Dispensers are virtual profiles for configuring dispensing devices such as beverage tap systems, coffee machines, or vending machines. Each profile defines the mappings for products, operating mode, users, and tables for a specific dispensing device.
A corresponding license is required to work with dispensers. New dispenser profiles can only be created by Support.
Overview
The term "Dispenser" does not only refer to classic beverage tap systems for beer and other drinks. bessa supports all dispensing devices that use one of the supported protocols, including fully automatic coffee machines, cocktail machines, vending machines, and other dispensing equipment.
The hardware connection (USB or network) and communication protocol are configured directly on the POS terminal. For more information, see Tap Systems.
Configuration Areas
The dispenser configuration is divided into four areas: Dispenser, Products, Users, and Tables.
Dispenser
In the Dispenser area, you define the basic settings for the profile.
Name: Assign a descriptive name for the dispenser profile, for example "Main Bar Tap" or "Counter Coffee Machine".
Mode: The operating mode determines how transactions are processed between the POS and dispensing device.
|
Mode |
Description |
Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|
|
Credit |
Products are only released at the dispenser after being booked on the POS |
Classic table service: The server takes the order at the table, books it on the POS, and then dispenses at the tap |
|
Debit |
Dispensing at the tap automatically triggers a booking on the POS |
Bar operations with high turnover: Direct dispensing at the tap without prior POS booking – ideal when speed is more important than pre-booking |
|
Credit & Debit |
Combined mixed operation of both modes |
Flexible hospitality businesses: Servers work in credit mode for table bookings, while debit mode is used for direct dispensing at the bar |
Recommendation for mode selection: Use Credit mode for controlled workflows with a clear booking sequence. Debit mode is suitable for fast-paced bar operations where efficiency is paramount. Mixed operation offers maximum flexibility for businesses with different service areas.
Products
In the Products area, you map POS products to the PLU numbers (Price Look-Up) of the tap system.
Basic mapping: Each product from the POS system is assigned to a corresponding PLU on the dispenser. It is important that portion sizes are correctly configured on the dispenser (e.g., 2cl, 4cl, 1/8l, 1/4l, 1/2l).
Mixed drinks and recipes: Mixed drinks can also be configured via recipes, provided the individual portions exist on the dispenser. Examples include: white spritzer (white wine + soda), shandy (beer + lemonade), or cocktails.
Recommendation for product structure: Define dispenser products in dedicated product groups. Configure the portion products as inventory items and the sold products as inventory options (recipes). This way, the base portions do not appear on receipts, only the actually sold products.
Users
In the Users area, you map POS users to the corresponding user numbers on the dispenser.
Individual mapping: Each POS user receives their own user number on the dispenser. This enables precise tracking of dispensing operations to individual staff members.
Shared user number: In some setups, only one user exists on the dispenser. In this case, all POS users are assigned the same user number.
No mapping: If no user is assigned a number, the system sends user number 0, provided the dispenser supports this.
Tables
In the Tables area, you map tables from the POS system to table numbers on the dispenser.
This mapping is particularly relevant for more complex tap systems. It allows servers to only book drinks that have been allocated to the correct table.
If no table is defined, no table information is transmitted to the dispenser. This is sufficient for simple setups without table allocation.
Related Topics
-
Tap Systems – Hardware configuration and supported protocols
-
Articles - Create and manage articles
-
Users - Create and manage users
-
Tables - Create and manage tables
Labels: dispenser, tap-system, beverage-dispenser, pos-system, location-management, coffee-machine, credit, debit, plu