Nine High-Tech Trends Reshaping Restaurant Kitchens By Lisa Terry, Contributing Editor

Summary:

Restaurants for decades have been prompt about not having technology invade the kitchen they like the handwritten orders, the comfort of everything they know in the kitchen. With technology on the rise in the Hospitality and Restaurant industry it is becoming much harder for the restaurants to ignore these trends.

Today there are places that you can go where you have made your reservation online, picked out your favorite table, be added to the loyalty file pulling up all your information from the last time that you went to the restaurant.  By doing this the waiter is now able to see that it is your birthday you are celebrating. She is also able to take your order from her handheld POS system and send it directly to the kitchen where they can see the order, watch a short clip to see how it is prepared. After the ingredients have been deducted from the shelf and inventory is automatically updated to the system.

These are the new trends that are taking place in the hospitality industry and restaurant industry today. The top trends include: Integration, visibility, KDS and prep for the bar, web connectivity, nutrition and allergy info, more communication with the front of the house, convergence with food equipment, sustainability and inventory.

Reflection:

This article describes the future of all restaurants to come. These new trends that are going to be adopted by some restaurants and forgotten by others are going to be the future of the industry.  I think that these new kitchen trends are certainly being used in areas all around the globe. I know that in St. Maarten U.S. Virgin Island has many restaurants that have already been using these new technology trends. The handheld devices that transport the order directly from the table to the kitchen are increasingly popular. I think this is one of the technologies that will be adopted more quickly then some of the rest. The idea offers faster service, correct orders, and ultimately equals a more satisfied customer.

I also believe that that these kitchen trends will have to be adopted by kitchens of all types surely. Customers will become more aware of the technology that will be offered throughout the industry and not stand for customer service that is not up to par like the more tech savvy restaurants.  Not only will adding these technology features will help correct many mistakes have with the communication with the front of the house and the back of the house they will also be providing more accurate service for the guest.

I think that it is important for the restaurants to stay current with times and the technology era we are in. 

http://hospitalitytechnology.edgl.com/top-stories/Nine-High-Tech-Trends-Reshaping-Restaurant-Kitchens72036

Drive Loyalty Revenue, Profits at the Point-of-Sale

Summary:

Taco Mac opened its doors in 1979 since it has opened they have realized that they are going to need a loyalty program service. In recent years loyalty programs have helped offer great branding recognition and customer retention. After opening they came up with the idea of the passport club. Which was a loyalty program following the success of that the managers knew they needed a card based program to keep track of all its members. They were using the Radiant POS system.

With the integration of Aloha Loyalty with Taco Mac’s existing Radiant POS system has helped the loyalty program achieve success. Three pieces of advice on the importance of leveraging the POS to drive loyalty revenue and profits include:  integrate the loyalty programs across multiple locations. Utilize your point of sales data to bring your loyalty program online. Let the POS system help you learn your customer.

One thing that is great about the integration of these systems is that Taco Mac also uses its database of member information collected on the POS to alert members of new beers and limited-time offers at specific locations. These campaigns have proven to drive increased traffic to Taco Mac restaurants.

Reflection:

I think the integration of these systems is an amazing and profitable way to boost sales revenue at any restaurant or bar. Looking to see what provides your customer with complete satisfaction is an outstanding way to target your market customer. By using this integrated system you can add a whole additional way to market for your bar or restaurant.

These loyalty programs have a way with people they feel valued and that they are being treated better than the rest of the people in your place. It is a way to build rapport or your business and repeat business and get more foot traffic in the door.

Not only that I think that since our world is in the technology era and everything we do is to focuses on whether we can check out a website before we visit a location or even print off drink coupons. Along with the mobile alerts you, that intrigue a customer to stop by tonight after work just because you may be offering a special on his favorite draft.

Aside from helping you know your customer this integrated system can also help you know what to order for your location what is popular and what is not. This system can be a great tool for your business to succeed to its full potential.            

http://hospitalitytechnology.edgl.com:80/top-stories/Drive-Loyalty-Revenue,-Profits-at-the-Point-of-Sale71971

Are Smartphones Winning the Hotel Check-In Debate?

By Gustaaf Schrils, Vice President, Global Technology, Americas, IHG

 Summary:

This article is about keeping up with the times in the technology era. Regardless of tradition or hospitality for that matter. There has been a great debate throughout the hospitality industry about how to speed up the check-in and checkout process.

There have been discussions made by IHG hotels about having an app or a kiosk. Like everything else there have been many mixed reviews on it. Some reviews found that the kiosk cannot handle everything like a front desk person could do. The second major argument was the devices are very expensive and the upgrades needed to keep up with the competition offer challenges.

 Apps are another larger competitor in the hospitality industry. As they continue to grow both in numbers and sophistication, consumers have instant access to information. Apps are important links to customer service and support to.

 IHG recently piloted a real world application of OpenWays at two hotels, the hospitality industry's first mobile-based front desk bypass solution, which they are calling mobile room key. The purpose of the pilot was to test the OpenWays technology and see if it effectively provides hotel guests with check-in options. Guests choose whether they want to go right to their hotel room upon arrival by using their cell phone to open the door or check-in at the front desk and get a standard room key.

Guests today come from a business and lifestyle that demands things be simple, with no training needed. It is up to each hotel brand to work efficiently and effectively to capture the future hotel guests.

Reflection:

I think that this concept is rapidly approaching many hotels. I have yet to see one of these apps or kiosks but I knot they are on the rise. We are living in a technology-obsessed world right now. I think the sooner these hotel brands realize that and apply these innovative features they will see there room occupancy rise. 

I especially think that this is going to become extremely popular for the business travelers. These experienced travelers travel all week long and they don’t necessarily want to be bothered with a front desk clerk if they have been flying all day and have to prepare for a meeting in the morning.

I know that I have even noticed with the airlines offering apps where travelers can just show them their Smartphone with their ticket information on it and they are able to scan it right on the spot.

I am actually surprised that we have not seen this specific technology pop up more throughout hotels. I am looking forward to seeing these technology features rise in the upcoming year. 

http://hospitalitytechnology.edgl.com/top-stories/Are-Smartphones-Winning-the-Hotel-Check-In-Debate-71375

2011 Technology Trends

2011 Guest Room Trends

Summary:  

This article is about the latest 2011 technology trends in the hospitality industry.  To find out the ever-changing technology trends in the hospitality industry Hospitality Technology asked a number of hotel executive. Some feedback they received was sustainability, in-room entertainment and mobility and of course the Ipad has been at the tip of every guests mouth.

Due to the recession sustainability has not been an easy accommodation that hotels can change to meet the needs of the guest. One thing that has been added to the rooms is the Energy Management Systems.

In room entertainment has been a major issue for many hotel brands. With Netflix covering 20 million people between Canada and the US. It makes it very hard for hotels to compete with this business that is coming right into the hotel room in the guests hands.  Some mention that over the top TV content maybe adding to the in room experience and they might make social networking available through your in room TV.

The major buzz for technology trends is Ipads in the rooms. The Plaza Hotel in New York City has had amazing results from adding this to each and everyone of their 282-room Hotel. The manager states they are running a more efficient and effective hotel with the help of the ipads. Where guests can request almost anything to their room through their handheld.

Reflection:

I absolutely love this article. Technology trends in the hospitality is very important that is one major aspect of your hotel that can separate you from your competition.  Technology is an ever-growing trend that will be around for many years to come. I think that they hotel that have a leg up on it will reap the benefits greatly.

Sustainability is a big trend that is coming about. The thing that is great about this trend is that it is not only helping the customer feel better about staying at your hotel but it also helps the environment and ultimately your bottom line. You will be spending less on the electric bill and moving those saving to marketing dollars.

I love the idea of the ipads in the rooms. Not only are you pleasing the guest by letting them have the opportunity to use them but they are also making dinner reservations at your hotel restaurant. They could even possibly order room service that they may not have done if they did not notice that fresh fish is offered tonight for a special rate.

The overall trends for 2011 sounds like the hotel executives are off to a great start with the trends. I am interested to see what is to come.

http://hospitalitytechnology.edgl.com/top-stories/2011-Guestroom-Tech-Trends70778

What's the Secret to Omni's 10-Year, Record-High RevPAR?

Summary:  As the online market continues to expand rapidly hoteliers are having to find new innovative ways to implement revenue management strategies. Omni hotels and resorts have been able to implement these new techniques and have seen the conclusive positive results.

Omni noticed a reduction in business travel and had to change their rates to keep competitive in 2010 they reduced discount rates, which improved their overall ADR dramatically.  Omni owes it all to the revolutionary revenue management system from The rainmaker group, which helped Omni to achieve a record high RevPar index. Omni found that other systems utilize a broader price-setting process to recommend the most competitive rates, but Rainmaker’s solution is more micro-focused.

Omni has installed this management system brand wide. Each of the Omni hotels is equip with a revenue management team that is familiar with the system. They work with it to make sure they are capturing as much rate as possible. Lesli Reynolds, VP of distribution systems and revenue strategy for Omni Hotels & Resorts, states that they are now able to make data based decision not gut based.  With this revenue management system in place they are able to maximize and capture RevPar everyday of the week.

Reflection: I think this revenue management system is incredible. I would recommend every hotel brand to look for systems like this to implement into their hotels. Having a group of skilled revenue management individuals with this system could make your hotel extremely profitable and there would be no money left on the table.

I like the idea that in the article Lesli Reynolds describes that the revenue management team is no longer making the gut based decisions. They have all the data and numbers from previous weekends and seasons, to base the RevPar on. It is no wonder they hit a record high. I think that the systems will become more and more popular and other brands may catch on but not quick enough. I think that this is a big trend that we should start top see in the near future.

I can’t believe that they are able to capture a large amount of RevPar everyday of the week even on Wednesdays.  I am really looking forward to seeing more companies like The rainmaker group come out and see what other types of information these systems will be able to gather to help increase the ADR for these hotels.

http://hospitalitytechnology.edgl.com/news/What-s-the-Secret-to-Omni-s-10-Year,-Record-High-RevPAR-70755

Ipads Replacing Restaurant Menu, Staff

By Bruce Horovitz, USA Today

Summary:

This article is about a new food chain: Stacked and how they will be implementing there 3 new restaurants in California all equip with Ipads for their 60 table tops. Using these ipads customers will be able to design and order their meal right on the spot. They will not only be able to design their meal from the ipad they will also be able to order from it too. 

The co-founder of stacked said that they came up with the idea of ordering from your table before the ipad came out. The ipad just confirmed their decision to do it.

There are a few restaurants that have started to use the ipads and have seen a positive outcome. 

In Bone’s restaurant in Atlanta they have used ipads for the selection of their wines and the co-owner Richard Lewis has seen a 20% increase in wine sales. 

In past surveys that made by the national restaurant association has found that younger people between the ages of 18-34 tend to go restaurants that favor high tech gear.

The owners went into detail how they would be mounted to the tables so that they were out of the way and not susceptible to theft.

Reflection:

I think that this is such a cool idea.  I think with the technology era that we are in it is important to incorporate technology in our day-to-day experiences when we are out. I definitely think that Stacked is ahead of the crowd for becoming a trendy restaurant. I also think that these ipads and the concept will become very big in a short period of time. There are many reasons why I think that having Ipads as your menu is cost effective and efficient. I think that it eliminates the cost of having to print a menu all together.  You will also be able to change the menu with the seasons and it will not cost a lot.  Having the ipad eliminates mistakes that might have been made with a waiter.  Not only are your guests able to order on these ipads they would be able to have gaming apps that they could play with there table so that waiting for their food does not seem as long as a wait and it is enjoyable. I am so excited to see what restaurants around Florida try a concept like this, but with the average age so old I don’t know how lucky we will be.

Hospitality Technology Trends Website

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2011-02-16-ipadcafe16_ST_N.htm

Marriot Says No To Adult Movies in New Hotels

Marriot Says No to Adult Movies in New Hotels

Summary:

One of the nation’s leading hotel groups, Marriot, has stated they will be removing access to in room adult movies in the next several years.  The decision that was made corresponds with the new in-room entertainment technology for their new hotels.

Marriot is replacing their old menu based selection videos, along with the adult content videos to an internet-based video-on-demand. Technology in the hospitality industry is rapidly changing the decision was based after years of many discussions. The two main topics that were discussed was whether the availability of profitable adult films in guest rooms is appropriate and whether safeguards exists to prevent children from seeing it.

Studies have shown in recent years that revenue from in-room pay-per-view movies has shrunk. The study also implied that the business traveler was chinking into the hotel with their own entertainment; netflix, ipad, laptop, or slingbox.

According to Colliers PKF Hospitality Research, “found that hotels collect 39% fewer pay-per-view movie rentals than they did a decade ago.”

In room movie rentals is becoming a declining source of income for hotels. Researchers think that by providing the family friendly image of the hotel will help create a positive image of the brand. Omni brand hotels have been adult film free since 1999 the ownership made a stance and stated, “That is not how we want to make our money.”

Reflection:

I really found this article intriguing. I thought that pay-per-view was a good source of additional revenue per room.  I know that with the rapid rate in technology becoming mobile, the in room technology is dying. I really recognized it after I read this article and the statistics from the Collier PKF Hospitality Research.

I think by implementing the new web based video on demand will be the new face of in-room entertainment. Even though we are able to bring these small devices to watch our own movies on I think that guest would spare a few bucks to watch it on a 32’ flat screen. 

The idea of going porn-free with Marriot is a great idea. I think that promoting a family friendly image would be quite more profitable. I also think it is another marketing approach that Marriot could take.  If you really think about it there are no hotels that market to their audience that they have in-room adult entertainment. I think you could really market the family friendly environment and play off that.

I think that Marriot is making a good decision to remove adult film in room pay-per-view. I think they could profit greatly just by remarketing the new on-demand video they will be providing.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2011-01-21-hotelporn21_ST_N.htm

Wow Bao Sets Path for Mobile Success

Wow Bao Sets Path for Mobile Success

         Summary:

Since Wow bao has introduced its mobile initiatives, at the 2010 National Restaurant Show, Wow bao have experienced positive responses form its mobile platform.  A market research firm Nielsen, “predicts that by 2014, 142.1 million consumers approximately 53.9 % of American mobile phone users will be accessing the Internet via mobile browsers.”  This is what called for the mobile platform initiative.

Wow Bao recognized this and thought it would be smart and proactive to add mobile engagement to their customer innovative technologies. They also have decided to go with online ordering and in-store kiosks.  They also partnered with Mocapay , “a mobile consumer engagement platform,” to enable its Asian fare restaurant.  What this platform provides is exclusive offers and secure-payment options for the menu items. The company that Wow Bao chose provided flexibility and scalability; it was also an inexpensive offer.

Wow Bao utilizes Mocapay to strengthen customer loyalty, engage customers; Mocapay has also enabled Wow Bao to directly issue comp cards in real time. This great mobile platform also creates, monitors and measures mobile marketing campaigns in real time. Which helps Wow Bao receive important feedback such as redemption rates and purchasing behavior, on top of finding their target customer.  They feel that adding this mobile platform has expanded their business and they are able to provide better customer support.

Reflection:

I think that this article was great because I learned about new technology that can be accessed right now to help current restaurants. The mobile platform is such an awesome idea. The numbers don’t lie; the rate that mobile phone users and Internet users from there phone is rapidly growing. I wish that more companies could read this article and get on it. I am in the tech savvy generation and I like the idea of ordering my food right from the app on my phone and even paying for it right there.

The only place that I have seen this particular platform was at Chipotle. I have the app I place my order what time I want to pick it up and my credit card info and I am ready to go. Besides the promotions and deals that the article was describing I think it gives leverage to those restrants that already have a mobile platform. I know for a fact I think about ordering Chipotle for take out 9 out of 10 over another restaurant just because the convenience. I don’t only think that it is convenient for the customer I also think it is convenient for the business to. You are avoiding major take out line when all the food is pre-ordered and pre-paid for. I think if more restaurants did this it could be extremely profitable to your company.

Alexander,Geoff, Managing Partner, Wow Bao. Wow Bao Sets Path for Mobile Success.Hospitality Technology. 1/18/2011. http://hospitalitytechnology.edgl.com/top-stories/Wow-Bao-Sets-Path-for-Mobile-Success66076