How long does an Ai-Menu POS installation take?

A single-terminal setup with receipt printing takes 3-4 hours. A 2-3 terminal venue with kitchen printing and integrated EFTPOS typically takes a full day (6-8 hours). A full deployment with tablet menus, Ai-Bump screens, QR ordering, and multi-section printing usually takes 1.5-2 days, with cabling and network infrastructure often handled as a separate pre-visit.

Does Ai-Menu POS work without internet?

Yes - Ai-Menu runs on a local server installed at your venue. POS operations, kitchen printing, and table-service workflows continue functioning during internet outages because they communicate over the local network rather than the internet. Cloud-dependent features like remote reporting and online ordering require internet connectivity.

What is the Ai-Menu local server and why does it matter for installation?

The Ai-Menu local server is a dedicated mini-PC installed at your venue that runs the Ai-POS software and stores your menu, transaction data, and configuration. All POS terminals, tablet menus, kitchen printers, and bump screens connect to it over your local network. This architecture makes Ai-Menu more resilient than cloud-only systems during outages, but means installation is more involved - the server, network, and every connected device must all be correctly configured to communicate.

Installation Guide

Ai-Menu POS installation
what’s involved & what to expect

Published: 11 Aug 2026

Ai-Menu is a Brisbane-based hospitality technology platform built around a local server architecture. The system’s core runs on-site at your venue rather than entirely in the cloud, which makes it more resilient during internet outages but also makes installation more involved than plugging in a tablet and downloading an app.

Ai-Menu POS local server and terminal installation at a Brisbane restaurant.

About HospoDoc: HospoDoc is a separate on-site hospitality IT support service. We support Ai-Menu POS systems in the field. For sales enquiries about the Ai-Menu platform itself, contact Ai-Menu Systems directly.

What makes Ai-Menu different to install

Most cloud-based POS systems run primarily on external servers. Your venue’s hardware is just a window into the software. Ai-Menu runs on a dedicated local server installed at your venue. Every POS terminal, tablet menu, kitchen printer, and bump screen connects to that server over your local network.

This means installation is a proper infrastructure project. The server needs to be physically installed, the local network configured correctly, and every device needs to reliably find and communicate with that server.

What you need before installation day

Ai-Menu licence confirmed — subscription, number of terminals, and enabled products such as Ai-POS, tablet menus, Ai-Bump, and QR ordering confirmed with Ai-Menu before the technician arrives.
Physical server unit on-site — the Ai-Menu local server needs to be present with a permanent location, power, and ethernet access.
Business-grade router and switches — not the ISP-supplied unit. Ai-Menu’s local server architecture puts specific demands on the local network.
Ethernet cabling run to fixed terminals — POS terminals at counters and bars should be on wired ethernet. If cabling has not been run, organise this 1–2 weeks before installation day.
All hardware on-site — terminals, stands, cash drawers, printers, and kitchen bump screens all need to be present before configuration begins.
Menu data in a spreadsheet — categories, items, prices, modifiers, and which kitchen section each item prints to.
EFTPOS terminal on-site — if using Ai-Menu’s integrated EFTPOS, the terminal needs to be present for pairing and testing during installation.

How an Ai-Menu installation works

Server installation & network setup

The Ai-Menu server is installed in its permanent location, typically back-of-house with stable power and ethernet. Static IP assigned to the server. Local network configured with a dedicated SSID for POS and tablet devices.

Printer configuration

All receipt and kitchen printers connected to the network, assigned static IPs, and added to Ai-Menu Admin with correct print groups. Test dockets printed from every combination before moving on.

POS terminal setup

Ai-POS application installed on each terminal and pointed to the local server. Terminal-specific settings configured, including table layouts, staff permissions, receipt printer, and cash drawer.

Tablet menu setup

Tablets connected to the server over Wi-Fi, app installed, full menu synced. Sync speed and image loading tested at each tablet’s physical table location because Wi-Fi signal varies across a dining room.

Ai-Bump kitchen display setup

Bump screens installed in the kitchen and connected to the local network. Wired ethernet is strongly recommended for kitchen locations because heat, steam, and appliance interference make Wi-Fi unreliable.

EFTPOS integration

EFTPOS terminal paired with Ai-Menu POS. Integrated payment flow tested so the amount passes from POS to EFTPOS terminal automatically. Live test transaction processed before sign-off.

Menu build & verification

If pre-loaded, the menu is reviewed and tested. Orders are placed for items across every category and verified against the correct kitchen printer or bump screen.

Staff training & handover

Daily open and close procedures, common order types, EOD reports, basic troubleshooting, and contact details for HospoDoc on-site support provided.

Realistic installation timeframes

Single terminal, receipt printing only: 3–4 hours
2–3 terminals, kitchen printing, integrated EFTPOS: 6–8 hours, usually a full day
Full deployment with tablets, bump screens, QR ordering, and multi-section printing: 1.5–2 days, with cabling and network often handled as a separate pre-visit

Most common cause of delayed installations: Arriving on-site to find ethernet cabling has not been run, or that the menu data is not ready. Both add significant time. If your venue needs ethernet cabling to counter positions or kitchen areas, organise it 1–2 weeks before installation day.

Getting Ai-Menu installed at your venue?HospoDoc provides on-site Ai-Menu installation support across Brisbane, Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast.

1300 467 761 Talk to our team