Cloud Technology in Restaurants Is Here to Stay and for the Good

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Is it going to rain? Because it’s getting CLOUDY, lately.

But jokes apart, CLOUD is the talk of the town at present.

The entire world is going all gaga over cloud technology. And the restaurant industry is no exception.

In this blog, we aren’t going to discuss the small potatoes but explore every significant aspect of restaurant cloud technology.

How Restaurants and Technology Are Faring?

The right lighting, great menu, attentive staff, and talented chefs who create the perfect bite —are some of the elements that make up a great restaurant.

But there’s more that goes behind the scenes to provide a seamless experience to restaurant customers.

We are talking about technology.

There’s nothing like “heaven only knows” when it comes to the role of technology in transforming the restaurant industry.

According to a report:

• Over 80% of restaurants are turning to technology – like online ordering, reservation, inventory management apps, and restaurant analytics.
• Around 68% of customers agree that the use of server tablets improves the restaurant experience. 

That’s not all.

Integrating a restaurant POS and reservations management system can boost online reviews and increase customer retention, increasing their spending by 67% more on average.

That was about the numbers.

Now, let me share something that I have witnessed first-hand.

I come from the city of Guwahati in Assam, India. Unlike every other metro city in the country, Guwahati was a little behind in terms of restaurants, pubs, breweries, etc. The practices to run these businesses were also outdated.

But not anymore.

Today, 8/10 restaurants in my city use QR code menus, a restaurant management system, cashless payment, and whatnot.

Technology has undoubtedly made a tremendous impact on the entire restaurant industry and it can be seen all around the world.

However, this wasn’t the last deal, cloud technology is the current talk of the town and restaurants aren’t shy to keep away from it.

The Emergence of Cloud Tech in the Restaurant Industry

Understandably, restaurant operators don’t go into this business to be technologists. They just want to serve the best food, make people come back again and again, and make a good profit in the process.

But the industry is extremely dynamic; everything keeps on changing.

Cloud-based restaurant technology is the current trend among restaurant businesses.

Cloud computing for restaurants is not something new, it’s been around for a while now. It is that the adoption of cloud-based systems has increased dramatically in recent years.

This sought-after technology gained traction because it enables restaurant operators to ditch the need for a rack of computers wired up somewhere in a corner to capture data.

Additionally, the new-age cloud-based systems now come with features that make it fundamentally easier for restaurants to analyze sales transactions, manage costs, and make data-driven decisions.

How Cloud Technology Helps a Restaurant Scale?

There are multiple avenues where cloud technology in the restaurant industry plays a pivotal role. Let’s take a deeper dive and understand some of them.

1. Streamline and automate operations

Running a restaurant is no joke. There’s an incredible amount of hustle-bustle that occurs. And that’s exactly what a cloud technology (cloud-based restaurant management system, to be precise) helps in streamlining.

But how? Let me explain with an example.

(My love for examples is beyond imagination)

What happens when you go to a restaurant with conventional practices? The waiter comes, takes your order, writes it down, and gives it to the kitchen staff. Correct?

Once you’re done feasting on that mutton rogan josh and garlic butter naan, and ask for the bill, the billing Clerk manually calculates everything, looking at the menu or maybe their in-house system. 

Well, done are those days.

Now, this is what happens with restaurant cloud technology — the waiter comes with a digital touchscreen device, takes your order, and leaves. The order details get generated directly in the kitchen using a KOT printer and the bill is generated automatically at the billing clerk’s desk.

Meaning, super-fast service, and exceptional customer experience, leaving no place for errors.

2. Mitigate hefty tech investments

The conventional methods of incorporating technological elements are usually expensive. It includes a software license, hardware, implementation, training, support, and whatnot.

But cloud computing has changed the scenario.

For example, back in the day if you would need to have a restaurant management system then you would have to set up your own data center, which is expensive. But the up-front cost of a cloud-based restaurant management system is also lower, all you need is a computer and a stable internet connection.

Furthermore, cloud-based solutions also eliminate labor and maintenance costs. Meaning, you don’t have to think about setting up an IT department; rather, operate with a reduced staff size, saving money.

3. Integrate other systems using API

When you opt for a cloud-based restaurant management system, you open doors for other technological elements to work in sync with the help of an API.

An application programming interface (API) is a software intermediary that lets two applications connect for a specified task. You can also say that it is a middleman that helps two applications communicate and function in sync.

For example, you are using a restaurant management system, but now you want your system to be in sync with the KOT printer you have in your kitchen. With an API, you can do that without any hassle. Now, every time you transfer an order to the kitchen it gets updated in your system automatically.

4. Enhances data security

A restaurant business welcomes hundreds of customers daily. And the security of their data is your utmost priority.

When you have a conventional system, keeping that data safe is a tedious task. The risk of getting compromised is much higher than you can imagine.

However, a cloud-based solution on the other hand offers you top-level data security. Since the cloud isn’t stored at physical servers at your restaurant, your data is less susceptible to natural disasters, thefts, etc. The information you gather is stored in secured data centers and is most of the time safe from cyber-attacks.

Additionally, there’s another aspect of data security that needs to be discussed.

Who bears the responsibility for data security? With on-premises data centers and infrastructure, the responsibility falls to your business. But when you’re working with a cloud solution, most of the time, the responsibility falls on the service provider’s end.

Meaning, data security in cloud computing minimizes your risks and protects not only your data but also your brand reputation.

5. Provides remote access

Ronnie is a travel blogger and the owner of a restaurant in Sydney. This is a weird combination, isn’t it?

How can someone keep traveling and run a restaurant at the same time?

Well, Ronnie is smart. He uses a cloud restaurant management system which allows him to keep a track of what’s happening in his businesses while he’s bungee jumping in the Southern Alps on New Zealand’s South Island.

From looking at the daily sales, checking task assignments and management, to pulling out the most crucial reports, Ronnie can do anything and everything from the convenience of his smartphone.

Isn’t this amazing?

Restaurant cloud technology is the next big thing in the industry and with time the transformations are just getting better and better.

6. Offers contactless services

Contactless services at restaurants aren’t nice to have anymore. It has become the need of the hour. People these days don’t want to call the waiter, ask for the menu, check it out and then order.

They want this entire process to be as simple as possible.

For example, customers/guests might want to take their table, scan the QR code to check the menu, and order right from that platform. Once they get the food and finish dining, they might want to make payment through their phone and leave.

Contactless services are changing the way restaurants operate and enhancing experiences. Businesses that aren’t still leveraging the power of this sought-after solution aren’t going to go a long way.

So, if you have been thinking about incorporating these services and solutions, it’s high time you turn to cloud-based management systems that offer just that.

7. Offers inventory management

For a restaurant to mitigate loss and operate at a higher potential, it is imperative to track the amount of product ordered, everything that comes out of the kitchen, and what is left over.

Not to mention, inventory management also allows a restaurateur to identify gaps between the production value and sales.

However, doing it manually is cumbersome.

This is where cloud-based restaurant technology comes into the picture. A cloud-based management system allows you to automatically track every item and notifies you — be it about wastage or shortage. It eliminates human errors and enhances your restaurant’s operations to a greater level.

8. Deliver business insights

Insights are important for any business. With better insights, you can make better decisions for your restaurant business.

But who is going to create those reports? Also, considering the number and types of reports, is it possible for a human to do it efficiently?

No!

That is why a solution that automates this process is considered to be a rescuer.

Cloud solutions for restaurants are great at offering in-depth insights to restaurateurs. It can produce reports of various types and for various aspects, empowering you with data that can change your restaurant business for the good.

FAQs

Do let me know in the comments if I missed out on something or if you have a different thought about it.