You probably don’t think about restaurant IT support very often. You know it’s there when something goes wrong, like the time your point of sale system crashed and you couldn’t take any more orders or the time the internet went down right before the lunch rush. But what you probably don’t think about is how much IT support services help your restaurant run smoothly day to day. Rest assured that every major tech company, non-profit organization, and small business understands this importance of solid IT support. For example, Google has an entire team dedicated to ensuring their vendors have world-class IT support so they can continue providing excellent products and services. That’s why we are going to share some insider secrets on how to keep your restaurant running smoothly with great IT support.
Hiring a Professional Restaurant IT Company is Key
For most restaurants, IT support is a cost they write off as part of doing business. That’s a mistake. Many restaurants believe that investing in IT support is a waste of money, since they don’t use it every day. This could not be further from the truth. Think about how many people rely on your restaurant’s technology each day, and you will realize how important a solid IT company is to keeping your business running smoothly. Good IT companies can be hard to find. You want one that will show up on time, respond quickly, and have the expertise to solve your restaurant’s unique technology issues.
Invest in Quality Equipment
Restaurants are high-stress environments, and you will be dealing with a lot of dirt, dust, and humidity. These three factors can wreak havoc on your computer equipment. Computers, monitors, keyboards, and mice are the most common devices that will break down in a restaurant. Make sure you invest in high-quality equipment from the start. While you might be tempted to buy cheaper equipment, it will cost you in the long run. Computers that are designed for commercial use will cost more up front, but they are worth it. Your computers will last longer and be less likely to break down. Keep your equipment clean. That includes the inside of your computers and monitors, as well as keyboards and mice. You can buy special cleaners that will help keep your computer operating smoothly.
Be Proactive With Your Technology Choices
It is tempting to keep using the same old technology that has been in place at your restaurant for years. This is a bad idea, though, even if it is something you have done in the past. The technology industry is always changing, which means that the technology you purchase today will become outdated in the future. For example, smartphones are an important part of the technology landscape. You probably use smartphones for everything from taking orders to processing payments. It can be tempting to keep using the same smartphones you purchased three years ago. However, the smartphone industry is always changing. New models are released every six months. This is great for customers who want to buy smartphones at a cheaper price. However, it is not so great for restaurants that want to upgrade their technology regularly. If you have older smartphones, you will have trouble connecting them to the internet for technology that relies on strong cellular signals.
Want to see how secure your business data is?
Check to see if your business email is in a data breach below.
There are a few great ways to limit the damage of a compromise to you and your team.
- Use unique passwords and store them in a secure password manager like Lastpass.
- Setup automated alerts for your email domain about compromised data.
- Train your staff about how to securely work on the internet.
If you have any questions or need any help feel free to reach out here.
Powered by IT Rockstars |
Data source with thanks to Haveibeenpwned
Don’t Be Afraid to Change Vendors
Almost every restaurant has some technology in place that was purchased by the previous owner. It is tempting to keep using older technology, since it’s already in place and you know it works. However, this is a bad idea. It is inefficient and will likely lead to frustration. Technology that is not being used optimally is actually worse than no technology at all. A great example of this is cash registers. Many restaurants start out with an old cash register with outdated technology and then switch to a new cash register with the same old technology. It is better to purchase a new cash register with the latest technology. That way, you can take advantage of the latest technology, and it will be easier to upgrade the cash register in the future. This is true of any piece of technology in your restaurant. It is better to start fresh and invest in the latest technology than to try to patch together old and inefficient technology.
To learn about more about necessary services for restaurant IT support, click here.
Conclusion
Restaurant IT support is a crucial part of every restaurant that relies on technology. You probably don’t think about it very often, since most things go smoothly. However, there will be times when things go wrong, and you will be glad that you have a solid IT company to call when that happens. The best way to make sure that your technology is running smoothly is to hire a professional IT company. They will help you decide what equipment you need, purchase that equipment, install it, and maintain it. This will keep your restaurant running smoothly, and it will be easier for you to focus on the customers.
Right here is the perfect webpage for anybody who wants to understand this topic. You understand so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I really will need to haha). You definitely put a brand new spin on a topic that has been discussed for many years. Excellent stuff, just excellent!