Five stages, in the order they happen. Check things off as you go. Your progress saves on this device, so you can come back to it from the same phone or computer.
Saved
Getting started0 of 0 complete
Every stage is checked off.
Your location is ready. Keep this page for the support numbers, and dig into the training links in the last stage.
Stage 1
Kick-off
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Your dedicated Onboarding Specialist runs the process from here. The welcome call walks you through what's coming, surveys your site over video, and releases your hardware to ship.
What SpotOn does
Welcome call. Your specialist explains each stage and sets dates.
Builds your website from the questionnaire you fill out.
Virtual site survey. A 15-minute Zoom walk-through of hardware locations, wiring, network and internet speed.
Ships your hardware. Stations, printers, KDS and networking gear go out after the call.
What you do
Virtual site survey: what to have ready
Remote via Zoom, about 15 minutes. Offered in English or Spanish. Your specialist books it with you, or use the links in your Site Readiness Guide.
You must be on site the day of the survey.
A phone or tablet with a rear-facing camera to walk the space on video.
A computer plugged into your network by cable for the speed test (recommended), and a flashlight for dark corners (optional).
Still under construction? SpotOn is happy to do a walk-through now so you can plan your wiring. Book the same survey.
Stage 2
Site readiness
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All nine items must be true before installation day. Open "Why it matters" on any item for the specifics an electrician or low-voltage tech will ask for.
Why it matters
Finish construction and remodeling, including bars, countertops and wall mounts, before the install is scheduled. Ongoing work damages network and power cables and throws dust that damages equipment. If a SpotOn Implementation Specialist has to come on site to troubleshoot construction-related issues, additional costs apply.
Why it matters
Every station, kitchen printer, access point and kitchen display runs on wired Ethernet rated for 100 Mbps or more. The only SpotOn hardware on Wi-Fi is the handheld. Each cable needs to:
Run from where the device will sit to the internet modem
Be terminated with RJ45 female jacks to the T568B scheme, ideally in a wall plate or surface-mount box
Have six to ten feet of slack at each end for last-minute adjustments
Carry a matching label (color, name) on both ends
Cat 5e / Cat 6RJ45 female · T568B6–10 ft slack each endLabeled both ends
Why it matters
"Home run" means each station, printer, KDS and access point has its own direct, uninterrupted line back to the modem. With only a few cables you can terminate to a wall-mounted plate. To stay PCI compliant, the home run must be secured behind a lock or in a rack so the public can't reach it.
Why it matters
Cut or drill a cable hole in every counter or bar top that will hold a POS station:
1¼–2 in diameterNext to the station, not under itWithin 2 ft of the station
Why it matters
If you want monitors or kitchen displays on the wall, the mounts go up before install day. SpotOn installers do not bring ladders or drills.
Why it matters
Fiber or cable internet is recommended. Test at a free site like speedtest.net, ideally from a computer plugged in by cable. With four or more stations, handhelds or KDS, plan on 50 Mbps down.
On a complex network, put the SpotOn system on its own secure VLAN, preferably with quality of service (QoS), so it always has bandwidth.
25 Mbps ↓ / 10 Mbps ↑ minimum50 Mbps ↓ with 4+ devicesVLAN + QoS on busy networks
Why it matters
Handhelds need strong Wi-Fi (around -55 to -60 dBm) everywhere orders are taken, patio included. Weak signal means syncing problems, late kitchen tickets and an unstable system. Mount access points on the ceiling in open, central spots:
At least one access point per floor
A dedicated access point for each outdoor space (patio, courtyard)
Concrete and metal block Wi-Fi and cellular; place around them
< 1,000 sq ft · 1 AP1,000–2,000 sq ft · 2 APs> 2,000 sq ft · 3+ APs
Why it matters
Cables should be the right length, accurately labeled, bundled where it helps and fastened to walls where needed. If the closet is a tangle, hire a certified low-voltage tech before install day rather than after.
Why it matters
SpotOn POS needs an isolated ground circuit. A separate grounding path cuts the electrical noise other equipment in the building generates. Then confirm a standard outlet within five feet of each device location.
Isolated ground circuitOutlet ≤ 5 ft from each device
A note on on-site installersIf you chose an on-site implementation, SpotOn experts do not bring ladders or drills. Holes, mounts and cabling need to be done before they arrive.
What each device needs
Use this with your electrician and cabling tech. Every wired device needs both a power outlet and its own Ethernet line back to the networking area.
Device
Power
Network
Pronto router
Outlet
Ethernet line from the modem
Pronto access point
Powered over Ethernet (PoE)
Ethernet line, ceiling-mounted
PoE switch
Outlet
Ethernet line
Regular networking switch
Outlet
Ethernet line
Handheld
Outlet for the chargerSpotOn provides the charger
Wi-Fi via the access points
SpotOn StationAll models, including kiosk stations
Outlet
Ethernet line
Kitchen display (KDS)
Outlet
Ethernet line
Kitchen printerAll models
Outlet
Ethernet line
Receipt printer
Outlet
Cabled to the station
Cash drawer
None
Cabled to the receipt printer (RPOS) or the station (Express), cable provided
How it connects
The modem feeds the SpotOn Pronto router. Wired devices hang off a networking switch; handhelds reach the network through ceiling access points fed by a PoE switch.
Every wired box above also needs a power outlet within 5 feet. Access points draw power over their Ethernet line from the PoE switch.
Stage 3
POS build
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SpotOn's restaurant specialists build your menus, modifiers, table layout and staff permissions from what you send. The more complete and accurate your materials are now, the smoother install day goes.
What SpotOn does
Custom menu build by a SpotOn specialist, including modifiers and sub-items.
Virtual menu consultation so you can review the build before install.
Integration activations with your third-party software.
Walk-through of the finished build so it's configured exactly the way you want.
What you do
Menu and setup inventory
Everything a specialist needs to build your system. Items marked Core are the ones most builds start from. Skip anything you don't offer.
Before you send menus
Menu accuracy at install depends on what you provide now. Time spent here comes straight off install day.
Dual pricing? Make sure the menu you send shows the higher "credit" price.
You don't have to do this alone. Lean on key employees who know the current offerings.
Food
Beverages
Setup and staff
Everything else
Stage 4
Install & train
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On installation day SpotOn sets up your POS on your network, configures the software, tests it, then trains your managers and staff. Your job is to have the room, the data and the people ready.
What SpotOn does
Hardware installation of stations, printers, KDS, handhelds and networking gear.
Software configuration and testing on your network.
Fundamental POS training for managers and staff.
Closeout management training, so end of night runs clean.
What you do
Install day: have on hand
Gather these the day before. Each one has stopped an install somewhere.
Stage 5
Go live & dig in
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When you go live, SpotOn experts make sure everything is running the way it should: menus, staff permissions, ordering, payments, tip-outs and reporting. If you need adjustments, they help you make them.
What SpotOn does
Go-live support from SpotOn specialists during your first service.
Custom software configurations as you find what you want changed.
Close-out review and training at the end of the night.
24/7/365 support from here on: (877) 814-4102 or support@spoton.com.
What you do
Dig in
Now's the time to get the most out of your system. Tutorials, training videos, webinars and step-by-step guides are all free.
Reference
Glossary
The terms your installer and cabling tech will use.
Access point
Networking hardware that lets Wi-Fi devices such as handhelds join the wired network. As servers move through the restaurant, handhelds connect to whichever access point is in range.
Broadband internet
A high-speed internet connection, usually bought from your cable or telephone provider.
Cable drop
A connection point to your network, typically a wall plate with an Ethernet jack.
Cat 5e / Cat 6
The Ethernet cables used to hardwire SpotOn stations, printers and displays.
Internet modem
The device wired to your broadband provider's source cable. SpotOn needs at least one dedicated port on it.
KDS
Kitchen display screen. A digital screen that shows orders in the kitchen.
Home run
All cabling dedicated to SpotOn equipment, run back to a spot near the internet modem and terminated with RJ45 female jacks to the T568B scheme, ideally in a wall plate or surface-mount box.
Terminating cables
Connecting Ethernet cables to wall plates with female RJ45 connections using the T568B wiring scheme.
LAN / VLAN
A virtual LAN is a partitioned, isolated segment of your network. It lets systems that must stay separate share the same physical cabling without interfering, which improves security and traffic management.
PoE
Power over Ethernet. A PoE switch powers access points through the same cable that carries their data.
Built from SpotOn's Restaurant Implementation Process (06/25), Restaurant Implementation checklist (04/23) and Site Readiness Guide. Support: (877) 814-4102 · support@spoton.com · implementation@spoton.com