Sponsor: RF Technologies, Inc.
The use of technology in restaurants has evolved far beyond POS, drive-thru communications, and kitchen displays. IT professionals are now responsible for managing a variety of systems, including digital menu boards, drive-thru timers, and monitoring systems. Self-ordering tools like kiosks and mobile ordering apps have become essential during the pandemic. Going forward, artificial intelligence and geolocation notifications for mobile orders are likely to be the next focus in efforts to increase efficiency. Managing all these systems can be a daunting task. Having the right technology partner can provide a competitive advantage that helps restaurants stay focused on the customer.
IT professionals are not only responsible for maintaining hardware, but also for managing software upgrades, subscription services, and compatibility. System failures during peak periods can have a significant impact on operations. Today’s busy administrators don’t have time to diagnose and troubleshoot systems. To ease this burden, a full-service solutions provider can be your single point of contact. The right partner can provide a complete restaurant system solution, including proper installation and staff training, in addition to providing service and repairs. RF Technologies, based in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, is one such full-service partner, allowing staff to focus on serving quality food and operating efficiently.
Scalability and flexibility are key aspects when evaluating available solutions. Bob Noorian, CEO of RF Technologies, explains: “Technology needs change over time, so operators must predict the unpredictable. This means investing in flexible solutions that allow them to expand capacity while incorporating new capabilities and scalable systems that communicate with existing systems as well as next-generation systems as the market evolves. A full-service partner not only knows the technology available, but can help them shape the future, as they are doing with their Apex drive-thru headset system.”
Typically, restaurateurs think about solving one specific problem when upgrading or replacing restaurant technology. It’s better to think holistically about your restaurant and how a specific technology fits into your overall environment. Here again, the right partner adds value. An example is the data moving between systems, from the POS and menu boards to video analysis of transactions and subsequent reporting. This interoperability is essential to get a comprehensive view of your restaurant’s performance, which impacts customer experience and ultimately profitability. When data is siloed within different systems, a complete understanding is often not possible. A full-service technology partner knows how systems communicate and knows how to get the most value out of your investment.
Technology is now an essential element of quick-service restaurants, with IT professionals playing a key role in managing various systems. The right partner can ease the burden of maintaining systems and provide comprehensive solutions to keep restaurants running smoothly. Joseph Gierut, president of RFT, concludes, “Technology is evolving rapidly, so restaurants need a trusted partner that can sift through the tools available and recommend solutions that will bring the most value to restaurant operators while minimizing risk and expense.”
For more information, visit rfdrivethru.com/capabilities.
