How Restaurant Cloud Technology Can Improve Your Operations
Cloud technology is everywhere these days, allowing private users to back up their data and big corporations to perform powerful data analytics. You might not realize how much restaurants utilize cloud technology, but that is changing fast. With delivery and take-out markets causing a boom in online food ordering, the cloud has helped bring the industry into the 21st century. Multinational investment bank Morgan Stanley has projected that by 2024, delivery services will comprise 20% of all restaurant business. That’s up 6% from pre-COVID estimates, launching the restaurant industry into a delivery frenzy. Let’s look at how restaurant cloud technology is being implemented in the industry nationwide, and the importance of maintaining and scaling a successful business.
Restaurant Cloud Technology Uses
Depending on your needs and business goals, there are several different ways to integrate restaurant cloud technology into your operation. Not all solutions will work for every operation, but the benefits of restaurant cloud technology are unrivaled. From the ability to access data anytime and anywhere to the freedom of not being locked into an annual contract, the cloud offers the flexibility many restaurant owners are looking for.
Online Delivery
Perhaps the most obvious implementation of restaurant cloud technology comes in the form of online delivery. Food delivery companies like DoorDash have migrated to a cloud-native solution, allowing the company to easily scale growth, track and analyze data on customers’ ordering habits, and cut costs across the board.
Ghost Kitchens
Another recent shift in the restaurant industry is the shift toward “ghost kitchens,” delivery-only storefronts. Ghost kitchens cut upfront costs because they have no dining space or servers, only a commercial kitchen from which food is produced exclusively for delivery.
One application of restaurant cloud technology is the platform ClusterTruck, which works in partnership with Kroger to expand customers’ access to affordable, high-quality meals. Delivery companies can use analytics to determine where the demand for such a service is high and accordingly establish low-cost kitchens to satisfy masses of delivery-hungry individuals.
Data Analysis
Without expert data analytics, it’s nearly impossible for businesses to take advantage of all that restaurant cloud technology has to offer. Improving operations and customer experience are at the front of every restaurateur’s mind, and skilled data scientists can help the food industry achieve its goals, from marketing to quality control to serving only the freshest food. Best of all, any analytical decisions can be preserved on the cloud, so those in charge have a comprehensive picture of their past business decisions when looking toward the future.
Inventory Management
It can be challenging to keep track of inventory, especially if you have several restaurants or a chain to manage. Restaurant cloud technology can manage inventory for you, allowing for seamless product transitions and upgrades.
The cloud can also store documents, software, servers, and any other tools you need to run your business. As long as employees have a login code, they’ll be able to access this information anytime and anywhere, making the cloud one of the tech trends transforming workspaces and the restaurant industry in particular. The information in your cloud can be used to inform things like your recipe viewer or to enhance your bin management system.
Marketing for a Better Customer Experience
Because restaurant cloud technology can automate so many of your daily processes, you’ll have more room to launch effective marketing campaigns and cater to the customers that are the lifeblood of your business. The power of the cloud can be harnessed to upload menus, document reviews, offer discounts and specials, and launch loyalty programs.
Those businesses that have made use of loyalty programs are reaping the benefits, with loyalty leaders able to grow revenues at least 2.5 times as fast as industry competitors. Furthermore, the addition of a “loyalty program to e-commerce platforms can increase average order quantity by over 300%.”
It follows that within the restaurant industry, similar gains can be had by leveraging data from digital platforms to improve marketing initiatives during and after COVID-19. Whether it’s determining the perfect time to send promotions or analyzing point-of-sale system data, the data stored on the cloud is key to maximizing a restaurant’s quality and profitability.
Secure Point-of-Sale
Security concerns are often a big point of concern for restaurants. Establishments may process hundreds of credit card transactions daily, and that’s not to mention the confidential employee and business information stored on your servers. Just one breach could mean ruin for your restaurant.
Restaurant-related scams can greatly impact your bottom line. Fortunately, restaurant cloud technology offers a far greater degree of security than internal servers or personal computers. With two-factor authentication and additional security safeguards, your data is as secure as can be on the cloud. Additionally, since the cloud isn’t stored at physical servers on the site of your restaurant, your data is less susceptible to natural disasters, thefts, and other unpredictable occurrences. The built-in backup is also a bonus in case of accidents.
Restaurant Cloud Technology Conclusion
With the right restaurant technology platform, cloud technology can directly benefit your operations. As restaurant cloud technology continues to grow in popularity and capabilities, it’s will become a permanent fixture in the industry. The security and analytical options are unrivaled amongst competitors, and the immediate benefits to the foodservice industry are obvious. Looking forward to the next couple of decades, cloud technology promises to be a useful tool in revolutionizing, running, and scaling restaurants worldwide.
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