By Samantha Weller, Kobas: Technology has become a saving grace for many hospitality-led businesses during COVID-19, allowing them to reduce contact between service staff and customers through contactless ordering platforms such as Delivery, Click & Collect and Mobile Ordering applications.The hospitality industry has been one of the hardest hit by COVID-19. Kobas, a complete hospitality management provider, has continued to remain committed to the industry by delivering support and innovation to its clients where possible.
On the 23rd of March 2020, F&B businesses were ordered to close. The only exception was for those who could offer delivery services, meaning takeaways could remain open. This left many other businesses such as restaurants, pubs, cafes, and bars, either closing their doors temporarily or permanently, or finding ways to adapt to bring in revenue. After closely monitoring the situation, the team at Kobas decided to cut their client’s license fees by 80% and use their forward-thinking and efficient development approach to help hospitality businesses adapt.
The launch of their intuitive and cost-effective Online Ordering platform was the first result. As a branded, online web application that seamlessly connects with the Kobas EPoS and Cloud, the platform went onto (and continues to) help many of their existing clients during a very challenging time.
How? By providing operators with the tools required to manage delivery orders through one complete system. And, by helping their existing clients to get it set up quickly and at no additional cost.
A key date for those in the hospitality industry then came, the 4th of July. This day meant that hospitality establishments were able to open their doors again and welcome guests into their venue in a COVID secure way. The new way of dining included social distancing between tables, reduced contact between service staff and guests, the introduction of one-way systems, disposable paper menus and hand sanitization at the door.
With operators eager to begin business again and little time to plan their approach, this left many with ordering processes that were inefficient and/or expensive…
— Paper menus and a server taking orders as normal. This increased the interaction and table visits, something many wanted to avoid.
— Scanning a QR code that directed the guest to a PDF of the menu (to avoid handing hard copy menus out). From there, the customer would be required to text their order to a designated number. A time-consuming process for all involved.
— Ordering at the bar which equated to queues. Again, something that many wanted to avoid during a pandemic.
In this scenario, Mobile Ordering solutions were the answer. Some businesses already had this setup, using third-party platforms at an additional cost. However, Kobas wanted to ensure that their clients could use one seamlessly connected and cost-effective platform.
This is exactly what was achieved as the new ordering mode ‘To Table’ was released in early July. The new ordering mode meant that customers could place orders through a slick digital menu, straight from their mobile device. Guests simply scan the QR code on their table which then takes them to the digital menu, with no app download required. From there, they select their table number, add their order to the basket and checkout with ease. For F&B teams, that order is automatically sent to the Kobas EPoS and kitchen printers upon approval. Simple.
Over the remainder of July, the Kobas Online Ordering platform (which now features Delivery, Click & Collect and To Table), took close to £1m in sales, proving to be a hit with their clients and customers.
Next on the agenda, supporting operators with the Eat Out To Help Out discount throughout August. Kobas tackled this by developing a new payment type which takes into consideration the tricky rules and government subsidy. With special functionality attached to it, Kobas clients were able to utilize the new payment type in time for the 1st of August. Overall, making it easy to apply the discount accurately and at the tap of a button.
As it stands, the hospitality industry continues to adapt to different ways of working. Now, with new 10pm curfews, table service only and mandatory face masks. With uncertainty surrounding the near future for this industry, there is one thing that is certain for Kobas clients – the support they’ll receive from their technology partner.
Offer: No setup fee for the Online Ordering platform when joining Kobas
Learn more: https://web.kobas.co.uk/ukhoffer
| Exhibiting name: Kobas | |
| Stand number: C31 | |
| Website: www.kobas.co.uk |
