Technology provides business solutions
There was a time when the only "technological" device found in a tavern was a telephone. But along came juke boxes, pinball machines and televisions.
Later, some adopted electronic cash registers that maintained a printed record of transactions and offered some measure of control of the receipts.
These days, tavern/restaurants have available numerous technological solutions to aid better business operation.
These technologies can help attract and keep customers by entertaining them, speed ordering and efficiency, enhance safety and security, limit liability, maintain pricing integrity, keep employees and customers honest, deter crime, maintain accurate inventories, add to customer convenience, improve customer service and provide in-depth and highly informative reports on the financial performance of the enterprise.
And what is more amazing is how these technologies are now being interfaced.
Start with a high-speed Internet connection. This allows you to run your ATM and credit card processing system, operate video amusement devices (even link them to other venues for tournament play), provide wireless connections to customers who want to do a little browsing or computing on their laptops or iPads, is the means for downloading fresh jukebox selections, keeps an off-site owner or manager in direct touch with the business and more.
Satellite communications can provide hundreds of channels and pay-per-view entertainment events for your half dozen or more high-definition, flatscreen LCD televisions, some now over 60 inches!
Point-of-sale (P.O.S.) systems ad efficiencies at every level, help reduce losses, add accuracy, maintain proper pricing, offer more control over staff productivity and improve customer service.
Security systems help protect the owner, staff and customers, deter crime from within and without, are an impetus for employee productivity and allow owners to visually observe activity from virtually anywhere. Of course, you can ad panic buttons for staff to use when things are really hairy.
There are even fire, water, temperature and motion alarms that virtually allow an owner to observe conditions in the premise while the business is closed.
What is perhaps most amazing is how all this technology is now being integrated into complete systems, and how easy it is to find quality vendors for these systems.
Sure, you need quality equipment, but you also need qualified experts to accurately assess your business needs, engineer the solutions while allowing for future expansion and upgrades, do a proper installation, provide adequate training and then provide 24/7 support.
Fortunately, Montana has the companies that can do all this. But a business owner is wise to carefully check references. There are plenty of out-of-state and fly-by-night outfits that will gladly take your money, put in some second-rate equipment, then disappear when things go south.
Hence, the Montana Tavern Times is providing profiles on five of Montana's top hospitality business technology vendors on the following pages. Read the articles, perform your due diligence, then start enjoying the advantages – and new profits – that are the result of the latest technologies.