As lockdown restrictions begin to ease somewhat the hospitality sector is thinking about how to protect customers and staff under social distancing rules. Creating a safer, more contactless environment ironically goes against the very nature of hospitality but from enclosed dining pods to temperature checks, we have already seen diverse ideas for maintaining safety.

The uptake of BYOD technology and ordering directly from table to kitchen is becoming more common place. Digital menus allow venues to instantly modify the menu online in response to customer comments while optimising costs and processes. Although we have seen the limit for contactless payments raised, this may still prove a problem when dining out. Online payment or even QR code payment provide the option for customers to scan a digital QR code or a printed QR code located at the end of the receipt and pay directly via their phone. All this can, in turn, provide an enhanced customer experience.

Apps such as QikServe’s Preoday online, mobile ordering and pre-payment technology enable customers to use their own device or a tablet to place an order directly with the kitchen. For this, web and cloud enabled kitchen printers, capable of reliably accepting and queuing orders from multiple devices become essential.

Cloud technology and reliable connectivity

With technology such as Star’s CloudPRNT™, available on a range of Star POS printers including the compact and stylish mC-Print™ series, hospitality venues can incorporate a flexible ordering system to seamlessly integrate online and mobile purchasing into their offering, while eliminating the need for an extra tablet to send an order to the printer.

Instead, the ordering service can communicate directly with the printer for both table ordering as well as taking online, takeaway or collection ordersfrom the website, albeit remotely or from a touchless kiosk. Additionally, the mC-Print series benefits from Star SteadyLAN™ which is a unique POS connectivity solution that provides the stability of a cabled LAN connection for POS systems to ensure continuous network access. Offering reliable connectivity it is ideal for locations where WiFi connectivity is not possible or unreliable, by providing direct cabled control of the printer and attached peripherals as well as Ethernet provision to the tablet from the wired Ethernet port of the printer.

This is possible via the Apple Lightning cable in the case of iOS devices or USB-C cable for Android, Windows, Linux and Mac devices. As a result, the printer can act as the hub to a totally wired POS solution, powering the printer and tablet plus additional peripherals such as a barcode reader and customer display from a single plug / mains socket.

With the unique functionality of up to 5 hardware and software interfaces for both traditional and tablet POS, the mC-Print series not only future-proofs your business but also responds to the needs of a multichannel environment.

Mobile apps

A number of further innovative software companies such as Flooid offer mobile apps. Its Hospitality Solution’s thick client mobile app mirrors all fixed Point-of-Sale capabilities, such as enjoying real-time spot checks and one-click suggested procurements, taking orders and payments at the table, making inventory counts and ordering simpler, and collectively, minimising wastage and enhancing accuracy. Another is Tabology whose smart app allows customers to order food and drinks at the table instead of queuing up at the bar to order and pay. The order is sent directly to the bar or kitchen printer for preparation improving order speed and accuracy, encouraging customers to order more frequently and stay longer. Offering tablet software to view online menus as well as enabling real-time table management, contactless payments and wireless receipt printing such as Accent POS’s Cloud based POS software have been shown to increase average receipt value and enhance service. AccentPOS’ existing functionality enables improved communication between staff and reduces cross-contamination through built-in process flows including, but not limited to, integrated payment. This limits the need for waiting staff having to manually enter the monetary amount into the payment terminal. With online ordering and payment, venues can also leverage features such as digital coupons and loyalty benefits. Thanks to this, customers are encouraged to return with offers and discounts based on individual consumption habits.

Furthermore, many venues are beginning or continuing to offer takeaway and delivery options alongside dine-in. Hospitality software providers such as iZettle have quickly moved to support the industry by suspending subscriptions for their iZettle Pro software and reducing online payment transaction fees, as well as releasing a new web platform Forever Local to help independent businesses connect with their local communities. It is likely these options will remain popular for the foreseeable future. With continued innovation, relevant technology and apps to facilitate change, things may not be as bleak as originally imagined for the hospitality sector.