Restaurant And Hospitality IT News For VARs — March 10, 2014
By Anna Rose Welch, Editorial & Community Director, Advancing RNA
An article in Nation’s Restaurant News points out when placing POS systems in restaurants it’s just as important to consider durability in these demanding environments as it is to consider functionality. Also in the news, a study shows mobile wallet adoption is slow, but growing, and hotel CEOs share how technology is used — and will be used — in their industry.
2 False Assumptions About Restaurant POS Systems
Nation’s Restaurant News features an article on the most important considerations your clients should be keeping in mind as they search and purchase POS terminals. Many companies are likely to look at price first because of two underlying — and false — assumptions. One of these assumptions is that all terminals are basically the same because they possess a CPU, similar operating systems, and hard drives. The other assumption is that warranties will cover any issues that arise during the POS’ lifespan. Overall, your clients are seeking a terminal that can effectively control and dissipate heat in order for the system to provide long-lasting service. HALT (highly accelerated life test) and HASS (highly accelerated stress screen) testing are also important in order to determine whether or not a POS will hold up under the variables of the busy restaurant environment.
Advice For Success In “Crowded Mobile Wallet Landscape”
A new report from the Yankee Group shows that widespread mobile wallet adoption is still a few years away, despite the amount of consumer interest in the technology. According to the research, only 16 percent of mobile device owners have used their phones to make an in-store payment in the past three months. Of those using a mobile wallet, 73 percent are doing so fewer than five times per month. However, the report also shows that it will eventually be a “latent opportunity” and highlights some of the best practices vendors should follow to succeed in the crowded mobile wallet landscape. To encourage near-term adoption, Yankee Group urges third-party vendors to prioritize integration with SMBs’ POS systems.
CEOs Address Technology’s Role In Hotel Industry
USA Today has compiled a Q&A with five hotel CEOs about the industry’s latest challenges and developments. As more guests voice their desire for free Wi-Fi, several CEOs believe that the days of charging customers to use the Internet are coming to an end. Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants CEO also says that the smartphone is only going to continue growing in importance, especially as millennial travel rates increase. The interview also discusses the role of loyalty programs in the industry.
Restaurant And Hospitality IT Talking Points
According to the NPD Group, the U.S. restaurant count has reached a total of 633,043 units. This was an increase of 0.7 percent over last year’s total. The fast casual segment category saw the most growth, increasing by 6 percent, though chains and QSR restaurants also encountered small rates of growth.
Eric Hoffman for QSR Web argues that integrating mPOS capabilities into a QSR’s business model can help a QSR reduce waiting time and increase market share.
For more news and insights, visit BSMinfo’s Hospitalty Tech Center.