Leverage the potential of innovative POS Technology
In response to the huge technological shift in recent years when it comes to dine-in, delivery and takeaway, venues are under pressure to meet ever greater demand for convenience, choice and flexible ordering in an increasingly digital landscape. In order to thrive in what has become a progressively challenging operating environment, businesses can take advantage of unique and flexible solutions by investing in innovative POS technology and software tools.
Without a doubt, consumption habits are changing and eroding traditional ordering patterns. Moreover, the ubiquity of ordering platforms and delivery services is making consumers increasingly discerning in terms of the ordering systems they choose to use. With food and beverages being ordered on mobile apps or Click & Collect sites, the hospitality industry has had to adapt and turn to technologies in order to facilitate the shift. On the upside, this has provided new opportunities for operators to diversify and boost revenue.
Flexible and innovative Cloud technology allows businesses to successfully address challenges and opportunities in an omnichannel world. The rise in online ordering across multiple channels is resulting in greater demand for Cloud technologies such as Star CloudPRNT™. Available across a variety of Star thermal receipt and label printers as well as matrix kitchen printers, Star provides the largest range of multi-platform remote Cloud receipt and online ordering printers available today.
In particular, Star’s mC-Print™ series with built-in CloudPRNT technology is capable of printing remote orders and local print jobs via USB, LAN or Bluetooth connectivity for both mobile and fixed POS. Further demonstrating its versatility, this printer can be used both front of house and in the kitchen thanks to its IPX2 splashproof design and buzzer feature.
As the rise in online ordering across multiple channels is resulting in greater demand for self-service kiosks for ordering food and beverages, a printer that is equipped for remote printing of customer collection and delivery orders directly from a web server to connected printers located anywhere is a key requirement. Moreover, with remote functionality the printer can be managed from any location. Easy to install and maintain, the packaged mC-Print with its range of connectivity options provides a versatile solution for a variety of kiosk applications.
For labelling, the ability to print different sized and types of labels from one easy-to-use device including variable length food and allergy labels, nutrition information as well as food delivery labels and bag seals from web-based apps or local services is essential. The Star mC-Label printer offers the ideal solution thanks to its ability to print on a wide range of liner-free media including low adhesive ‘re-stick’ labels as well as high adhesive permanent and semi-permanent labels. It is also designed for traditional liner pre-sized labels and continuous label rolls and receipt paper.
With customer orders sent directly to the printer from an online ordering service or app, Star CloudPRNT increases order accuracy and eliminates the need for an additional tablet in the restaurant or bar. Moreover, Star CloudPRNT enabled printers are able to receive orders from multiple channels including fixed POS systems, mobile devices and tablets, networked as well as Cloud based systems which results in an efficient ordering and transaction process for any hospitality business.
For venues that prefer a fully managed CloudPRNT service, Star has introduced StarPrinter.Online, a dedicated service for businesses to manage the printer estate with minimal setup time and cost as well as near zero integration. Within minutes the receipt, label or order printer is connected to the online ordering system and can receive orders from a wide range of locations, allowing printing direct from an ordering website or even via email; order emails can be forwarded directly to the chef’s printer for preparation.
Providing enhanced online visibility of connectivity and print jobs, the service offers device management via an online dashboard to equip venues with an overview of all devices and activity including reliable tracking of print jobs with notification of device status changes, barcode scans, new device connections to a group, etc. Additional printers and peripherals can simply be added without the need for server upgrades, further enhancing the versatility of the service.
With no restrictions imposed by cabling and local networks, or limited Bluetooth ranges, StarPrinter.Online provides businesses worldwide with a central point to receive and manage orders anywhere with Internet access from customers using any kind of device in any location.
Star partners with a wide range of hospitality software companies globally who have integrated Star CloudPRNT technology. Dil Hussain, CEO at UK-based hospitality software provider Dines, explains how the technology helps to expand their offering to venues and the key benefits it provides: “With StarPrinter.Online, our clients are no longer limited to local networking and short ranged Bluetooth connections. Whatever their setup, wherever they may be in the world, StarPrinter.Online can support them. It’s never been easier to manage orders, no matter which channel they come from, and we have seen this technology thrive in a range of venues. With data on printer status, jobs in the queue, last online timestamps (and even if there’s a paper jam!), debugging issues and managing multiple printers completely online is now effortless thanks to StarPrinter.Online.”
Star’s experienced technical and integration teams can provide tailored advice for businesses of all sizes. For more information, visit www.Star-EMEA.com or call +44 (0)1494 471111.
Star will be exhibiting at Hospitality Tech Expo, ExCel London, 10-11 October 2023 on Stand J10.
