Computers have revolutionized the food and beverage industry, as they have almost any other industry. Computers had positive, measurable effects on the front and back of hotel operations. Computer systems increase employee productivity, as well as the quality and consistency of food and beverages. In the food and beverage industry, it is no longer necessary to use technology, but rather the question of which technology to use? In the food and drink business, computers are here to stay.
In the hospitality industry, customer service is an absolute critical success factor. Computers help in this area in several ways. In many restaurants, waiting staff can handle various forms of payment for guest tables, allowing guests to leave directly from their desk without having to stop at a centralized monitoring station. This eliminated long, unsightly lines that annoy customers and disrupt traffic in food and beverage factories. This service is made possible through small hand-held computers that process transactions using credit cards using wireless technology or through remote point of sale systems that interact with the central computer system. It improves the customer experience, which should be the goal of any catering business.
The main problem of managing any food and beverage business is profit. In this vital area of business, computers have also proven to be an indispensable tool. Computer systems help manage the entire catering process from ordering the ingredients needed to produce menu items, to predict the number of items to prepare for each lunch period based on historical models. This helps reduce wasted products, which is very expensive and comes from the profits of enterprises. It also helps in preparing the menu items up to the hand, which shortens the client's waiting time. The computer can also accurately predict the volume of the expected business, which allows managers to properly serve their business. This is vital because too many staff on hand can consume an excess amount of wages, and the lack of a sufficient number of staff on hand will cause problems with customer service.
Computers are also used in very innovative ways for some food and beverages. For example, Darden Restaurants, which owns and operates the Red Lobster and Olive Garden networks, uses computers to help select new construction sites. This computer system uses software called site analyzer Darden. Program information contains important information needed to select a site, for example, demographics, distance to other restaurants, and customer information specific to the Darden business model. The program then analyzes the site and provides a series of reports to help Darden make the final decision. Darden plans to improve the software so that he can evaluate things as if the new Darden restaurant had a negative impact on other Darden restaurants in the same area.
Computer systems have become an integral part of all aspects of the food and beverage industry, they help in making purchasing decisions, managing inventory, planning and training employees, as well as acquiring and retaining customers. The leading indicator of this growing trend is the fact that many hospitality education programs now include computer and technology courses in the curriculum.
Every year, innovators create more unique ways of using technology to enhance overall commercial dining. Computers make home-dining a more enjoyable experience for the consumer and more profitable, manageable experience for business managers and owners.
(c) 2006, Marcus Barber
