IT systems for bars restaurants

These days bar and restaurant owners are aware of the advantages of IT systems. Soon all Hungarian restaurants will be operating an IT system and the market is happy to serve their needs. Users see the advantages in different features of these systems and the majority says they make their work easier. – Most restaurateurs prefer using systems that have been used and tested by fellow restaurant owners and proved useful. Instead of ads or official offers they like to meet in person, which also helps to do away with fears of learning how to use the new IT system installed – says Sándor Démy-Gerő, the managing director of Novohost Kft. Sándor Bagdi, the managing director of UCS Magyarország Kft. told us that partners often find them after the company was recommended to them by colleagues – these new customers refer to the success of solutions developed for other users, but they have their own specific needs. Zoltán Papp, Com-Passz Kft.’s managing director highlighted the fact that the domestic market was still highly price sensitive. Buyers are often lured to buy cheap solutions instead of those with a good price/value ratio. However, the lifetime guarantee that Com-Passz offers is attractive to customers because it also proves that they can rely on the company in the long term. According to Dávid Szabó, Szintézis Kft.’s strategic development director product advantages are the most convincing arguments for restaurateurs when choosing an IT system. For instance, complaints can be avoided if guests can see all the items they consumed on the receipt, which with a nice logo can actually look more aesthetic than a simple piece of paper. Ordering becomes more accurate and rapid by using handheld terminals or touchscreen PDAs. Waiters’ job is made easier if they enter system data by using a touchscreen monitor, and the receipt is automatically printed at the right place (kitchen, bar, etc.). System users have up to date turnover information any moment of the day and thanks to the Internet owners do not even have to be in the restaurant to follow the events. Prices of touchscreen monitors, handheld data collection devices and receipt printers are slowly going down, but new devices are still relatively expensive. Hardware tools were developed especially for restaurant use, e.g. POS terminals and receipt printers that resist heat and humidity. Old local systems are being replaced with web-hosting systems in both ordering and accounting. More and more often managers also use IP-camera systems to look into their ’investments’ through dedicated camera images. Digital menu cards can be interesting and practical features if placed on the terrace or at the entrance. By using handheld computers, fewer waiters are enough to serve guests more rapidly. However, because of their relatively high price Tablet PCs did not replace palm devices yet. Sándor Bagdi told our magazine that from time to time users can download modules developed according to the latest trends. Zoltán Papp sees a realistic chance for domestic demand for digital menu cards, which are built in tables and can be used for ordering as well. From Dávid Szabó we learned that Szintézis agrees with this: they are already looking for partners to install similar solutions. István Mérő, the managing director of Hotel Informatika Kft. sees the future in a complex restaurant system that works on iPod, iPhone and iPad. As for government-funded development, Sándor Démy-Gerő told Trade magazin that tenders and special loans were available last year, but the slow pace of payments lead to few actually realised projects. Now with Széchenyi II plan restaurant owners seem to be more optimistic in this field.