You might think your restaurant IT support is a low-maintenance kind of deal. After all, it’s just a computer and some software, right? Wrong. Restaurant technology support is a high-maintenance kind of deal that can make or break your business. In the era of digital transformation, every business needs to focus on creating great customer experiences and streamlining internal processes as much as possible. That’s because customers are now accessing services on their mobile devices at an unprecedented rate.
A recent study by American Express found that millennials spent an average of 26 hours per week on their smartphones in 2016 – which is up from just 22 hours the year before. This means that if you own a restaurant and want to stay in business for the long haul, you need to make sure you have everything covered when it comes to your technology infrastructure, software solutions, security measures and back-end management systems.
What is Restaurant Tech Support?
When you’re thinking about ways to improve your restaurant’s technology there is a lot to think about. Everything from the devices that your staff uses, to the software solutions you’ve implemented, to the network infrastructure you’re using to the security measures you have in place, – you need to think about the big picture. That “big picture” includes everything from the device types and operating systems that you’re using to the card readers that help run your business. In short, it’s about the entire technological ecosystem that exists within your restaurant. Technology that isn’t properly implemented can lead to business owners falling behind the competition, frustrated customers, unhappy employees and wasted time and resources. With proper Restaurant IT support, you can ensure that you’re staying on top of your game.
Why Is It So Important?
If you’re not keeping up with the latest technologies and software solutions, you’ll be falling behind your competitors. Your customers will likely choose to do business with a restaurant that is up to date. This puts you at risk of losing those clients, which could have a devastating effect on your business. Oftentimes, you may have the resources to outsource your restaurant technology support to a third-party provider, which can help you stay current and on top of the game. However, you need to make sure you find a reputable provider. There are a few things you can do to help ensure you find the right provider for your business. By taking the following steps, you can ensure that you find a provider that can properly support you and your staff and help ensure that you have the resources you need to stay current without breaking the bank.
3 Steps to Finding (and Getting) the Right Restaurant Equipment Support
Before you even begin the process of finding a third-party provider, you need to make sure you know exactly what you’re looking for. Start by making a list of all the things your restaurant needs to be successful. This includes everything from the devices you need (including the OS and device type, etc.) to the software solutions you need. It may also include the type of connectivity you need to have in place, etc.
Once you’ve made your list, you can then start looking for providers that might be able to help you. You can start your search online. However, we recommend searching on sites like TrustRadius because they help you narrow down providers based on specific criteria, including: – The number of years a provider has been in business. – The number of clients a provider has worked with. – The average client satisfaction rating. – The specific functions a provider offers. – The cost of services offered by a provider. – The average response time for customer service tickets. – The types of clients a provider typically works with.
3. More Steps to Assessing Your Future Needs
Before you begin to search for providers and make a list of what you need, you need to think about the future. What does your technology ecosystem look like in five years? 10 years? 20 years? While it’s important to make sure you have the right solutions in place now, you also need to make sure you have room to grow. This includes things like having systems that will last and work for you business needs, security to protect your data and customer WI-fi, and accommodate growth. Once you’ve thought about the future, you can then begin to assess your current needs and see which providers offer the solutions you need.
If you’re not sure where to begin, our first recommendation would be to seek out vendors and providers in your area. If your in the Southern California area, Soaring Towers will be able to help, however, you can always start your search online. However, we recommend searching on sites like TrustRadius once again to help narrow down providers based on specific criteria, as mentioned earlier.
2. Steps to Assessing Your Current Situation
Every business has a unique situation. If you want to ensure that you find the Restaurant technology support that meets your specific needs, you need to first assess your current situation. This includes everything from the current state of your network, the number of devices you have, the software solutions you currently have in place, etc. If you’re not sure where to begin, start by making a list of all the things you currently have in place. Once you’ve made your list, think about each piece of equipment and software you have in place. What state is it in? What condition is it in? How long has it been in use? If you have any equipment or software that has not been upgraded in the last 5 years, it is due for an upgrade.
1. Planning your Restaurant Technology Support Future Needs
Once you’ve assessed your current situation, you can then begin to assess your future needs. This includes everything from the types of devices you’re likely to need in the future to the software solutions you’re likely to need in the next few years. If you’re not sure where to begin, start by making a list of all the things that might change in the next few years. Once you’ve made your list, see which items you can do without having to upgrade and which items you need to upgrade to keep up with the competition. By assessing your current situation and future needs, you can make sure you’re prepared to meet the needs of your restaurant as it grows.
Conclusion
Restaurant IT support is a crucial part of running any business, let alone a restaurant. If you don’t have the proper Restaurant IT support in place, you could end up losing customers, losing income and even lose your business. With proper Restaurant technology support, you can ensure that your business stays current and stays ahead of the competition. It’s important to make sure you have the resources you need to stay current without breaking the bank.
