In partnership with WELCOME


Welcome to The Caterer’s comprehensive guide to the technology that will keep you one step ahead for the coming year. The Technology Prospectus 2018, produced in association with Hospa, is designed to guide you through the most contemporary solutions that will stand the test of time, and make a significant productivity and profitability difference to your business. This guide explores how it’s possible to future-proof digital systems and processes


through insight, opinions, case studies and supplier showcases. Technology now touches every aspect of the hospitality experience, but that


can present some challenges, particularly when it comes to dealing with the wealth of information now available. In the following pages we unpick big data and explore how better analysis of your information can uncover better guests (those prepared to pay what you want to charge, and want to come back) and ensure you don’t overpay to attract them. We also examine the latest point of sale systems and the mobile ordering and


payment solutions that are fast becoming an integral part of their specification, and take a look at how its possible to streamline purchasing to make sure that food inflation doesn’t bite too sharply in the coming months. All the elements of an enterprise are covered, from customer acquisition right


through to property management systems and payment. Consider this your comprehensive guide to technology for the year ahead.


James Stagg, deputy editor, The Caterer


In the hospitality industry, technology has become more and more important and the role of an IT manager carries significantly more responsibility as each year passes. It was not so long ago that the biggest problem in hospitality IT was ensuring that


the property management system remained stable and that telephone charges were posting onto guest folios. Now, with PCI compliance, data protection regulations and the ever-growing cyber threat, the concerns of the IT manager are much more far-reaching. This is where HOSPA can help. Throughout the year, we run members’ events to educate and debate current issues. Problems are discussed and often resolved there and then. These events also provide the perfect forums for networking and discussing shared challenges and potential solutions with colleagues from other hospitality businesses and organisations. The chances are that a new concern for one HOSPA member has already been faced and addressed by another. Our membership extends to professional advisors – such as accountants, lawyers and bankers – so there is normally an expert on hand, holding the key to unlock the answer to industry IT queries. Once a year, we bring all our members together for our annual conference –


HOSPACE – which gives us the opportunity to debate and discuss the topical issues of the day on a broader level. This enables our membership – comprising hospitality finance, revenue management, marketing and IT professionals – to gain a holistic view of the industry. When the British Association of Hospitality Accountants was rebranded as HOSPA


in 2011, the association’s remit was broadened from being purely for hospitality accountants. It now also embraces all hospitality professionals. We continue adding key relevant areas of expertise to our membership. For example, we now welcome marketers through our relationship with the Hotel Marketing Association. This is vitally important, given the close relationship between marketing and revenue management. HOSPA also works closely with other industry-related associations and organisations


to ensure we cover topics relevant to all senior hospitality professionals – such as human resources professionals and asset managers. To learn more about HOSPA and becoming a member, please don’t hesitate to


contact me at Jane.Pendlebury@hospa.org. Also visit our website at www.hospa.org. I look forward very much to talking to you.


Jane Pendlebury, chief executive, HOSPA 42 CONTENTS


4 Treasure seekers Number crunching for the hospitality operator


10 A helping hand with revenue management How to devise a strategy to manage your data


16 Pocket pals Cut out the paper loyalty card with mobile payment


22 Comfort in the cloud A blue-sky solution to keeping your data safe


28 Sweet spots Reveal your customer buying habits with Epos


36 Take control Keep tabs on all parts of your business with PMS


42 Get your costs in gear From menu management to better buying


4


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Technology Prospectus editor James Stagg Art editor Chris Russell Senior sub-editor Kirsty Utting Digital production editor Katherine Alano Group sales manager Rob Adam Chief executive Duncan Horton


www.thecaterer.com Technology Prospectus 2018 | 3


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