Is it time for hospitality to upgrade their IT?

Hospitality is forever evolving, throughout the Covid-19 pandemic a multitude of adaptations have been made, and technology is no exception, but is your out of date IT hindering the success of your business? Find out more about the common issues businesses are facing and how they can be resolved…

What’s changed?

With new technology on the increase in restaurants, bars, clubs and other hospitality businesses, having reliable IT systems is essential. Now more than ever, adapting to the ‘new normal’ and providing options such as paperless alternatives, contactless payments and QR codes are a make or break for the hospitality sector.

In recent studies conducted by ‘A guide to restaurant guests during Covid-19’, 84% of people find that having up to date technology including ‘pay at table’, contactless payments available and guest WiFi is extremely important. More than you thought? You’re not alone!

Have you experienced…

Bad WiFi can lead to sound system dropouts in your nightclub or bar, guests not being able to load restaurant menus from QR codes, contactless payments not going through (Find out more about contactless payments rising here ).

Poorly managed and unmaintained IT systems can have your kitchen printers failing and your staff only realising 30 minutes later resulting in your staff running around trying to salvage orders, this is from hands on experience!

People showing up only to realise your online booking system has failed and you have no space to accommodate them! Do your customers have to leave the garden and come inside to pay their bill because the WiFi coverage is poor and it is not reaching your entire venue or outside seating areas?

Sound familiar?

How can this affect my business?

Good question, having bad IT systems can open a Pandora’s box of issues that could tarnish the success and reputation of your business.

Tills and printers breaking down could mean your customers are waiting double the time for their food. Not only does this leave you with unhappy customers, low team morale, but may find yourself having to offer refunds, and losing profit!

Having to ask your customers to come to the bar to make payments because your PDQ’s won’t reach certain areas, not having a strong guest wifi for your guests to be able to connect to and not being able to download menus can drive customers away from your business and towards your competitors.

How can I fix this?

Luckily, all these issues can be resolved! Here’s some simple changes that are easier than you think!

• Upgrading your domestic WiFi to a reliable, business grade internet connection
• Adding additional business grade wireless access points to ensure connection is reaching the entire venue
• Having your IT professionally supported by hospitality IT specialists
• Have your IT systems checked before re-opening
• Proactive IT support that monitors your connectivity 24/7 to prevent down time

Whether we like it or not the ‘new normal’ is here to stay. That means the hospitality sector becoming much more tech savvy and investing now in what we all hope is a very bright, Covid free future.