Nine High-Tech Trends Reshaping Restaurant Kitchens

Summary

     Lisa Terry, Contributing Editor for Hospitality Technology discusses nine areas where technology trends are changing how restaurant kitchens operate.  Integration of data to and from the kitchen display system and other applications is something Radiant Systems is working on with the eventual hope of being able to condense all data from inventory tracking to a customer’s history to provide better service.  This would then provide increased visibility for accurate and real-time reports of every level of operation in the restaurant.  Innovations in KDS will allow for a better view of what prep time is needed as well as for the bar.  As for web connectivity, “In tomorrow’s kitchen lots of info will come from corporate systems or the cloud, from cook time updates to Web orders to HD prep videos”.(Terry, 2011)  KDS to deal with the need, and potential requirement, to provide nutritional and allergy information of food served at restaurants is something Digital Dining has started testing.  Customers both for seated service and take-out need to have this information available to them and this one day may be via guest devices of a sort.  Increasing the communication with the front of the house will be through technological devices rather than human contact.  Table devices, texting, and integrated application will all be used for this.  Technology needs to converge with the food equipment so that if something is not at the correct temperature there are others aware of it via integrated systems.  For sustainability, the trends head toward no more paper use and vigilant energy savings.  The last high-tech trend Lisa Terry discusses is the inventory part of running a restaurant.  If we have the information on each dish’s ingredients and what dishes were produced there should be an accurate inventory of each item and ordering will then be accurate.

Reflection

     The high-tech changes and enhancements being made for the restaurant kitchens are so exciting.  The biggest factor is the integration of information for all of the various facets of a restaurant.  From a customer’s point of view, integration of applications and increased visibility would help to rectify any past unpleasant experiences and increase the likely-hood that things will go smoother and more accurately this time.  Customers will also be able to access nutrition and allergy information which can help people to make better choices and also avoid any potentially harmful dishes.  It will probably be required in the near future, and people should be aware of exactly what they are consuming, including mixed drinks.  I am impressed with the advances that will allow restaurants to track the ingredients used in a dish, time to prepare the dish, and temperature each station is at.  To me this means more consistency, accuracy, and safer food products.  By the time I have my own establishment I can track and manage my inventory, prep time, and employees as efficiently as possible.  With the integration and web connectivity of the systems, reports will be up-to-date and as accurate as possible.  This means less waste so more profit over-all.

    Terry, Lisa. (2011, April 8). Nine High-Tech Trends Reshaping Restaurant Kitchens.  Retrieved April 8, 2011, from Hospitality Technology http://hospitalitytechnology.edgl.com/top-stories/Nine-High-Tech-Trends-Reshaping-Restaurant-Kitchens72036

Are Smartphones Winning the Hotel Check-In Debate?

Summary

     Gustaaf Schrils, Vice President for Global Technology, Americas, IHG discussed the way the hospitality industry is using technology to improve the process customers must follow to check-in and check-out of hotels.  The current debate is between using kiosks or Smartphones.  Schrils briefly explains the various issues with kiosks like cost, constant need for upgrades, and they have limited flexibility to make changes to a guest’s reservation.  With the main focus on the customer’s satisfaction and needs it seems that should be an app for that.  Schrills explains how InterContinental Hotels Group has now implemented a mobile-based front desk bypass solution that will give guests’ options for check-in.  Guests’ of course can still go to the front desk and check in to receive a standard room key or they can use their cell phone to open the door.  This technology works by the hotel sending the guest a text message containing their room number and a phone number to call when they get to the room door.  When they call the number, and their cell phone number validates, a tone will play that when held to the door lock will unlock the door.  The future holds the possibilities that “someday the check-in process can be streamlined by an app that interfaces with a scanner and verifies the guest’s identity, allowing them check-in with an eWallet before they arrive at the hotel”(Schrils, 2011).

Reflection

     The current advances that are being utilized in the hotel industry is just a start.  Being able to go directly to a hotel room without having to see a kiosk or front desk representative is a great advance for speed and convenience on the guest-end.  Customers need applications that are easy and require little or no training to successfully use.  There will always be need for the front desk as some people do like the personal face-to-face time.  As for the use of Smartphones to expedite the check-in and check-out process, I find the possibilities endless.  There is nothing worse than having to catch a plane and being held up in the check-out process at your hotel’s front desk.  How much easier would it go if you had the option of checking-out from your Smartphone on the way out of the room and to the airport?  Or the time saver of  being able to make and confirm a reservation on the way to the hotel as well as check-in as you open your room door when you are tired from traveling or running late.  Hopefully in the future we can use our Smartphones to handle the entire check-in and check-out processes while verifying a guest’s identity and providing security from identity theft. 

    Schrils, Gustaaf. (2011, March 15). Are Smartphones Winning the Hotel Check-In Debate.  Retrieved from Hospitality Technology http://hospitalitytechnology.edgl.com/top-stories/Are-Smartphones-Winning-the-Hotel-Check-In-Debate-71375