Alister Thyne

Alister Thyne is a renowned expert in the field of designing Point of Sale (POS) systems for the hospitality industry. With a background in technology and a passion for creating innovative solutions, Alister has dedicated over 35 years to revolutionising the way businesses in the hospitality sector manage their operations.

Alister's POS journey began in 1988 when he conceptualised and developed the first version of a POS system. Inspired by the Pick OS and utilizing an IBM AT running DOS 3.1, Alister's initial program, written in Pascal, incorporated modules that enabled multitasking and RS232 communication with multiple wise terminals. This cost-effective solution allowed for a network of 10 POS registers catering to the bar and nightclub market. With integrated back-office functionality, including stock control, reporting, and real-time data access, the system quickly gained traction, in the hospitality industry.

As the technology evolved, so did Alister's POS systems. The second version utilised OS2 and C++ SQL to meet the growing demands of larger hospitality venues and enhanced back-office management capabilities. With the introduction of Windows 95, the third version took advantage of the widely adopted operating system, ensuring compatibility and improved functionality for users.

Innovation continued with the fourth version, which embraced the emerging touchscreen technology. Alister recognised the advantage of touch screens in maximising screen real estate and revolutionised the user interface. By optimizing the UI, he maximised the area for product items while minimising management buttons, creating a tree-like structure that facilitated quick and efficient navigation.

Throughout his career, Alister has focused on POS system design and expanded his expertise to include hardware design, ERP systems, and food processing automation. His commitment to excellence led him to build a robust dealer network for previous versions of his POS systems, ensuring widespread access to his innovative solutions.

Looking to the future, Alister is dedicated to embedding AI functionality into the core of his latest POS system, completing ERP interfaces for corporate customers, and exploring partnerships in robotic kitchens. With a keen eye for technological advancements and a commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the hospitality industry, Alister continues to push boundaries and shape the future of POS systems.

Alister Thyne's remarkable journey and contributions have made him a respected figure in the field. His passion for designing POS systems that enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction is evident in his extensive work spanning multiple industries and countries across the APAC region.