prefix for payment on a check — Specifies the characters to precede a payment on checks.
Suffix for payment on a check — Specifies the characters to follow a payment on checks.