Top POS Stories from December: Tableside Ordering & Data Top Headlines

1/13/2014
The point of sale is always a top priority for hotel and restaurant operators. The top headlines from December demonstrate the importance of knowledge in the POS space. Tech predictions, new partnerships and rollouts dominated the news feed. In case you missed them the first time, here are a few of the top stories involving the point of sale over the last month.
 
2014 Tech Predictions for Hospitality
Gamification, mobile and digital currency, and smart CRM tech are a few of the trends shaping hospitality technology in 2014. Revel Systems has announced top industry predictions that will shape the hospitality and retail technology industries in 2014. Revel Systems forecasts that retail in the coming year will be more streamlined and integrated with online experiences, to propel the industry forward. In 2014, Revel Systems predicts the following industry advancements will begin to take shape: POS Systems will integrate with personal data trackers; Mobile and digital currency will go mainstream in retail; CRM Technologies will become "smart" and predictive; Social Capital begins to influence personal pricing at brick and mortar; Order-Ahead features become the norm; and Gamification will be offered in POS systems.


Intelity Announces ICE Sapphire, New Partnerships Drove 2013 Success
The hospitality technology firm experienced one of its most financially successful years following the release of a new version of its ICE technology and several new global partnerships. Intelity is announcing one of its most successful years to date since it was founded in 2007. Four new global hotel brand engagements, new partners in Latin America, Africa and China and the introduction of the newest version of its trademark ICE platform – contributed to the company’s expansion and financial success throughout the year.



U.S. and Caribbean Resorts Switch To B4Checkin For PMS-Integrated Solutions
Four luxury resorts located in the western United States and the Caribbean have signed with B4Checkin to implement its flagship booking engine, as well as its online check-in and guest satisfaction tools. BlueWater Resort & Casino in Arizona, Manchebo Resort and Spa in Aruba, Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort and Spa  in New Mexico, and The Scottsdale Plaza Resort in Arizona each cited B4Checkin's exceptional value proposition and seamless PMS interface in opting to make the switch from their legacy booking engines.



Free App Upgrade Captures Data and Streamlines Ops
QSR Automations, Inc. has announced major enhancements to the most comprehensive iPad restaurant guest management app available. Adding to an extensive line-up of valuable features, DineTime™ Host now accepts reservations and provides multiple automated quoting methods.
 
Corner Bakery Cafe Launches Online Ordering
Corner Bakery Cafe has launched a nationwide online ordering system, allowing busy guests to enjoy freshly-made meals without having to wait in line. The new online ordering option is available now at Corner Bakery Cafe locations across the country.  
 
2014 POS Software Trends
Hospitality Technology's annual POS Software Trends Report polls restaurant operators about the major business drivers influencing point of sale technology, and asks them about the functionality they'll be shopping for in their next POS upgrade. Plus the POS software vendor community reveals their 2014 plans. This year's results overwhelmingly indicate that restaurant operators and suppliers alike are focusing on mobile POS strategies, and are looking to add everything from mobile payment to tablet-based ordering to their repertoires.
 


New POS Software Speeds Service and Simplifies Training
SpeedLine Solutions Inc. introduced new graphical table service controls in the latest release of the company’s pizza point of sale software. The new SpeedLine table service interface helps busy hostess staff keep up, and gives managers a bird’s-eye view of diner stats and server performance.
 
Hospitality Upselling Specialist Launches Corporate Dashboard Functionality
TSA Solutions has launched a major enhancement to its Front Desk Upselling solution. The addition of myDashboard, now a standard feature of TSA Solutions' flagship product, delivers at-a-glance key performance indicators of upsell performance across all hotels in a company's portfolio, including impact on RevPar performance.
 
Customized Mobile App Helps Restaurants See Increased Sales
OrderSnapp works to keep small business relevant in a world where technology can make or break your business. OrderSnapp offers restaurants a fully customized mobile ordering app for less than a tank of gas; signing over 150 restaurants in six months.
 
Hard Rock Hotels Selects All-in-One Solution that Offers Real-Time Access to Data
The point-of-sale module within the Indra Travel Management Suite for Hotels is proving to be so robust, streamlined and efficient that it has been selected by RCD Resorts for its All Inclusive Collection in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Running on the universal SAP platform, Indra's "TMS for POS" module has recently been rolled out at the Hard Rock Hotel Cancun, Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana and Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya. 



100,000 Applebee's Tables Outfitted with Tablets
Applebee’s has announced plans to enhance the guest experience through the installation of 100,000 E la Carte Presto tablets, powered by Intel, on every table and multiple bar positions at more than 1,800 Applebee’s restaurants in the United States by the end of next year. DineEquity, franchisor of Applebee’s and IHOP restaurants, announced the relationship with an aggressive schedule for 2014 installation throughout the Applebee’s system. The tablets, which enable guests to add to their orders, pay and play games from their seats, will also be considered for introduction at IHOP locations.


Restaurant Tech Bridges Gap between Customer Expectations and Habits
The U.S. restaurant industry’s use of technology continues to grow, even though not all restaurateurs agree on what technology to install or how customers will use that technology. Regardless of their view of customers’ attitudes, however, restaurant chains have been moving ahead with integrating information technology in their operations, according to a study by Michael White, business research manager for the National Restaurant Association, and Cornell Professor Rohit Verma. Based on that study, in this column, I’ll discuss both the restaurateurs’ view of technology and that of their customers. In some cases, it may be that the customers are moving faster than the industry.
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