Restaurant And Hospitality IT News For VARs — May 14, 2014
By Christine Kern, contributing writer
In the news, restaurant same-store sales grew for two consecutive months — the first time since November 2013. Article topics include the performance of content delivery networks (CDNs), the hotel industry’s growing interest in IT, and how location-aware technologies, like geo-fencing, can benefit your quick service restaurant (QSR) clients.
Restaurants See Same-Store Sales Growth For Two Consecutive Months
Nation’s Restaurant News reported that same-store sales growth for April was 0.6 percent — just below March’s 0.7 percent figure — marking the first time since November 2013 that there were at least two consecutive months of same-store sales growth in the industry. The article cites data from The Restaurant Industry Snapshot from Black Box Intelligence and People Report.
Effective Use of CDNs Speed Web Performance
This article from Hospitality Technology demonstrates that not all CDNs created equally, and success depends upon how well the system is monitored. The article states, “The world class, industry standard ones offer a global presence, intelligent routing, and consistent performance over time and geographies.” It also reminds solutions providers, in addition to monitoring your client’s site, you have to monitor the CDN.
Channel Execs See Higher Interest Among Hotels In IT
An article posted on SearchITChannel.TechTarget.com gives some insight into the technologies of interest to hotels These include wireless Internet access, telecommunications, and cloud-based back-office systems. The article states channel executives are cautious, but have seen a higher level of interest in IT.
Location-Aware Technologies Can Benefit Your QSR Clients
Restaurant News features an article by Noah Glass, founder and CEO of Olo, who points out the applications that location-aware technologies — including geo-fencing, near-field communication, and Bluetooth Smart — have in QSR restaurants. A restaurant’s mobile app can initiate an order when the customer arrives within a defined perimeter. And if the customer never arrives, the order is not prepared.
Restaurant and Hospitality IT Talking Points:
This interview from Hospitality Technology with Karen Bird, vice president of information technology for Buffalo Wild Wings, discusses some of the technical aspects of the project that integrates a tablet solution with its point of sale (POS), including its impact on in-store Wi-Fi. Bird also shares feedback on how BWW’s marketing and IT teams collaborated with each other and with suppliers on the project, and offers up her predictions for how mobile will continue to evolve in the restaurant industry.
According to Restaurant News.com, one Bloomin’ Brands executive explained that mobile has a measurable effect on consumer casual dining choices, stressing that continuity is key for brand strategy on mobile. Embracing online and mobile continuity is essential to forming a strong consumer brand perspective.
For more news and insights, visit BSMinfo’s Hospitality Tech Center.