Dining in the Digital Age: How Contactless Technology is Transforming Restaurants
Introduction
A survey conducted by Mastercard, which spanned 19 countries, reported that 79% of respondents were using contactless payment, while 82% agreed it’s “the cleaner way to pay.” Touchless transactions are here to stay.
In our digital age, contactless technology is revolutionizing the restaurant industry, providing safe and seamless experiences for clients and staff. Through innovative technology, restaurants can enhance operational efficiency, increase safety, and deliver exceptional service. Contactless technology, such as digital menus and ordering and payment options via smartphones, is part of this transformation aimed at reducing physical contact and speeding up operations. This article will explore contactless technology, the best practices for implementing it, and its many benefits to restaurants and clients.
What is contactless technology?
“Contactless” or “touchless” refers to aspects of the dining experience that previously involved clients and staff touching shared surfaces or closely interacting. It eliminates the need for physical contact through technological solutions, or operational changes. This approach can transform various aspects of a restaurant, from digital ordering and payment initiation to reducing shared surfaces and objects. Contactless methods enhance employee and client safety while maintaining high service standards.
Three contactless technologies you need for your restaurant in 2024
Moving to a digital or display menu is crucial in today’s environment, where disinfecting shared menus between every client is essential. Instead of traditional methods, restaurants can adopt solutions like disposable paper menus that serve as placemats and are discarded after each use. Alternatively, digital menus allow clients to access the menu on their own devices by scanning a QR code. Tables can also feature digital or print signage displaying the menu, minimizing physical contact while navigating options.
Introducing digital ordering options into your operations
Introducing digital ordering options into your restaurant operations empowers clients to place orders conveniently from their own handheld devices. This eliminates the need for in-person contact, promoting social distancing and enhancing safety for both clients and staff.
Digital ordering also ensures a seamless dining experience, whether clients are dining in, ordering takeout, or opting for delivery. Using QR codes, they can access menus, place orders, and even make payments directly from their smartphones or mobile devices. This reduces physical interactions during the ordering and payment processes, increases table turnover, and allows staff to focus on delivering a safe and enjoyable dining experience.
Making contactless payments the norm
Simplifying contactless payments enhances safety and peace of mind for clients and staff. Contactless payment methods utilize mobile technology like NFC, enabling transactions without physical contact. Clients can effortlessly pay by waving their phone or NFC-enabled card near the payment device, eliminating the need to hand over cards. These transactions are not only quicker but also more secure than traditional methods.
Implementing contactless payments reassures clients by minimizing physical interactions with card readers and eliminating the handling of cards or cash by staff. This approach also prioritizes data security and privacy, enhancing the overall experience with added convenience and safety measures.
The benefits of contactless technology in restaurants
Enhanced Customer Experience
Convenience:
Customers can easily pay, order, and book using their smartphones or contactless cards, providing a seamless dining experience.
Speed:
Reduces wait times as payments and orders are processed quickly. This improves the customer experience, especially for clients who are rushed or don’t have the patients to wait for their order to be taken or their cheque to be brought. It also improves the overall efficiency of the restaurant’s staff.
Better Order Accuracy
One of the biggest advantages of contactless dining is that it reduces errors associated with orders. In traditional restaurants, mistakes can be made when taking customer orders or having a waiter or waitress write down the wrong item on a ticket.
With contactless kiosks and contactless QR code menus, these errors are virtually eliminated as customers enter their own order and payment information directly into a digital system. This ensures that all orders placed are accurate and eliminates any discrepancies in the ordering process.
How can a restaurant ERP system enhance the use of contactless technology in restaurants
ERP systems can enhance the use of contactless technology in restaurants by:
Improving operational efficiency:
Automating tasks:
ERP systems can automate tasks like ordering and payment, reducing the need for direct interaction between staff and customers.
Enhancing data tracking:
ERP systems can collect and analyze data from contactless systems, such as sales data and customer behavior, providing valuable insights to improve operations and decision-making.
Boosting security and safety:
Access control:
ERP systems can control access to contactless systems, such as payment terminals, preventing unauthorized use. Staff members are assigned with a specific level of authority when dealing with payments, which controls who has access to payments, and also allows visibility on all employees’ actions, therefore discouraging any unauthorized transactions.
Asset tracking:
A restaurant ERP system can track the movement of goods sold using contactless technology, helping to prevent misappropriation or loss.
Delivering better customer experiences:
Personalization:
ERP systems can collect customer information from contactless systems, such as order preferences and behavior, to deliver personalized customer experiences, taking into consideration past orders to customize offers and deals, for instance.
Convenience:
ERP systems can make it easier for customers to pay and order through contactless systems, providing a seamless and efficient experience.
How can Polaris ERP support contactless technology?
Polaris ERP supports contactless payment features, making it easier for restaurant managers to handle orders and payments, especially if the restaurant has multiple branches. With Polaris ERP, you can connect all your ordering and payment systems seamlessly, whether customers are ordering at the restaurant or online. The system integrates smoothly with major payment platforms, ensuring that everything works together without any hassle. This means you can manage payments more efficiently, reduce errors, and provide a better experience for your customers, all while keeping everything in one easy-to-use system.
Overall, ERP systems can play a crucial role in enhancing the use of contactless technology in restaurants by improving operational efficiency, boosting security and safety, and delivering better customer experiences. By integrating contactless technology with ERP systems, restaurants can achieve sustainable growth and improve their competitive edge in the digital age.
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