Retail, Grocery, And Hospitality IT News For VARs —December 29, 2014
By Phillip Britt, contributing writer
This week, an article explores whether simplifying point of sale (POS) with an app has value for a restaurant. Also in the news, predictions for cybercrime in 2015 are ominous — and attacks on POS systems are expected to increase.
Sometimes Apps Don’t Help
TechCrunch discusses the many struggles when it comes to new restaurant technology: If someone tries to simplify POS with an app, the POS retailers won’t make any additional money. The key is customer service. Apps like GrubHub and Seamless for ordering food have worked hard for their client base and having a new app replace them quickly is literally impossible, according to TechCrunch. Time is another challenge. The time it takes to swipe a debit card cannot be beaten by the time it takes to pay with a mobile wallet.
Happy New Year From Cybercriminals
According to The Guardian, you can expect cybercriminals to be even more destructive in 2015. Mobile wallets are a potential target — hackers will be looking for weaknesses in the systems, as they do in other avenues. Apple phones might also become increasingly more likely to be targeted with malware if users disable certain features to use pirated products.
No Company — Big Or Small — Is Safe From Hackers
According to The Age, attacks on POS systems by hackers are expected to increase in the New Year. While larger companies have the resources to up their security, small to mid-sized businesses will not. This is where the hackers will focus. However, big businesses aren’t out of the woods. Hackers can also focus on companies that assist in the upkeep of POS terminals as a way to siphon sensitive data.
Hotel Technology Only Helps So Much
MainStreet weighs in on what’s in and out in hotel technology. While there are many drawbacks to being constantly connected to devices, there is something to be said for some of the benefits they bring to the hotel experience. One of these benefits is the elimination is a long line to check in. Guests can order food and drinks with the touch of a button. Common areas like lounges will offer Wi-Fi and USB ports and in room, guests will have the wireless capability to project their own entertainment on the TV. But some things are so out. For example, some St. Regis hotels are doing away with iPod docks and replacing them with actual clocks.
Retail, Grocery, And Hospitality IT Talking Points
The Times-Herald shares some ideas to make putting off next year’s holiday shopping a little less stressful. If avoiding crowds is your thing, an app called Curbside makes it possible for customers to make purchases online and pick them up outside of their local mall. Another app, Deliv, uses local drivers to deliver one’s purchases from the mall to their homes. Stores like Target strongly encourage customers to order online, pick up in store and be on their way.