Star Micronics provides insight into the pivotal role of POS hardware technology
With the hospitality industry facing challenges on a number of fronts, the right technology choices can provide opportunities for enhanced customer service and loyalty, whilst delivering solutions to specific challenges such as rising operational costs and staff shortages. Coupled with this, a growing consumer appetite for multi-channel ordering and delivery options within hospitality is driving demand for advanced POS, bar and kitchen order printing solutions that boast innovative, feature-rich technology.
International POS hardware solutions provider Star Micronics discusses the pivotal role front and back of house hospitality technology plays in overcoming the challenges venues currently face.
Superior Connectivity for a Seamless Ordering Experience
In order to ensure a seamless customer ordering experience, a range of connectivity options can facilitate the printing of remote orders as well as local print jobs via wired or wireless connectivity for both mobile and fixed POS. Moreover, a single printer that offers such a solution provides a cost-effective, futureproof option as well as the flexibility to manage multiple networking infrastructure upgrades and the seamless transition from traditional POS to tablet and cloud POS.
Technology such as Star CloudPRNT™ offers the ideal solution for venues keen to integrate online, table and mobile ordering. For example, Star’s mC-Print™ series and TSP143IV series with built-in CloudPRNT technology enable order printing directly from web and Cloud based apps and, at the same time, can handle local print jobs from the point of sale. With customer orders sent directly to the printer, Star CloudPRNT increases order accuracy and eliminates the need for an additional tablet in the restaurant or bar. Moreover, table ordering can reduce long queues at the bar, while printers can fire out tickets for different stations within the venue, avoiding bottlenecks during peak times.
Clearly, technology has to be flexible and scalable as well as operate efficiently to avoid unwanted downtime in a busy environment. A managed cloud service such as StarPrinter.Online allows the relevant hardware to be connected to the online ordering system within minutes and receive orders from any location as well as from customers using any kind of device.
Providing enhanced online visibility of connectivity and print jobs, the service also offers device management via an online dashboard to equip venues with an overview of all devices and activity including reliable tracking of print jobs with notification of device status changes, barcode scans, new device connections to a group, etc. Additional printers and peripherals can simply be added without the need for server upgrades, further enhancing the versatility of the service and operational efficiency.
Solutions for Self-Service Terminals
With greater customer demand for self-service terminals to facilitate food and beverage orders and the added opportunity for venues to redeploy staff who would otherwise be taking orders, a reliable printer that is equipped with the specialist features and connectivity for integration into unattended self-ordering terminals is pivotal.
Easy to install and maintain, the packaged Star mC-Print3 with its front operation and wide range of connectivity options alongside large paper roll and paper near end sensor to give ample warning of paper changes is the printer of choice for some of the largest hospitality chains and independent venues that have introduced self-ordering into their channel.
Advanced Labelling Solutions
With the rise in multichannel ordering across hospitality in recent years accompanied by increasing demand for customer collection, third party delivery and legislation around accurate ingredients and allergy identification for pre-packed food, the requirement for efficient labelling solutions has surged. Amongst the range of labelling solutions currently available, linerless labels stand out for their eco-friendly properties and operational efficiencies as there is no backing paper to discard.
The ability to print different sized and types of labels from one easy-to-use device including variable length food and allergy labels, nutrition information as well as food delivery labels and bag seals from web-based apps or local devices is a cost-effective option. The Star mC-Label3 printer offers the ideal solution thanks to its ability to print on a wide range of liner-free media including low adhesive ‘re-stick’ labels as well as high adhesive permanent and semi-permanent labels. It is also designed for traditional liner pre-sized labels and continuous label rolls and receipt paper.
As popularity grows for sustainable packaging and reusable cups, accurate customer order identification becomes even more critical. Star’s mC-Label3 and TSP143IVSK printers have been designed to print repositionable and easily removable labels within hospitality to accurately print on a wide range of packaging materials for customer collection as well as delivery.
All-in-One Integrated Hospitality Hardware
Developing a hardware solution in the knowledge all products and peripherals are successfully integrated and provided by a single manufacturer offers greater reassurance the system will operate more efficiently and reliably. Star is continually expanding its portfolio of POS peripherals to include a range of cash drawers, tablet stands as well as desktop and handheld USB and Bluetooth barcode scanners that integrate seamlessly with its POS and label printers.
Creating a secure POS system
With security a key concern for many in the hospitality industry, POS peripherals that provide in-built security clearly offer a range of benefits. For example, Star cash drawers can provide 10 different lockset options for additional security, while an optional secure dual-drawer cable offers enhanced security and allows two cash drawers to be controlled by one printer. An under-counter mounting bracket enables valuable countertop space to be maximised and ensures the cash drawer is securely placed out of sight.
Furthermore, technology such as Star’s unique cash drawer connection sensing feature allows the printer to distinguish an open drawer or one which is completely disconnected, enhancing security. The information can be reported directly to a locally controlling application or via the cloud.
In the case of tablet stands, a durable steel enclosure with locking arms can prevent theft, while wall mounted options provide an ideal solution for hospitality applications where multiple tablets and devices need to be easily accessible but fully secured and clear of workspaces.
Meeting branding and personalisation expectations
A cost-effective means of enhancing branding is to take advantage of the receipt or delivery label to include a personalised message, QR code or an offer to encourage repeat business. Not only does this help counter growing competition, but such an approach can also help venues respond to seasonal fluctuations etc.
Coupons can promote repeat custom by encouraging footfall on quiet evenings or advertising upcoming events for example, whilst logos and high-quality graphics can clearly enhance the overall appearance of receipts. For labels, Star’s Cloud-based free labelling app available on mC-Label3 offers a range of pre-designed label templates as well as a one touch label function that allows for the storing and printing of up to three label designs.
Maintaining sustainability
With sustainability high on the agenda, there are a range of sustainable solutions that are both eco-friendly and cost effective while maintaining order accuracy. For example, the flexibility to select a 2mm top margin on receipts along with a reduced font size and thin paper capability can provide significant paper and cost savings.
In terms of media, for all linerless media a key benefit is the reduction in waste thanks to no backing paper to discard. And, for receipt paper, Star partners with paper manufacturers offering environmentally friendly media solutions that are both sustainable and recyclable.
For more information, visit: www.Star-EMEA.com
