How to select the right management software system?
Selecting new food service management software is a complex and difficult task: the chosen technology will affect every facet of the business for years to come.
Here are 7 points to consider when selecting a new restaurant management software system. (Source: bighospitality March 2020).
- Self-serve options
- Ingredient tracking
- Seamless payments
- Centralised overview
- Role-based interfaces
- Analytics tools
- Support for present and future needs
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Self-serve options
When dining out consumers appreciate being able to order, customise and pay for their food at their own pace. Self-ordering kiosks were recently voted by foodservice operators as the top emerging technology for improving the customer experience.
2. Ingredient tracking
As special diets often focus on “free-from” dishes multiply restaurants need to implement technology that enables them to clearly track every ingredient they put into their dishes, as well as which allergens the dish may contain and communicate these to consumers.
3. Seamless payments
Being able to provide secure, convenient methods of payment is crucial to the smooth operation of the business.
4. Centralised overview
Any restaurant with ambitions of growth needs to have an IT infrastructure that supports expansion and enables them to open new locations quickly while remaining in control.
5. Role-based interfaces
A restaurant’s management system has many users, from cashiers to managers – and they all need different tools and information. Waitstaff needs seating, menu, order status and payment information. Managers should be able to access all the sales and operations data they need to plan the staff roster, organise promotions and make timely business decisions.
6.Analytical tools
Foodservice businesses collect and store large amounts of data: customer habits, top-selling items, expenses, ingredient usage, waste, labour, purchases and more. All this information gives businesses an unparalleled opportunity to optimise decision-making, reduce cost and waste, and spot opportunities.
7. Support for present and future needs
Not all technology providers are born equal. Good support, long-term expertise, a proven track record and specialists that speak the industry language are a few of the boxes that the ideal solution provider should tick.
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